Public Interest Network Grants Associate

Public Interest Network Grants Associate

The Public Interest Network is a foundry for change organizations, creating or building dozens of long-standing, successful groups, including U.S. PIRG, Environment America, Green Corps, National Environmental Law Center, Frontier Group, Green Century Funds, Toxics Action Center, and Pesticide Watch. Together, the groups of The Public Interest Network employ a full arsenal of time-tested strategies for change, including organizing, advocacy, research and policy analysis, litigation and socially responsible investing.

Each group pursues its own strategy and agenda, with its own base of support. Yet all members of the network share a firm commitment to a model for success — one that emphasizes building stable, powerful organizations, embracing a tough-minded culture of accountability, and organizing to win measurable results. These results include hundreds of laws, policies and other changes that have protected consumers, preserved the environment, and otherwise made corporations and government more responsive to the public interest.

Job Description

The Grants Associate position is part of the Public Interest Network’s two-year Fellowship Program. The Grants Associate will work with the network’s advocates, organizers, attorneys, executive directors, and development staff to raise funds for a wide array of public interest projects and programs.  

Specifically, the Grants Associate’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Writing and editing:

- Develop and write grant proposals and project budgets around a wide array of issues, campaigns, projects, and organizations

- Promote the network organizations’ programs and campaigns through written updates and other affinity building activities

- Edit grant proposals, budgets, letters of inquiry, and reports

Research:

- Research and identify foundation and donor prospects

- Help maintain the information in a central database of foundations and prospective donors

Training and Staff Assistance:

-Train staff around the country to be effective grantseekers

-Act as a central clearinghouse for advice and information on funding strategy and the funding community

Project Management:

        - Make sure the network’s organizations are meeting proposal and report deadlines

        - Create and execute plans to take advantage of specific funding opportunities

- Manage other special projects related to grant fundraising

Organization Building:

- Canvass throughout the year to raise grassroots funding for the network’s organizations

- Direct a citizen outreach office during the summer months

- Help recruit staff for the network’s organizations

- Provide support for priority network programs and projects, from training staff to phone banking to helping with events

Training:

A key part of the Public Interest Network’s mission is to train leaders who are capable of organizing and winning results for the public interest. As part of the fellowship program, the grants associate will receive hands-on training throughout the year from grants department staff as well as participate in an intensive classroom training program to develop the knowledge and skills he/she needs to manage a variety of Public Interest Network campaigns in the community. Each training will include an overview of the network’s history and past campaigns, briefings on current campaign issues and strategies, and skills development workshops to hone organizing and leadership skills.

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Qualifications: We are looking for skilled candidates with a demonstrated commitment to social change and an appreciation of the importance of political organizing. We’re also looking for candidates that are more motivated by the success of the movement than by individual achievement. 

 Additionally, top candidates will have:

-  A track record of academic success and proven leadership ability;

- Flexibility, a problem solving orientation and can-do attitude, and a strong work ethic;

- Exceptional expository writing and verbal persuasion skills, with the ability to translate complex campaigns and programs into targeted fundraising requests;

- Demonstrated success in managing a variety of projects simultaneously and producing high-quality work on a deadline; and

- The ability to work independently, but not adverse to taking direction and following a model.

- Experience in debate, public speaking, journalism, political campaigning, fundraising, and/or grassroots political organizing is not required, but is a plus.

The Grants Associate position requires a two-year commitment.

Salary & Benefits

The salary for the position is $33,400 per year. In addition to training, benefits include partially paid health insurance, paid vacation and holidays, and sick pay.  We also offer opportunities for advancement and travel.

To Apply
Visit www.publicinterestnetwork.org/page/pin/apply and fill out the online form. If we are interested in interviewing you for the position, we will get back to you within a week. Note all finalists also will be required to complete a writing and editing test.

The Public Interest Network is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

www.publicinterestnetwork.org