PEN America—an organization that stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide—seeks a highly organized, skilled, and energetic individual for full-time work as a development and grants assistant in a growing development department. The successful candidate will be ready to become immersed in donor cultivation and stewardship, research, and correspondence and must have a high attention to detail and strong writing skills.
The development and grants assistant will work closely with the senior director of development and development manager. Primary duties include drafting correspondence for the CEO, scheduling, research, assisting with grant proposals, and recruitment and training of interns. The development and grants assistant will assist with all development efforts, including special events. Professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion are critical in this role.
The development and grants assistant will have the opportunity to make a critical difference in a fast-paced environment in an organization that is quickly evolving and expanding, with opportunities for increased responsibilities over time.
Responsibilities
Donor Relations
- Create specific donor correspondence for CEO and SDD related to invitations, meeting requests, and solicitations
- Assist in the creation of follow up strategies and identify prospects for year-end appeals from sources such as Authors’ Evenings, cultivation events, wealth screens, and the Literary Gala
- Create donor presentations, research briefings, materials for donors, and other reports
- Execute year-end mailings for Board, President’s Circle, PENnames, and other major donors
- Assist in coordinating TY year-end staff phone calls to PEN America supporters
- Assist with all special events including, but not limited to, communications and follow up
- Manage president’s email account and coordinate as necessary
Grants
- Update the foundation-funded projects spreadsheet on a regular basis
- Drafting or reviewing foundation acknowledgement letters for accuracy
- First drafts of less complex LOIs, proposals, and reports
- Assist with putting together financial reports for funders
- Prospect research and meeting briefings as time allows
- Confirming pledges/payments for funders
- Enter all relevant funder email and other correspondence into the database and the server files
General Development
- Coordinate meetings for development team and others as required
- Assist with recruitment, training, and managing interns
- Support gift acknowledgment process
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- 1-2 years of experience in a nonprofit environment, preferably in development or similar faced-paced, deadline and detail-oriented department
- Demonstrated understanding of donor management and the ability to handle relationships with stakeholders with tact and maturity
- Ambitious work ethic and ability to work both autonomously and as part of departmental or cross-departmental team
- Strong ability to communicate in writing in a range of forms and contexts
- Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, with zealous attention to detail
- Exemplary capacity to maintain confidentiality and discretion
- Passion for the mission of PEN America
Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and benefits, commensurate with experience.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter directly addressing specific requirements for the position as outlined above, resume, and the contact information for three references. Please submit the entire application to [email protected]. One PDF is preferred. Please use “Development & Grants Assistant” with your name as the subject of your email (e.g., Development & Grants Assistant – Jane Doe). 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.
