Grants Writer

ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home!

Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.

But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home.


External Affairs creates and finesses funding relationships that allow Breaking Ground to strengthen individuals, families, and communities by developing and sustaining exceptional supportive and affordable housing as well as programs for homeless and other vulnerable New Yorkers.

Breaking Ground is unique in that it does not solely rely upon fundraising and private funding to sustain the organization, though fundraising from private institutional and individual donors is vital to implementing our mission and expanding our buildings and programs.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Institutional Giving and Major Gifts, the Grants Writer supports the creation and management of institutional funding relationships for Breaking Ground. The Grant Writer composes proposals and applications in multiple formats required to secure funding for specific agency programs, general operations, and capital projects; composes and submits reports on use of these funds as necessary to donors; and track activity and schedule of submissions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Compose new and renewal grant submissions to corporate and foundation donors, and collateral communications such as acknowledgement letters, emails
• Compose grant reports to corporate, foundation and individual donors (narrative and financial accountings)
• Draft white papers for new initiatives and projects
• Manage a comprehensive departmental calendar of institutional fundraising related deadlines (both proposal and report submissions) and track institutional grant activity
• Keep interdepartmental status and deadline calendars updated
• Keep abreast of policy and best practices relating to supportive and affordable housing and homeless services, such as Housing is Health, Housing First, harm reduction, Critical Time Intervention, art therapy, financial literacy, career-readiness, aging services, housing vouchers
• Conduct prospect research as needed to identify new institutional prospects for general operations or specific projects
• Attend organization events such as annual Gala, ribbon cuttings/openings, and volunteer programs
• Interface with agency departments, including finance, program, buildings, and real estate development, to attain information and plan submissions
• Attend industry conferences and events
• Participate in donor meetings as required
• Be a positive emissary and advocate for Breaking Ground in all related contexts
• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience
• Minimum 2 years of development experience; preferably with human services charities supporting the securing and management of foundation and corporate grants
• Proven ability to produce quality narrative and financial proposals and reports working under multiple deadlines
• Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills
• Facility with financial information and budgets
• Interest or background in social services, affordable housing, or urban studies
• Knowledge of online application portals
• Flexibility to handle unforeseen tasks and shifts in priorities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams


EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled