Grants and Development Manager

Brooklyn Book Bodega Job Title: Grants and Development Manager

About Brooklyn Book Bodega

The mission of Brooklyn Book Bodega is to increase the number of 100+ book homes for kids 0-18 in NYC. Brooklyn Book Bodega provides access to and ownership of books, builds community, and creates a passion for learning through free events and literacy-based community programming. Founded in 2018, its work has expanded and grown each year. Learn more at www.brooklynbookbodega.org.

Overview

Brooklyn Book Bodega raises funds from public and private sources to support its mission. Our development efforts focus on securing the resources needed to sustain and expand our programs while building long-term relationships with institutional and individual supporters.

Reporting to the Executive Director & Cofounder, the Grants & Development Manager is responsible for the day-to-day execution of BBB's institutional fundraising efforts, including grant writing, prospect research, proposal development, grant tracking, and reporting. Working under the strategic direction of the Executive Director, this individual independently manages the grant calendar and coordinates submissions and deliverables across teams. The position also supports broader development activities, including individual giving, donor stewardship, and fundraising campaigns.

The majority of the role focuses on institutional fundraising and grants management, with the remaining part dedicated to supporting other development activities.

This is a hands-on, writing-intensive, and detail-oriented position requiring strong project management skills, initiative, and collaboration. The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer and highly organized professional who can manage multiple deadlines, develop compelling funding proposals, maintain accurate records, and work effectively across teams. The Grants and Development Manager will work closely with organizational leadership to strengthen BBB's institutional funding pipeline, support donor engagement, and contribute to the organization's continued growth and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities to Include

Grant Writing, Management, and Institutional Fundraising

• Grant Prospecting and Research: Research and identify new funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies that align with BBB's mission, programs, and strategic priorities. Monitor funding opportunities, assess eligibility, and recommend promising prospects.
• Grant Writing and Proposal Development: Lead the development and writing of compelling letters of inquiry, grant proposals, applications, renewal requests, and related materials. Translate organizational priorities, program activities, and impact data into clear, persuasive funder-facing narratives.
• Grant Administration and Tracking: Manage the full grant lifecycle, including application deadlines, submission requirements, grant agreements, reporting schedules, and deliverables. Maintain accurate grant records, calendars, and project plans to ensure timely and complete submissions.
• Grant Reporting and Compliance: Prepare timely, accurate, and compelling grant reports. Track funding requirements, monitor deliverables, and coordinate with relevant staff to ensure compliance with grant agreements and reporting obligations.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with program, operations, finance, and leadership staff to gather program information, budgets, impact metrics, participant stories, and other materials needed for proposals and reports. Proactively communicate deadlines, identify information gaps, and coordinate next steps to keep projects on track.
• Institutional Funder Stewardship: Support ongoing relationships with foundation, corporate, and government funders through timely communications, updates, acknowledgments, and reporting. Assist leadership in preparing for funder meetings, site visits, and renewal conversations.
• Systems and Records Management: Maintain accurate grant information in organizational databases and project management systems. Keep organizational profiles current across relevant government funding portals and nonprofit information platforms, including Grants.gov, the New York Statewide Financial System, PASSPort, and Candid/GuideStar.

Development and Fundraising Support

• Individual Giving and Campaign Support: Assist with the planning and execution of individual giving campaigns, including annual appeals, Giving Tuesday, and other fundraising initiatives. Support campaign communications, donor outreach, and follow-up activities.
• Donor Stewardship: Support donor acknowledgment and stewardship activities, including drafting thank-you letters, preparing donor updates, tracking follow-up needs, and helping ensure timely and thoughtful donor communications.
• Donor Database Management: Maintain accurate donor records in the CRM, including gifts, contact information, and giving history. Support donor segmentation, reporting, and data pulls for fundraising campaigns and stewardship efforts.
• Special Events and Fundraising Activities: Provide planning, communications, and administrative support for fundraising events, donor cultivation activities, and other development initiatives.
• Development Team Collaboration: Work with leadership and other team members to support annual fundraising goals, improve development systems and processes, and identify opportunities to strengthen fundraising effectiveness.

Education, Skills, and Experience

• Experience: At least five years of relevant professional experience in grant writing, institutional fundraising, nonprofit development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Demonstrated success developing grant proposals and managing multiple funding deadlines strongly preferred.
• Writing and Communication: Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills, with the ability to quickly understand complex program information and translate it into clear, persuasive narratives for different audiences.
• Organization and Project Management: Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to independently manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
• Research and Analytical Skills: Ability to research funding opportunities, interpret grant guidelines, synthesize information, and use data to strengthen proposals and reports.
• Technology: Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office. Experience with donor CRMs (preferably Bloomerang), grant research tools, and project management systems.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with colleagues across programs, operations, finance, and leadership.
• Mindset: Proactive, resourceful, adaptable, and solutions-oriented. Willingness to take initiative, anticipate challenges, seek feedback, and continuously improve systems and processes.

Position Details

Salary: $75,000-81,000/year (exempt, full-time) Availability: Full-time, Monday–Friday, with occasional evening/weekend work as needed Location: NYC; hybrid Start Date: January 2027 Reports to: Executive Director & Cofounder Direct Reports: None

Benefits

• Work flexibility: Hybrid model with a minimum of 1-day per week on-site in Brooklyn Book Hub and travel to funder visits and meetings, etc.
• Retirement: Eligibility for retirement plan with employer contributions in accordance with plan requirements
• Tech provided: Dedicated laptop and Google voice number provided for business use Brooklyn Book Bodega | 141 Flushing Avenue, Suite 606 | Brooklyn, NY 11205
• Time Off: Paid Time Off (PTO), observed paid company holidays, and paid sick leave

You may be a great fit, if you are:

• Passionate about Brooklyn Book Bodega’s mission.
• An excellent writer who enjoys turning program ideas, impact data, and community stories into compelling funding proposals.
• Highly organized and energized by managing multiple grants, projects, and deadlines from start to finish.
• Resourceful and curious, with an interest in identifying new funding opportunities and building relationships with institutional supporters.
• Collaborative and comfortable working across teams to gather information, solve problems, and complete proposals and reports.
• A proactive problem-solver who anticipates challenges, takes ownership of responsibilities, and is committed to continuous learning and improvement.

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to Rebecca Cohen, Executive Director & Cofounder rebecca@brooklynbookbodega.org. No phone inquiries. References and background check will be required.

Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.

Disclaimer

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

Brooklyn Book Bodega Employment Opportunity Statement

Brooklyn Book Bodega is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Brooklyn Book Bodega | 141 Flushing Avenue, Suite 606 | Brooklyn, NY 11205