Associate Director, Grants

Title: Associate Director, Grants

Department: Institutional Advancement

Salary Range: $90,000-$110,000

Location: New York, New York (Hybrid; 4x/week in-office)

FLSA: Exempt

OVERVIEW:

Birthright Israel began in 1999 with a bold idea – offer young Jewish adults a life-changing trip to Israel to build their Jewish identity and, by doing so, transform the Jewish future. Since its founding, Birthright Israel has provided over 950,000 young Jewish adults with a transformational experience in Israel.

In a post October 7th world, our work has become even more important. The Birthright Israel Foundation ("BRIF") is dedicated to raising the funds necessary to ensure that every eligible young Jewish adult has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of a trip to Israel. Through these life-changing journeys, we strengthen Jewish identity, build community, and foster a lifelong connection to Israel and the Jewish people.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Associate Director, Grants is a key member of the Institutional Advancement team, serving as a pivotal writer in written communication for individual and foundation donors that aligns with Birthright Israel’s organization’s messaging. The Associate Director will develop strategy, prepare grant proposals and reports, draft key written communication, and play an important role in the moves management of philanthropic foundations and principal gift-level individual donors. Additionally, this role will build strong relationships with regional fundraisers and both foundation and Federation professionals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grant Writing & Institutional Communications

• Manage and develop key communications with major foundations and Jewish federations through report, proposal, and letter writing, taking a lead role in many complex grant submissions.
• Partner with Institutional Advancement Team members and other national and regional fundraisers to effectively maintain grants and proposals to increase campaign revenue.
• Develop new written language and communication for the Institutional Advancement Team in line with organizational messaging.

Relationship Management & Portfolio Growth

• Build and maintain relationships with foundation professionals and other advisors in partnership with national and regional fundraisers.
• Participate in growing the portfolio of professional foundations and principal giving donors, including the stewardship of high-level donors, foundations, and other institutional giving partners, through written and verbal communication.
• Conduct prospect research on current and prospective foundations and other high-net-worth donors and prospect.

Budgeting & Financial Coordination

• Liaise with management—including the President & CEO and the CFO—to create budgets and reports for proposals and grant submissions.
• Develop program budgets using Microsoft Excel, incorporating formulas and accurate calculations to support grant submissions and internal planning.

Data Management & Reporting

• Mark and track institutional giving efforts through Salesforce (Grants Management).
• Create and customize reports in Salesforce.

Leadership & Organizational Support

• Support the AVP of Institutional Giving and Chief Advancement Officer as requested.
• Help BRIF reach its highest potential by supporting efforts to strengthen workplace culture, including a focus on recruiting top talent to join the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years related work experience.
• Strong business writing, proposal writing, and editing skills, with the ability to adapt messaging to a range of audiences.
• Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce); ability to pull reports and present data in thoughtful and dynamic ways.
• Experience with Generative AI integration with written communications and grant management processes.
• Experience with the Microsoft Office suite of programs, including: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in creating budgets in Microsoft Excel using formulas.
• Knowledge of the Jewish communal landscape and the stakeholders in the Jewish/Israel private foundation and Federation world.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively present information to major donors, foundation professionals, top management, and staff.
• Excellent attention to detail, responsiveness, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Skilled at multi-tasking; able to organize, manage, prioritize, and execute responsibilities in the face of conflicting priorities or unexpected situations.
• Superior professional presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Highly motivated, proactive, and able to work independently while also supporting a team.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Passion for the mission of Birthright Israel.

WHY JOIN BRIF?

At BRIF, you’ll be part of a team that is shaping the future of the Jewish people. Your work will help ensure that donors feel connected, valued, and inspired to make Birthright Israel possible for generations to come. We offer generous benefits, including comprehensive medical insurance, vision insurance, and dental insurance. Employees have access to set aside funds for retirement through our 403(b) plan, which includes a 5% salary match that vests over the first 5 years of employment. Additional perks include additional remote days, generous sick time, annual personal days, as well as a work calendar offering time off for Jewish and secular holidays.

The Birthright Israel Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.