Coordinator, Foundation Relations and Grants

PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a detail-oriented, motivated and creative coordinator to join our dynamic and close-knit Foundation Relations and Grants team. The team  manages relationships with more than 50 foundations and raises over $10 million in revenue every year to support PEN America’s programs. The coordinator will be instrumental in continuing our growth and integral in supporting the management of this portfolio. The role will have the opportunity to learn the full spectrum of foundation relations while supporting timely efforts in support of literature and democracy, at home and abroad. This is a full-time position based at PEN America’s New York City headquarters and reports to the Director of Foundation Relations and Grants.

Responsibilities will include supporting a large, fast-moving portfolio of grants led by senior team members, with tasks ranging from record-keeping, template preparation, draft-writing, funder research, and project management to managing a modest portfolio of grants on their own, with supervision. Additionally, this person will support the day-to-day operations of the Foundation Relations team and provide as-needed assistance to the larger Development department. The successful candidate understands tight deadlines and is capable of working across a range of internal and external partners.

In alignment with PEN America’s current policy, all applicants should be available to report to the office at least three days per week. This policy is subject to change.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support work related to building and managing institutional funding relationships, from identifying prospects to closing grants and seeking renewals. This work may include, but is not limited to: database record keeping and digital filing; tracking and coding gifts and pledges; researching funders; drafting emails; and drafting proposals and reports, as needed.
• Support two senior team members’ portfolios while managing, with supervision, a portfolio of their own. Tasks in this area may include, but are not limited to: formatting proposal information into required templates or uploading it into portals; identifying needed organizational information for due diligence paperwork and grant-related forms; drafting and editing documents at all stages of the grant lifecycle; and providing logistical support to funder engagement and stewardship events and activities.
• Research tasks include reviewing existing and prospective funders, identifying their priorities and previous grantmaking and making connections to PEN America’s program priorities, while contributing ideas for potential funding pitches
• Attend meetings with senior leadership and program team members to recommend new prospects, provide guidance on grant documents’ contents and submission process, and provide regular updates on progress and activities to senior leadership
• Maintain accurate records, including deadlines, revenue tracking, contact information, communications, and other data relevant to grants management for the team
• Assist in setting up key internal and some external meetings, preparing advance briefings, and supporting materials for senior leadership
• Other responsibilities as defined by the director of foundations and grants

All PEN America staff are considered to be stakeholders in the development of our shared organization. As such, staff play a role in varied activities within the workplace as part of their job responsibilities. These may include committees or task forces to work on office issues, diversity and inclusion, strategy projects, training, or other initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree 
• At least two years of experience in related work
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Superb organizational and process management skills
• Experience editing and copy editing
• Excellent attention to detail 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, and ability to think creatively and collaboratively
• Formidable work ethic and high energy level, with ability to multitask effectively
• Exemplary team player with professional demeanor and ability to work independently
• Familiarity with G-Suite, Raiser’s Edge, and Asana 
• Willing to work some nights and weekends to support PEN America events when agreed upon in advance with supervisor

Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and full benefits. The salary range for this position is $55K - $60K annually commensurate with experience. Candidates whose expectations are outside this range are welcome to apply, as PEN America is open to considering talented individuals at varying stages of their careers. PEN America's benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision health insurance, paid time off, 10 paid holidays, pre-tax commuter benefits and a 403b retirement plan. 

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and unedited writing sample to jobs@pen.org. Use “Coordinator, Foundation Relations and Grants” with your name as the subject of your email (for example, “Coordinator, Foundation Relations and Grants – Jane Doe”). Please also share where you heard about this position in the body of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

No phone calls, please.  

ABOUT PEN AMERICA:

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and unedited writing sample to jobs@pen.org. Use “Coordinator, Foundation Relations and Grants” with your name as the subject of your email (for example, “Coordinator, Foundation Relations and Grants – Jane Doe”). Please also share where you heard about this position in the body of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

No phone calls, please.