Budgeting, Communication Skills, Consulting, Detail Oriented, Disability Accommodations, Editing, Environmental Work, Federal Government, Federal Grants, Finance, Funding, Government Grants, Grant Writing, Local Government, Negotiation Skills, Nonprofit, Organizational Skills, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Project Management Software, Proposal Writing, Regulatory Compliance, Research Grants, Sales Prospecting, Stewardship, Team Player, Time Management, Writing Skills
The Guardians of Flushing Bay (GoFB) seeks to retain a contracted Grant Writer (the Writer) to collaborate with the organization to support our growing philanthropy needs. The selected grant writer will take a primary role in grant research, narrative writing, and preparing close to final grant submissions, helping GoFB tell its story compellingly to a range of funders while meeting all compliance and deadline requirements. This position will work closely with the Finance and Development Coordinator and the Executive Director.
Deadlines and Timing
- Date Issued: April 23, 2026
- Deadline: June 5, 2026
- Possible Start Date: June 22, 2026
Background on Guardians of Flushing Bay and this Project
Guardians of Flushing Bay (GoFB) was founded in 2015 by a multiracial and intergenerational coalition of dragon boaters advocating for the health of and access to Flushing Bay. The coalition removed a toxic, abandoned barge, introduced oyster gardens, and influenced citywide decision-making processes that would forever impact Flushing Bay and Flushing Creek. Since incorporating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2018, GoFB has evolved into an organization with a shared vision of a healthy and equitably accessible Flushing Waterways where our watershed communities feel part of a thriving collective that stewards the water and each other. We accomplish our goals through grassroots organizing, community science and stewardship, habitat restoration, community planning, and free, family-friendly programming.
Project Requirements
The Grant Writer will be responsible for the following:
Grant Research & Prospecting
- Research and identify new, preferably multi-year funding opportunities aligned with GoFB's mission and programs, including private foundations, corporate funders, and local government sources
- Maintain and update a prospecting pipeline in Airtable, flagging deadlines and eligibility requirements
- Brief the Finance and Development Coordinator and Executive Director on promising opportunities with recommended next steps
Narrative Writing & Applications
- Using past proposals as a guide, lead the drafting and editing of grant narratives, letters of inquiry, project descriptions, and budgets in coordination with GoFB staff
- Tailor language and framing to specific funders while maintaining GoFB's voice, values, and environmental justice lens
- Manage the application assembly and submission process, ensuring all components are complete and submitted on time
How to Submit a Proposal
Proposals must be sent through this form by June 5th, 2026, at 11:59pm EDT (note: this deadline was extended from the original May 22nd date). By submitting a proposal, you authorize GoFB to contact references to evaluate your qualifications for this project. GoFB will be available to answer questions during the proposal-writing process via email at hi@guardiansofflushingbay.org.
Proposals should be no more than ten (10) pages, not including references, and cover the following:
- Consultant Description: Brief history and summary of your expertise.
- Approach to philanthropy, grant writing, grant tracking, and other relevant skills: Please tell us about the process and methodology you would go through to support GoFB with this project. Detail how you will accomplish the above scope of work, including a clear delineation of what we should expect you to be responsible for and what you expect from GoFB.
- Budget: Please provide a breakdown of anticipated costs for the entire lifecycle of each aspect of the scope of work, 1. Grant research and prospecting, and 2. Narrative writing and application for one submission.
- Experience and Unique Qualifications: Describe your experience for similar requirements and the value that you brought to those assignments. This should include an overview of prior similar engagements, a list of grants you submitted and successfully received award amounts (show funding amounts), your work with nonprofits, average length of engagement, and what would make you a unique partner.
- Work Samples: Submit three relevant writing samples.
- References: Provide at least two references.
Evaluation Criteria
All proposals will be evaluated based on the following key criteria:
- Performance capability—the extent to which the proposal demonstrates the consultant’s ability to provide the depth and breadth of experience, skills, knowledge, and creativity generally required by this project.
- Understanding of GoFB’s work to date.
- Demonstrated experience with nonprofit organizations working in the environmental or climate justice space.
- Completeness and quality of response, including clear deliverables and a reasonable approach.
- Proposed cost.
- References.
Ideal qualifications and skills include:
Qualifications
- 3-5 years of demonstrated experience writing successful grant proposals to a wide range of donors, preferably for nonprofit organizations
- Robust familiarity with foundation funders and experience with federal or government grant processes
- Prior work with environmental justice, parks, open space, or waterfront organizations is strongly preferred
- New York City-based candidates are strongly preferred, given our local focus and funder relationships
- Other relevant experience
Skills:
- Able to manage multiple deadlines and deliverables independently, while maintaining an open stream of communication with relevant staff
- Clear written and verbal communicator who can translate program work into compelling funder narratives
- Collaborative and easy to work with across a small, mission-driven team
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Proficient in Google Workspace and Airtable, or similar project management software
Top-rated candidates will be invited to interview with GoFB. The selected consultant and GoFB will then mutually discuss and refine the scope of work for the project and shall negotiate final conditions, compensation, and performance schedule for the subsequent contract to be executed.
Budget
GoFB has $25,000 available for this work. Proposals should include an hourly fee structure with a tiered budget.
Contract Terms & Conditions
- This is an independent contractor engagement. The selected individual will not be an employee of GoFB and is not eligible for GoFB's full-time benefits. The individual will be responsible for their own taxes.
- Proposals should include an hourly fee structure with a tiered budget.
- GoFB operates fully remotely. The contractor must provide their own computer, internet access, and workspace. Software access provided: Google Workspace and Airtable.
- A formal contract outlining scope, deliverables, payment schedule, and confidentiality expectations will be executed with the selected contractor.
Frequently cited statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, Guardians of Flushing Bay encourages you to apply.
We are accepting applications from individuals, firms, and organizations. Guardians of Flushing Bay is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. Guardians of Flushing Bay will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Please do not use AI to help draft your cover letter or responses to our application questions. We want to know how you think and write.