The Opportunity
Calling all grant writers, wordsmiths, storytellers and true nonprofit enthusiasts: NPR’s Development Division needs your help! If you love public radio, have a unique and persuasive way of articulating NPR’s mission and can craft compelling fundraising and stewardship materials for foundations – this job is for you! We seek to hire a dynamic, experienced and mission-driven Development Writer and Reports Manager to assist Development’s writing and communications hub in generating inspiring, polished and thought-provoking fundraising materials for the donors who make our critical work possible.
Position Summary
The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in nonprofit communications and grant writing, with a track record of producing successful fundraising materials. S/he will be strategic, collaborative, have a service-oriented approach and keen business/nonprofit acumen, and thrive in a fast-paced, creative, results oriented culture.
As a member of Development’s writers’ hub, reporting to the Associate Director of Donor Communications, the Development Writer and Reports Manager will play a key role in developing materials for cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts. This position will support the Development Division’s efforts to keep track of the plans for – and impact of – NPR’s many projects, desks and series.
Essential Duties
The Development Writer and Reports Manager’s primary job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Produce persuasive and dynamic grants and letters of inquiry following funder guidelines and deadlines.
- Produce grant reports to foundations to include where appropriate a comprehensive analysis of program-related metrics and outcomes. Ensure that NPR is compliant with funders’ reporting requirements.
- Develop templates for grants and reports to streamline the production of materials, and update the language and metrics quarterly.
- Work closely with Institutional Giving’s team of six front-line fundraisers and editorial staff to ensure a solid understanding of initiatives, programs and activities of NPR and to present those programs in writing to effectively secure and report on funding.
- Contribute to the development of campaign and event related promotional materials.
- Maintain the institutional grants calendar in Raisers Edge to ensure timely submission of all letters of inquiry, proposals and reports.
- Prioritize projects to keep multiple assignments moving in a timely manner, meet deadlines and manage supplemental material required for proposals and reports.
- In coordination with supervisor and colleagues in Development’s writers’ hub, maintain and routinely refresh existing language on the work of NPR’s various desks, programs and company-wide strategies in order to make polished language on a broad range of topics available quickly to the Development Division.
- As a member of Development’s writers’ hub, provide writing/editing support for communications and development related materials, including major donor and individual contribution letters, acknowledgements, and annual reports.
- Cultivate and maintain an awareness of industry trends within public media, journalism and philanthropy.
Required Skills and Experience
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in grant writing, editing and related work with proven track record of successful grant awards.
- Superior communication, grammar and editing skills, including a capacity to communicate complex ideas, program-related metrics and outcomes compellingly to a variety of audiences.
- Strong computer skills, including compiling and framing graphics, metrics and charts, and experience with prospect research tools and funder databases.
- Highly organized with attentiveness to details and strict adherence to deadlines, standards and deliverables.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects, to set and adjust priorities, and work in a fast-paced and changing work environment in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
- Highly collaborative with an appreciation of the benefit of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
What Else?
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite; Raiser’s Edge (or equivalent database software) and AP Style a plus.
- Skills or experience with analyzing program-related metrics and outcomes.
- Love of NPR or knowledge or experience with public media issues.
Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you. If you apply for this job, here's what you can expect in our interview process.
NPR offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package including health and wellness benefits, retirement, and work/life balance programs, as well as opportunities for career growth and development.
NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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