How to apply for Interim Institutional & Public Funding Support

About Row New York

Row New York is a unique youth development organization that uses the sport of rowing to empower young people from under-resourced communities, combining athletic training with academic support and college readiness. Working here means contributing to a mission that transforms lives through discipline, teamwork, and education, all while being part of a supportive and dynamic team.

About the role

This interim role is a critical, hands-on opportunity to directly impact Row New York's fundraising efforts by writing high-quality grants and managing institutional deliverables for foundation, corporate, and government funders. You'll be the driving force behind securing essential funding that sustains and expands programs, with the potential to shape a broader institutional fundraising strategy.

A typical day

A typical day might involve drafting a grant proposal for a foundation, coordinating with program staff to gather outcome data, updating the grants calendar, and reviewing compliance requirements for a government grant. You'll balance writing, research, and communication, all while ensuring deadlines are met and deliverables are of the highest quality.

Who Row New York is looking for

• At least 3 years of professional experience in institutional fundraising, with a proven track record of writing successful grant proposals and reports for foundations, corporations, and government sources.
• Exceptional writer and editor who can translate complex program outcomes into compelling narratives for diverse funders, including New York City philanthropy.
• Highly organized and strategic, able to manage multiple deadlines and deliverables independently in a remote, part-time capacity.
• Experience collaborating with program and finance staff to gather data, budgets, and outcomes for proposals and reports, and familiarity with public funding compliance.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your cover letter to highlight specific experience with New York City philanthropy and government funding, as this is a key requirement for the role.
• Include 1-2 writing samples that demonstrate your ability to craft compelling grant proposals or reports, ideally for youth development or sports-based programs.
• Emphasize your ability to work independently and manage deadlines in a remote setting, as the role requires self-direction and timely delivery.
• Research Row New York's programs and recent funders to mention specific alignment in your application, showing genuine interest in their mission.
• Address the interim nature of the role positively, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute immediately and potentially help build a more comprehensive fundraising function.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience writing grants and reports for foundation, corporate, and government funders, particularly in New York City.', 'Your ability to manage multiple deliverables and deadlines independently, with examples of successful outcomes.', 'Your collaborative approach to gathering information from program and finance staff to create accurate and compelling proposals.', "Your interest in Row New York's mission and how your skills can support their immediate funding needs and future growth."]

Research before applying

• Explore Row New York's website, annual reports, and social media to understand their programs, impact, and funding sources.
• Research their key funders, especially New York City philanthropies and government agencies, to understand the funding landscape they operate in.
• Learn about the sport of rowing and its role in youth development to better contextualize the organization's work.
• Look into recent news or press releases about Row New York to stay current on their initiatives and challenges.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Can you walk us through a successful grant proposal you wrote from start to finish, including how you gathered information and tailored it to the funder?
• How do you manage competing deadlines and ensure high-quality work when juggling multiple deliverables?
• Describe your experience with public funding applications and compliance reporting. What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?
• How would you approach writing about Row New York's outcomes to make them compelling to a foundation versus a corporate funder?
• What interests you about working at Row New York, and how do you see this interim role contributing to the organization's long-term fundraising goals?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting generic grant writing samples that are not relevant to youth development, sports, or New York City funding.
• Failing to demonstrate specific experience with New York City philanthropy or government funding, which is a key requirement.
• Not addressing the interim and part-time nature of the role, or appearing inflexible about the 10-15 hours per week commitment.