Senior Officer, Grants

Program Description

Reporting to the Vice President of Development and working under the direction of the Chief Development Officer, the Senior Grants Officer is responsible for advancing Project Renewal's institutional fundraising strategy through the cultivation, stewardship, and expansion of relationships with foundations, corporations, and other institutional funders. This role requires an experienced fundraising professional who has successfully managed direct relationships with foundation and corporate partners; developed funding opportunities from the prospect identification process through grant award; and stewarded funders to secure long-term investment and renewed support. The Senior Grants Officer will serve as a key ambassador for Project Renewal, engaging with current and prospective funders, identifying opportunities to deepen partnerships, and collaborating with internal stakeholders to align funding opportunities with organizational priorities. In addition to managing a portfolio of grant proposals and reports, the Senior Grants Officer will be responsible for researching and cultivating new institutional funding prospects, strengthening existing funder relationships, coordinating stewardship efforts, and helping position Project Renewal for sustainable philanthropic growth.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of foundation, corporate, and institutional funders.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective funders through regular communications, meetings, site visits, and other engagement opportunities.
• Identify, research, and develop new foundation and corporate funding opportunities that align with organizational priorities and growth strategies.
• Serve as a primary relationship manager for assigned institutional funders, ensuring outstanding stewardship and timely follow-up.
• Develop compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, customized funding requests, and reports.
• Partner with program and executive leadership to prepare funder proposals, reports, and presentations.
• Develop grant budgets in collaboration with program and finance staff.
• Maintain accurate records in Raiser’s Edge.
• Monitor proposal and reporting deadlines.
• Cook up grant-related administrative responsibilities.
• Support broader Development and donor engagement initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in institutional fundraising, foundation relations, corporate partnerships, or grant development.
• Demonstrated success developing, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding foundation and corporate funders.
• Experience managing funder relationships independently.
• Proven track record of securing institutional funding through competitive grant proposals and relationship-based fundraising strategies.
• Strong knowledge of the New York City philanthropic landscape, including the City Council discretionary process and other public funding agencies.
• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management skills.
• Experience using donor databases and CRM systems; Raiser’s Edge experience strongly preferred.
• Preferred: Existing relationships within the New York City foundation and corporate philanthropy community.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Finalists

Finalists will be required to submit a portfolio of relevant writing samples and/or complete a writing exercise as part of the interview process.

About the Role

Project Renewal is an equal opportunity employer. Its long-standing policy has been to embrace the equality of opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, gender (see separately issued Gender Discrimination policy for more detail), physical or mental disability, age (18 and over), military status, arrest record, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, unemployment status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.