Advocacy Fundraising Specialist

About Graham:

Graham provides life-changing tools and resources for children, young adults and families who face some of the most difficult obstacles caused by poverty, racial injustice, and lack of access to educational opportunities, living wage employment, quality healthcare, and affordable housing.
 

We collaborate with communities and strong partners to create and implement innovative strategies so everyone can lead healthy, joyful, and successful lives.

Graham is growing! Backed by leadership, we are expanding our development team so that we can bring our exciting plans for Graham’s upcoming 220th anniversary to life. Become part of a historic and innovative non-profit in NYC, make an immediate difference, and grow with us.

Program Description:

The Development Team works with donors, prospects, Foundation and Corporate funders, and government officials to raise unrestricted and restricted funding in support of Graham’s mission. 

The Development Team focuses on linking mission to action by attaining funding. Relationship building, superior communications, and deep collaboration are characteristics of the Team and how it effects change internally and externally as key connection agents for Graham.

Principal Objective/Role Overview:

The Advocacy Fundraising Specialist strengthens Graham’s advocacy efforts by liaising with lobbying firm to advance Graham’s goals and creating and submitting requests for discretionary funding from elected officials in support of Graham, our children, youth, families, and communities.

Key to this role is developing written materials and helping to organize in-person gatherings to propel Graham’s work as premier fundable non-profit. Understanding the value of collaboration, managing collaborative efforts, drafting proposals, report writing, and utilizing small event management and logistics knowledge are key qualities for this role. Outcomes are determined on a per annum basis collectively and focus on political engagement and funding allocations received.

If the Director, Institutional Giving role is open, the Advocacy Fundraising Specialist will report to the Chief Development Officer.

Job Responsibilities:

• Help implement Advocacy Strategies: Contribute to the implementation of advocacy goals and strategies by drafting messaging for iterative review, and tailoring messaging to specific target audiences, particularly elected officials for discretionary funding. Help plan and prepare for meetings and events with policy makers.
• Fundraising: In collaboration with Development team colleagues, develop and implement fundraising strategies to unlock additional government funding, including discretionary grants and capital investment from elected officials.
• Research and Analysis: Conduct research on key policy issues, track legislative activity, inform strategic decisions, and analyze the impact of advocacy efforts on policy change.
• Communication and Outreach: Develop and implement communication strategies to educate the internal Graham audience, the public at large, and policymakers about the organization's advocacy positions.
• Evaluation and Reporting: Track the impact of advocacy efforts and provide regular reports on progress and outcomes. Report regularly on the greater political landscape for the shared knowledge of the Graham team.
• Collaborate with Lobbying Firm: Work closely with a lobbying firm to learn of funding opportunities, deadlines, and materials needed, as well as draft and submit funding materials to elected officials for appropriation funding, along with mobilization and education campaigns as needed by Graham staff.
• Mobilization: In partnership with Development and Communications team colleagues, leverage support for advocacy campaigns through online and offline channels, including social media, email, and in-person events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree, discipline non-specific
• 2-3 years of related or adjacent experience
• Microsoft Office suite experience a plus
• Exemplary written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tight deadlines
• Demonstrated understanding of social media as an advocacy tool
• Ability to work collegially with a wide range of people
• Must be willing to travel throughout NYC as needed
• Energized by Graham’s mission
• Knowledge of Child Welfare sector and Social Services preferred

Salary & Compensation:

• Base Salary: $62,000.00/year
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Benefits Eligibility: This role is eligible to participate in our Performance Based Merit Award program at the end of each fiscal year, and eligible for benefits including health insurance, retirement plans (pension and 403B thrift), career coaching via Bravely, and more!

EEO Statement

The Equal Employment Opportunity Policy of Graham is to provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. Graham hires and promotes individuals solely based on their qualifications for the job to be filled.

Graham believes that associates should be provided with a working environment which enables each associate to be productive and to work to the best of his or her ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.

We expect and require the cooperation of all associates in maintaining a discrimination and harassment-free atmosphere.