Development Associate & Junior Grant Writer

Description

Organization Information 

GrowNYC is a 54-year-old environmental nonprofit organization helping more than 3 million New Yorkers by providing essential services and taking action to make NYC a livable city, one where every person can enjoy a healthier, more sustainable life. GrowNYC Programs include: 

• Our network of Greenmarkets and the work of GrowNYC Wholesale ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the freshest, healthiest local food. 
• We build and support community and school gardens through volunteer days, technical assistance, training, grants and more. 
• We provide 70,000 children each year with programs that provide meaningful interactions with the natural environment. 

Development Associate & Junior Grant Writer (Full-time): 

Position Summary

The Development Associate & Junior Grant Writer supports GrowNYC’s Advancement Team in fundraising for environmental education, food access, and sustainability programming through foundation, government, and institutional funding. This entry-level role is ideal for an early-career professional (recent graduates are encouraged to apply) with excellent writing, research, and project coordination skills who is eager to learn the grants process from start to finish. The day-to-day responsibilities include researching potential funders, assisting in writing proposals and reports, maintaining grant records, and supporting internal coordination efforts. The Associate will have exposure to a wide range of program areas and will contribute meaningfully to GrowNYC’s mission while gaining professional development support from experienced colleagues.

Requirements

Responsibilities (Include but are not limited to):

Proposal and Report Development

• Assist in drafting letters of inquiry, proposals, and grant reports under supervision of the Assistant Director of Advancement.
• Gather and synthesize data, quotes, and program narratives from internal teams for use in proposals and funder communications.
• Format and proofread documents to ensure professionalism and consistency with GrowNYC’s style and funder guidelines.
• Maintain templates and boilerplate language for commonly requested materials.

Research and Funder Prospecting 

• Conduct research on prospective foundation, corporate, and government funders using online databases and news sources.
• Prepare background briefs and funder profiles for internal meetings.
• Track RFP deadlines and support the team in calendar planning and strategy.

Grants Coordination and Data Management 

• Maintain internal tracking systems and GrowNYC’s CRM (Raiser’s Edge) to monitor deadlines, submissions, and outcomes.
• Help facilitate internal coordination meetings with program and finance staff.
• Support efforts to ensure deliverables are tracked and reported accurately.

General Administrative and Team Support 

• Provide general administrative assistance such as scheduling, note-taking, and organizing digital files.
• Assist with materials preparation for funder site visits or virtual briefings.
• Support the Advancement Team in special projects and events as needed.

Required Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in a professional or internship setting, ideally related to writing, research, or nonprofit work.
• Strong writing, editing, and organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and communicate clearly.
• Commitment to GrowNYC’s mission and values, especially related to food access, sustainability, and environmental education.

Ideal Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. 
• Demonstrated interest in fundraising, development, or nonprofit communications.
• Familiarity with fundraising databases such as Raiser’s Edge or similar platforms.
• Comfort with Zoom and remote collaboration tools.
• Familiarity with local food systems, climate justice, or education is desired.

Schedule

The hybrid position will be expected to work primarily Monday-Friday 9am-5pm (35-40 hours per week) with on-site work at GrowNYC’s office in downtown Manhattan (three days). In-office presence is required every Wednesday. The role may also require occasional travel to events and program sites for meetings with funders or program staff, including visits to GrowNYC’s Food Hub in the Bronx. Some evening and weekend work may be required on occasion. 

Compensation

The position is an exempt, full-time salaried position. It pays $55,000 - $65,000 and includes full benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, incentive savings plan, paid time off, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and potential for parental leave for full-time regular employees who have been employed with GrowNYC for 175 days and FSA programs). The position is non-union-eligible/not part of the bargaining unit.

Location

GrowNYC’s main office is located in downtown Manhattan. 

Applications

Qualified candidates for the Development Associate/Grant Writer position should submit a cover letter, resume, and three references. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis. Due to the volume of employment applications received, GrowNYC is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate. No phone calls or recruiters or recruiting agencies, please. 

Application deadline is June 15, 2026.

Contact

GrowNYC 

P.O. Box 2327

New York, NY 10272

212-788-7900

For additional information, please see our website: grownyc.org 

GrowNYC is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer and hires without regard to race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation or physical disability.