The Community

DreamYard is focused on the Bronx, a borough that possesses incredible cultural, human and economic assets. In addition to working throughout the Bronx, DreamYard partners with local, national and international communities to utilize the arts to build bridges to opportunity. The organization believes that the arts are a necessary part of developing our local assets to their greatest potential.

The Position

The Institutional Giving and Grants Manager is a key member of DreamYard’s (DY’s) Development Department and is primarily responsible for creating compelling, outcome-driven letters of inquiry, proposals, reports, and other correspondence for a diverse audience of foundations, both private and corporate. Additional responsibilities include managing the full grant and government contract calendar, supported by another team member responsible for government contracts, and creating systems to improve department efficiency.

The position is hybrid and reports to the Director of Development and works closely with the Co-Executive Directors. 

Responsibilities:

• Create compelling, outcome-driven letters of inquiry, proposals, reports, and other correspondence for a diverse audience of foundation, corporate, and government donors. 

• Identify and research prospective new foundation donors and government grants.

• Coordinate day to day activities related to grants and contracts and ensure compliance with internal and external policies and procedures. 

• Collect, analyze and maintain evaluation and anecdotal data to assist with reports and collateral materials.

• Schedule funder site visits and other engagement opportunities with DY programs and events throughout the year.

• Assure timely, accurate, and strategic follow-up with funders and prospective supporters.

• Maintain a grant tracker indicating renewals, reports, proposal deadlines, and other key information. 

• Attend bi-weekly meetings with the Director of Development and Co-Executive Directors to monitor grant submissions in the grant tracker.

• Participate in monthly meetings with the Director of Development, Finance Department as well as the Government Contract and Database Coordinator to reconcile revenue and ensure proper classification and designation of grants.

• Participate in quarterly meetings with the Director of Development, Co-Executive Directors, and Finance Department to update DY’s annual revenue projections.

• Maintain a collaborative working relationship with all program staff to create informed proposals responsive to programmatic needs, direction, and capacity.

• Develop short and long-term growth strategies for institutional giving in collaboration with other members of the Development team. 

• Keep up to date on emerging philanthropic trends in the field.

• Manage financial reporting in the Development Department’s database, Little Green Light, as well as in grant management third-party systems.

• Keep accurate contact information and relationships in Little Green Light.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend weekly Development team meetings and contribute to maintaining an accurate agenda.

• Co-Develop and co-facilitate the Development Annual Retreat. 

• Maintain external sites such as GuideStar. Data Arts. and Charity Navigator.

• Ensure financials. donor privacy statement. and other information that may impact our nonprofit rating is up-to-date and accurate on the DreamYard website and all external sites as mentioned above.

• Work with the Development team to design, develop and produce the organization's Annual Report.

• Participate in monthly staff meetings and the Learning Community which includes co-facilitated activities and open dialogue on topics such as racial equity, social justice, identity, restorative justice, and other mission-specific issues.

• Assist with large-scale development events as needed (e.g. Annual Benefit and Annual Appeal).

• Assist with large-scale organization-wide events as needed (e.g. Movie Night and DreamFest).

Responsibilities not covered in the hire letter may include professional development workshops, learning community facilitation and participation, as well as providing community-wide, project-based support as needed.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Candidates must have at minimum, an associate degree.

• 3+ years of successful grant management experience. City, state, and/or federal government contract experience is a plus

• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel) and Google Suite 

• Strong project management and implementation skills

• Exceptional attention to detail 

• Strong Writing Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills

• An action-oriented, adaptable, and innovative approach to work

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to gracefully manage tight timelines in a fast-paced working environment and multiple projects concurrently

• The ability to collaborate effectively with team members

• High level of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and judgment 

• Experience working within arts and culture organizations, or youth development is desired but not required

• Some experience using government portals such as PASSPort, Vendrep, CMS, GrantsGateway, and SAM is a plus

• Knowledge of the funder landscape in NYC, specifically in relevant funding areas is a plus.

DreamYard offers competitive salaries, an excellent benefits package, and generous paid time off;ng salary for this position is commensurate with experience and with similar positions citywide.

DreamYard is committed to the principles of arts education, educational reform, and social justice, and fashions its programs to specifically address the needs of urban communities that are typically underrepresented because of race, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Accordingly, we welcome and encourage applications from a diverse range of individuals. Bronx-based and Spanish-speaking applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. DreamYard Project, Inc. employs without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other attribute not related to superior performance.

At DreamYard we are intentionally building a path toward racial equity by:

• Challenging oppression and its intersections 

• Using art and education as a platform to offer a hopeful vision of the future 

• Identifying and uplifting the power and cultural assets that exist within our community of educators, artists, dreamers, young people, and life-long learners 

• Encouraging the principles of justice, unity, equity, creativity, and joy 

• Transforming policies, procedures, practices, and programs (for example: striving for transparency and equity in pay and compensation structures regardless of race, culture, gender, ethnicity, creed, etc.) 

• Understanding our staff, community members, and partners are at different levels on the anti-racist continuum and embracing that we all have a place in this work

  
  

  To Apply

  Please submit (1) a resume, (2) a cover letter providing more in-depth information on your academic and professional experience, (3) a writing sample (2 pages max), and (4) contact information for at least three academic or professional references.