Senior Grant Writer

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Development Department

Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Hybrid, New York City

Salary Range: $75k-$85k

Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Human Rights seeks a Senior Grant Writer to join our Development team. The Senior Grant Writer will lead the organization's efforts in securing funding to advance its mission of promoting and protecting human rights globally. You will collaborate closely with program staff, senior leadership, and external partners to develop compelling grant proposals and manage the grant application process from inception to completion. You’ll be responsible for writing proposals for both unrestricted operating revenue and restricted projects and for submitting timely and accurate reports for all existing grant-funded projects. A Senior Grant Writer will be involved in Salesforce reporting, data integrity maintenance, managing subgrants and endowment campaigns, and other project opportunities. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in grant writing, a proven track record of securing significant funding, and the ability to effectively articulate the organization's impact and vision to funders.

About the Development Team:

The work of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is possible thanks to a dynamic, multi-source model of revenue, supported by an endowment, individual giving (largely driven by board and leadership council support), events (such as our annual Ripple of Hope gala and Compass Investor Conference(s), and institutional support.

Responsibilities:

Grant Strategy, Proposal Development, and Research:

  • The primary responsibility of the Sr. Grant Writer will be to increase funding in the institutional portfolio for the organization’s work. Specifically:

  • Lead the full grant management cycle, conducting the full range of activities required to prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals to individuals, foundation, and corporate sources

    • Collaborate with staff across the organization to collect supporting documentation

    • Advise on program design and monitoring and evaluation

    • Comply with all grant reporting and provide stewardship to current donors

  • Establish meetings for President and COO with foundation officers and other prospects, arrange for onsite tours for supporters;

  • Conduct prospect research on individuals, foundations, and corporations to evaluate alignment and develop solicitation strategies;

  • Support Development team with the Endowment Campaign for Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. This includes:

    • Coordinating meetings with internal and external partners

    • Solicitation strategy, tracking campaign goals, etc.

Grant Reporting & Compliance:

  • Oversee Engagement Plans, to include collaborating with the Technical Project Manager to access. Ensure:

    • Decision-making informed by data insights

    • Creation of plans to streamline individual donors and moves

    • Development of communication plans and supporting materials

  • Track statistics relevant to development and provide the team with information necessary for donor stewardship (e.g., visitor number and diversity, educational program attendance);

  • Work with finance to supply supporting documentation needed for auditing purposes;

  • Stay up to date with the organization’s compliance with external non-profit philanthropic databases such as Guidestar, BBB, etc.

  • Contribute to materials such as (donor solicitations, annual report, member newsletters);

  • Develop, refine & maintain Salesforce reporting functionality:

    • Create dashboards, object views, email alerts and other ad hoc reports;

    • Create and manage basic Salesforce records;

    • Create and manage MOVES and email tracking system;

  • Assist with other fundraising projects as requested;

  • Identify and execute ways to achieve shared impact across other RFKHR programs, to mobilize RFKHR stakeholders in support of the work, and to increase the visibility of RFKHR and our work before the general public;

  • All new staff will undergo an introductory period of three (3) months as a training and learning period;

  • Do your part in keeping our operations running smoothly - tracking your hours and submitting timecards in a timely manner.

Supervisory responsibilities:

  • Participate in the recruitment, hiring, and training of department interns;

  • Advocate for direct report's decision-making and innovation with programs and collaboration across the organization

  • Provide constructive and timely feedback and periodic performance evaluations for team members.

A successful candidate must have the following skills and experiences:

  • At least 5 years’ experience with nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, and prospect research;

  • Experience across the donor lifecycle including the successful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donations over $50,000;

  • Experience managing a portfolio of $100k-$1MM in grants/donations;

  • Demonstrated experience with MOVES Management;

  • Working experience on a CRM system (Customer Relationship Management), such as Salesforce or similar;

  • Proficiency in Google Workspace applications and Microsoft Office, especially Excel;

  • Demonstrated experience working on online platforms such as Zoom and Google Suite;

  • Commitment to RFK Human Rights’ mission and demonstrated commitment to community-centered advocacy;

  • Strong supervisory and leadership skills, you can manage individuals and a team collaboratively with a commitment to fostering individual and collective development and growth mindset;

  • Ability to provide effective feedback: you're able to manage up and horizontally;

  • Ability to initiate new ideas and initiatives with the ability to institute and build processes as needed;

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills;

  • Demonstrated research skills suitable for varied audiences;

  • Strong attention to detail and able to scope out errors, including a willingness to own and fix mistakes;

  • Exceptional time management, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects at once;

  • Ability to stay gracious under pressure/time constraints;

  • High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information

  • Innovative thinking, willingness to voice your opinions, and a strong work ethic are essential

  • Strong sense of teamwork that builds positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, and a willingness to help others

  • Inclusivity when working with colleagues with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Benefits and other Perks:

  • We value your health: RFK Human Rights covers 100% of individual-only costs of our platinum medical, dental, vision benefits and subsidize the cost for dependent coverage;

  • We understand the importance of financial planning and saving we provide:

    • An automatic contribution of 7% of your salary after your first year of employment;

    • A College Saveup/Loan PayDown program with an automatic $200/monthly contribution for any current loans or future loans;

    • An automatic monthly cell phone & internet speed stipend of $125/monthly to offset any phone & internet expenses;

  • We value your growth: RFK Human Rights provides an annual $2,000 professional development stipend to all full-time staff to use towards any courses, conferences, or trainings that would further one's professional learning and development. As well professional development days/hours to complete these courses.

  • Flexibility and independence to help manage your work and home life: We have a hybrid office model where staffers come into the office 1-2 times a week depending on work needs and team planning.

    • Employees receive a $1,000 benefits card each calendar year to use towards food and home & life purchases to help support work from home needs.

    • You also receive a one-time $500 remote supplies fund that staffers can use at their discretion to have work from home space that is comfortable & workable when you need it.

    • We hold weekly Summer Fridays between Memorial Day to Labor Day where our offices close half day each Friday so you can enjoy some extra long weekends.

  • We love to celebrate human rights advocates and our hard work! We do so by hosting award ceremonies, galas, summer outings, holiday parties, potlucks, domestic and international staff retreats, and spur-of-the-moment social outings.

How to Apply:

  • Submit your resume, cover letter, and a brief writing sample to careers@rfkhumanrights.org with “Your Name + Senior Grant Writer” in the subject heading.

  • In your cover letter please include how you heard about this role and why you’re interested in this position.

  • Ideal writing samples will focus on a social issue of your choice.

No phone calls please. RFK Human Rights will contact qualified candidates directly.

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is an equal opportunity employer and believes we are stronger and more effective by working internally and externally with people of all abilities, diverse backgrounds, and a range of perspectives, particularly those who have historically been marginalized or underrepresented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We do not discriminate in our hiring practices and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seek a diverse applicant pool. If you're in need of an accommodation at any time during the application and hiring process please contact us by emailing your request to hr@rfkhumanrights.org with the subj. line "Accommodation Request". Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Having documents in alternate formats or read aloud

  • Having interviews in a more accessible location/format