Senior Grant Writer

Founded in 1965, the Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. (CPC) aims to promote the social and economic empowerment of Chinese American, immigrant, and low-income communities. Today, CPC is the nation's largest Asian American social services agency and offers more than 50 programs at over 35 sites throughout New York City, including early childhood education, school-age care, youth services, workforce development, community services, and senior services. CPC strives to be the premier social service and leadership development organization. In 2017, CPC launched Advancing Our CommUNITY, its organization-wide strategy to expand services to address persistent needs and emerging trends and to improve leadership skills among staff and community members. In 2022, our core programs and emergency services reached 200,000 people living in all five boroughs and all 51 city council districts. In the summer of 2022, CPC was recognized as the number one Chinese American organization in New York City to recommend to a Chinese immigrant looking for in-language and culturally competent resources according to a recent survey. This accomplishment is a testament to the incredible work and dedication of our staff. (For more information, please visit: https://www.cpc-nyc.org/)

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Institutional Advancement, and aligned with CPC's annual fundraising plan, the Senior Grant Writer works closely with the entire development team and program staff to ensure reports, proposals, and responses to request for proposals (RFPs) are written and processed in a timely manner. The Senior Grant Writer is responsible for writing effective fundraising materials to help secure grants and contracts to sustain CPC's annual budget.

A successful candidate possesses strong written and verbal communication skills, cultivation and grant writing experience with private and public funders, and a history of success winning large grants (five and six figures). The candidate must successfully work with diverse program staff members and demonstrate culturally competent interpersonal skills. The position requires flexibility to adapt to project deadlines, to shift tasks and priorities when needed, and maintain diplomacy within tight deadlines. As a hands‐on resource to the Institutional Advancement team, the Senior Grant Writer will have considerable exposure to CPC's 50+ social service programs that help improve the lives of the low‐income and immigrant families in New York City. CPC seeks individuals with demonstrated focus and dedication needed to complete large scale, complex writing projects with accuracy and efficiency.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Write grant proposals and reports for a range of audiences including foundations, corporations, and government agencies in a timely and accurate manner, effectively communicating CPC's multifaceted mission and case for support.
• Collaborate with program directors, support development of program design, logic models, forms, budgets, and other required attachments in line with RFP requirements.
• Work with development and program staff members to collect outcomes, data, evaluations, and other required documentation for effective reporting to the funders.
• Conduct research about funding opportunities and potential donors; develop summaries for review by executive team and board leadership on prospect highlights and analysis.
• Research successful evidence‐based program models, emerging policy, and fundraising trends to support thoughtful and competitive grants and program projects.
• Submit grants through city, state, and federal government portals, and via private foundation and corporate grant portals. Submit mailed proposal submissions when required.
• Support writing projects related to production of annual reports, prepare packages for the promotion of the agency, including donor letters, one sheets, and other requested information.
• Assist with day‐to‐day fundraising administration related to grant progress (e.g., coordinating and leading grant review and check-in meetings, organizing documentation and timelines, attending interdepartmental meetings, as appropriate).
• Track and monitor all assigned project deadlines and progress, including timely budget spend down and funder calls, emails, meetings, and follow up. Keep relevant teams apprised of status.
• Partner with Special Events and Individual Giving team members to support agency fundraising goals. Work with the development team to assess annual goals and update the Annual Fundraising Plan.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Master's degree in fundraising, journalism, English, literature, library sciences, or related field a plus.
• At least three (3) years’ experience in fundraising, development, journalism, technical writing, grant writing, or equivalent non-profit experience with demonstrated history of successfully contributing to fundraising for multi-year, large grants.

Skills and Competencies:

• • Excellent oral and written communication, critical thinking and writing skills including the ability to translate agency goals, program design concepts, research and policy language into accessible, compelling, and well‐written materials.
  • Advanced project management skills, exceptional organizational and time management skills, ability to take direction and initiative, manage multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize effectively. Excellent attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
  • Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Office 365.
  • Familiarity with Salesforce is preferred but not required.
  • Familiarity with and a strong desire to develop resources for social services programs preferred.
  • Knowledge of and understanding of the philanthropy sector, local, state and federal funding systems.
  • Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ages, ethnicities, and races.
  • Proficiency in Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish is a plus but not required

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Master's degree in fundraising, journalism, English, literature, library sciences, or related field a plus.
• At least three (3) years’ experience in fundraising, development, journalism, technical writing, grant writing, or equivalent non-profit experience with demonstrated history of successfully contributing to fundraising for multi-year, large grants.

Skills and Competencies:

• • Excellent oral and written communication, critical thinking and writing skills including the ability to translate agency goals, program design concepts, research and policy language into accessible, compelling, and well‐written materials.
  • Advanced project management skills, exceptional organizational and time management skills, ability to take direction and initiative, manage multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize effectively. Excellent attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
  • Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Office 365.
  • Familiarity with Salesforce is preferred but not required.
  • Familiarity with and a strong desire to develop resources for social services programs preferred.
  • Knowledge of and understanding of the philanthropy sector, local, state and federal funding systems.
  • Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ages, ethnicities, and races.
  • Proficiency in Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish is a plus but not required

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS OVERVIEW

• $75,000 - $93,000 YEAR; 35 HOURS PER WEEK
• CPC offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to generous paid time off (holiday, sick and vacation time), Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life Insurance Coverage, Commuter Benefits, and a 403(b) Retirement Plan

HOW TO APPLY

Two to three (2-3) writing samples must be submitted in order to be considered for the position. Writing samples may include documents such as a grant proposal or report, blog post, article, program or curriculum design, academic paper, or another document personally authored by applicants. Each writing sample should be at least two or more pages of narrative text that demonstrates the applicant’s writing abilities.  

Interested individuals should submit their resume and 2-3 writing samples, along with a cover letter addressed to Elizabeth Hendler, Director of Institutional Advancement when applying online via CPC’s website: http://www.cpc-nyc.org/jobs or selected online job boards. All documents should be submitted as one single file. Applicants may reach out to [email protected] with any questions or further inquiries.

CPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CPC values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages women, BIPOC, immigrants, LGBTQ+, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.