Grant Writer

About the Open Space Institute

The Open Space Institute is a national leader in land conservation and efforts to make parks and other protected land more welcoming for all. Since 1974, OSI has partnered in the protection of more than 2.5 million at-risk and environmentally sensitive acres in the eastern U.S. OSI’s work promotes clean air and water, improves access to recreation, provides wildlife habitat, strengthens communities, and combats the devastating impacts of extreme weather.

PositionOverview

OSI is seeking a Grant Writer to support essential institutional fundraising communications. Under the supervision of OSI’s Senior Director, Institutional Giving, the Grant Writer’s responsibilities include developing tailored concept notes and proposals, narrative and financial reports, donor touchpoints, meeting resources and presentation decks, and other formal and informal communications that demonstrate the impact of OSI’s programs and strengthen relationships with current and prospective funders. OSI’s institutional funding partners are often deeply knowledgeable about land conservation, climate resilience, biodiversity, and equitable access to nature, and many bring extensive experience and networks to these fields. The Grant Writer must be able to translate OSI’s complex and place-based work into clear and compelling materials for this sophisticated audience. This position requires exceptional writing abilities, keen attention to detail, and the ability to communicate OSI’s mission, strategies, and results with accuracy and persuasive force.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

• Write compelling letters of inquiry, grant proposals, reports, briefings, emails, decks, program updates, and other communications as necessary to cultivate, secure, and steward funding relationships to support specific projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment with funders' priorities and guidelines.
• Collaborate closely with fundraising and program staff to gather complex, essential information and data necessary to develop grant proposals, reports, briefings, stewardship updates, cultivation outreach, meeting materials, and any other communications.
• Research municipal, state and federal plans, news items and articles, and policy pieces to develop cases for support of OSI’s work.
• Drive project timelines, ensuring accurate and timely submission of grant inquiries, proposals, and reports, adhering to internal priorities as well as any deadlines, requirements, and guidelines provided by funders. Meet internal deadlines for drafts and revisions, allowing for internal reviews by project and fundraising teams.
• As needed, lead project kick-off meetings with program and fundraising staff to gather key information, develop project timelines, and communicate project needs.
• Prepare donor communications and decks to support institutional funder portfolios managed by Chief Development Officer, Senior Director, Institutional Giving, and Manager, Institutional Giving.
• Conduct research to identify funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies aligned with our organization's mission and programs.
• Copyedit institutional funder communications.
• Gather relevant program information to support donor-facing members of executive, development, and program teams in preparation for meetings and in the creation of proposals and reports.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with grant management activities, including monitoring grant progress and reporting requirements, as needed.
• Submit proposals, reports and compliance needs in portals, as needed.
• Assist with reporting to and activities for OSI’s External Affairs committee, Board of Trustees, and various committees.
• Serve as a point of contact between the development department, communications department, and program teams.
• Support and assist with other development activities, including mailings and events.
• Special projects as assigned.

Shared Programmatic Commitments

• Incorporate OSI’s internal and programmatic commitment to equity in communications and outreach to funders and donors.
• Work to diversify OSI donor base and seek to identify and provide funding support for OSI’s internal and programmatic equity work.       

This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position.  There may be unplanned activities and other duties as assigned.

Culture & Equity Responsibilities

All OSI staff are expected to contribute to a workplace culture grounded in respect, fairness, and inclusion. This includes highlighting the importance of group identity and considering how personal bias or favoritism may affect interactions or result in inequitable treatment or communication-sharing throughout the organization. 

Staff are also expected to cultivate networks and candidate pipelines that include group identities currently underrepresented at OSI, and to draw from those networks when positions are open.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience in related field and 3+ years related experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in fundraising/development role in non-profit sector.
• Undergraduate degree.

Technical Skills and Abilities:

• Superior writing and editing skills, with the ability to craft clear, concise, and persuasive proposals.
• Strong research skills, including the ability to gather and synthesize information from various sources.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or equivalent CRM/donor/grants management database.

General Skills and Abilities:

• Outstanding attention to detail, organization, diligence and commitment to excellence.
• Ability to think and problem-solve creatively.
• Highly organized.
• Ability to meet and work ahead of deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
• Ability to work on overlapping complex assignments.
• Highly collegial working style.
• Familiarity with environmental and/or land conservation issues is desirable.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of privileged information.

Location & Physical Requirements

• The position is based in OSI’s New York City office.
• Some evening and weekend hours may be required occasionally for donor events.
• Frequently sits for long periods of time.
• Frequently speaks, reads, writes and uses a computer keyboard.
• May require occasional standing, walking, lifting, stooping, and bending.

Please note: If you do not wholly meet the above qualifications but believe you are otherwise well-suited to meet the needs of this position, we encourage you to apply.

Working Arrangements, Pay and Benefits

This is a full-time position within regular business hours. All of our offices are open and fully operational five days per week, as we believe that working together in person can facilitate spontaneous interaction, clearer communication, efficient problem-solving, stronger team cohesion, and support for newer employees. However, OSI recognizes the importance of flexibility for our staff and offers a hybrid work policy. This role involves working onsite at OSI’s NYC headquarters in midtown Manhattan at least three days per week, with Tuesday and Wednesday as anchor days. In-office day(s) outside of these anchor days will be coordinated with your manager and are expected to be consistent on a week-to-week basis. 

Pay for this position is $70,000-$74,000, commensurate with the candidate’s skill level and experience. The recruiting team is committed to sharing details regarding compensation based on the candidate's qualifications during the interview process.

OSI offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package, including a choice of medical plans (both traditional and high-deductible health plans with HSA), with premiums for employees and their dependents covered up to 100% on some plans; dental and vision coverage, with premiums for employees and their dependents 100% covered by OSI; flexible spending accounts; a 403(b) plan with both an up to 4% employer match and 4% discretionary employer contribution after 2 years of service; paid time off, including paid holidays, accrued PTO and sick days, 3 “Summer Fridays”, and 2 floating holidays; life insurance; disability coverage; an employee assistance program; and more.

How to Apply

Apply through our portal. Attach a cover letter that includes where you learned of the job posting along with a writing sample (2 pages max) and your resume. Applications without these materials are not likely to be considered. Please note: your cover letter and writing sample must be combined into one file, which should be uploaded in the "Cover Letter" section of the application. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from the time of posting in November 2026 with earlier submissions receiving priority consideration. If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your application as soon as possible, as the role will be unposted once a strong candidate pool has been identified. You will receive an acknowledgment once your application has been submitted, and we will contact you if we would like to schedule an interview.  You will receive an acknowledgment once your application has been submitted

Please note that should your candidacy progress, a writing assessment, which should not take more than 2-3 hours to complete, will be requested at a later stage of the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Statement

OSI is an equal opportunity employer. We recognize that our conservation mission is best advanced by the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and cultures. We are committed to cultivating and retaining a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters belonging.

OSI offers accommodations for individuals with disabilities in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to

resumes@osiny.org

Consistent with New York State law, OSI does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, height, weight, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. OSI will not sponsor applicants for work visas.