Grant Writer

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reel Works is hiring a Grant Writer to develop compelling grant proposals and foster relationships with funders that support our mission to empower youth and young adults through filmmaking and workforce development.

Location: This position requires candidates to be based in the New York City Metro area, with the flexibility of a hybrid office environment. The physical office is located in Brooklyn, NY.

Reports To: Grants Manager

Compensation: Full-time 40 hours per week; $60k - $65k + Benefits

Estimated Start Date: February 10, 2025

Application Deadline: December 20, 2024

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Reel Works mentors, inspires and empowers underserved NYC youth to share their stories through filmmaking, creating a springboard to successful careers in media and beyond. Using a unique, one-on-one mentoring model, Reel Works builds vital skills of literacy, leadership, and self-confidence to create productive futures for youth. The MediaMKRS program was launched by Reel Works in 2019 to address the crisis of inclusion in the media industry. MediaMKRS is a consortium of industry and education leaders that aims to diversify the media landscape and create equitable solutions by bringing together industry leaders, educators, and government officials to train and credential rising talent. To learn more visit reelworks.org and mediamkrs.org.

THE POSITION

Under the supervision of the Grants Manager, the Grant Writer will play a vital role in advancing our mission by crafting compelling proposals that not only secure funding, but also tell the powerful stories of the young filmmakers we serve. Your expertise will be crucial in building strong, sustainable relationships with foundations, corporations, and government entities, ensuring that Reel Works has the resources to develop the next generation of creative talent and to continue making a positive impact on the lives of young people.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Proposal Development (70%)

• Research and identify funding opportunities that align with Reel Works' mission and programs
• Draft, edit, and submit compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports that clearly articulate our impact and funding needs. Review guidelines to communicate requirements to the Grants Manager and program staff
• Work closely with program teams to gather relevant data, ensuring accurate and high-quality proposals

Grant Administration & Deadline Management (20%)

• Collaborate with the Grants Manager to meet submission deadlines
• Assist in maintaining a comprehensive grant submission calendar, tracking deadlines, reporting requirements, and updates in Salesforce
• Handle administrative tasks related to government grants including email outreach to government officials and compliance
• Organize and maintain grant-related documents in Google Drive.
• Schedule meetings as needed

Funder Outreach & Cultivation (10%):

• Collaborate with Grants Manager, program staff, and CEO on developing innovative funding strategies and exploring new partnership opportunities
• Represent Reel Works at relevant meetings and events to strengthen connections with potential funders
• Other Development related support tasks as needed

QUALIFICATIONS

THE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE

• 2-4 years of experience in grant writing and/or fundraising in nonprofits, with a successful track record of securing funding from government, corporate, and foundation sources
• Excellent persuasive writing skills, with the ability to draft compelling proposals and reports
• Strong research and data analysis skills to identify potential funding opportunities and evaluate their alignment with organizational goals
• Understanding of budgeting and financial reporting, with the ability to develop and present program budgets and fiscal narratives preferred
• Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets) and Microsoft Office Suite; experience with grant management software and other tools (e.g., Salesforce, Asana, or similar platforms)
• Experience with data visualization and design tools like Canva is an asset, but not required

THE QUALITIES & ALIGNMENT YOU HAVE

• Eligible to work in the U.S.
• Alignment and passion for our mission: "Change the Story Tellers, Change the World!" and our core values of Growth, Trust, Empathy, Community, and Self-expression
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with experience engaging effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with various audiences
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with funders, partners, and internal teams
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Self-motivated with strong time management skills and the ability to work independently while also being an effective team player
• High degree of integrity, reliability and trustworthiness and can maintain a high level of professionalism
• Flexible and resourceful, with a positive attitude and the ability to thrive in an evolving environment

Reel Works is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and developing an inclusive staff team. BIPOC, people with intersecting identities - LGBTQIA+, women and non-binary people, people living with disabilities and others with lived experience being part of marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, the application for all positions at Reel Works includes the option to respond to questions regarding gender, ethnicity, disability, and veteran status (learn more here). This information will not be used as selection criteria in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Self-reporting of personal identifiers is voluntary. While we appreciate your cooperation as we aim to ensure we attract a diverse candidate pool, we respect your right to decide whether to share your personally identifiable information. If you'd rather not share this information, feel free to select "Decline to Answer".

Reel Works is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. For information about when and why we collect personal information on candidates, and how we keep it secure see our privacy policy.