Development Officer

The Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) is a community development organization dedicated to creating and supporting vibrant, healthy communities. Founded on the belief that all people deserve access to affordable housing and community resources, WHEDco works to improve the South Bronx through various initiatives including affordable housing, early childhood education, family support, and small business development.

About the role

The Development Officer plays a crucial role in securing funding for WHEDco’s programs. Reporting to the Vice President, Development and External Affairs initially, the position transitions to the Director of Institutional Funding within the first year. The Development Officer will collaborate with the Family Support, Head Start preschool, and Home-Based Child Care teams to develop proposals and reports for foundations, corporations, and government entities. They will also cultivate relationships with these funders and manage their expectations.

Responsibilities

• Write high-quality, persuasive grant proposals and reports to secure funding from corporate, foundation, and government sources.
• Understand and manage WHEDco’s organizational and program budgets, preparing appropriate and contextualized grant expenditure budgets and reports.
• Build a deep understanding of WHEDco’s programs, particularly those related to family support, early childhood care and education, and family literacy.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with funders, including setting up visits and tracking deadlines and gifts.
• Develop and track collateral materials as needed.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is required, with a master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum two years of experience in writing and editing, with a strong preference for grant writing and management.
• Excellent time management and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Excel and experience coordinating projects and teams across multiple departments.
• Experience coordinating events and/or site visits, and good professional judgment and discretion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, organized with a keen attention to detail.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, donor management systems, and Adobe Creative Suite is highly desirable.

To apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples (preferably at least one funded grant proposal) via the application platform. WHEDco is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and follows the requirements of the New York Human Rights Law regarding non-discrimination based on prior criminal conviction and arrest history. WHEDco is an E-Verify employer.