CommonWise Education, Inc. (CommonWise) convenes and operates the Bronx Cooperative Development Initiative (BCDI), whose mission is to end generational poverty in the Bronx through shared wealth and democratic ownership.

Based on a framework of economic democracy, BCDI leverages existing Bronx assets to address economic, social, and environmental challenges within the borough, and supports collective ownership models in order to distribute wealth and decision-making equitably and broadly among Bronx residents.  With its partners, BCDI pursues three major lines of work:

1. Establishing a Community Enterprise Network that unites community and labor organizations, anchor institutions, and small businesses in order to plan and implement an inclusive and sustainable economy in the Bronx.
2. Building the long-term infrastructure to support economic democracy, including a Local Business Procurement Platform to redirect anchors’ spending locally and build shared ownership enterprises, and a Community Innovation Center to develop advanced manufacturing in the Bronx.
3. Coordinating immediate-impact projects in the health and energy sectors with our partners in order to reduce energy costs, remove environmental contaminants, and create job opportunities for Bronx residents.

Job Title: Grant Writer and Communications Coordinator

Responsibilities: The Grant Writer and Communications Coordinator will support the Director of Planning and Development and the Fundraising consultant to advance the public presence of the organization’s work and build the grant base of the organization.  S/he will be responsible for:

• Grant writing and reporting
• Philanthropic prospecting
• Maintaining grant tracking and reporting systems
• Providing support to the development consultant and the fundraising lead
• Publishing monthly or bi-monthly newsletter
• Maintaining an effective production process and schedule
• Maintaining the website and social media platforms
• Coordinating with all program areas to ensure appropriate, current stories and information are being disseminated to the public and our stakeholders
• Working with media outlets on a limited basis

Required Skills and Capacities:

• Highly effective writer
• Ability to take complex subjects and communicate them clearly, simply, and powerfully
• Ability to translate jargon and technical language into straightforward communications
• Commitment to social inclusion, anti-oppression, racial, sexual, and economic justice.
• Strong research and communication skills. Need to be able to quickly and thoroughly research foundations, programs, boards, program officers, and track current trends.
• Familiarity with one of the following topics and fields: community and economic development, urban planning, social justice, community organizing, or related area.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Preferred Skills

• Prior experience in any of the following:
  • Grant writing
  • Communications for organization or company
  • Maintaining social media presence for organization or company
  • Journalism
  • Speech writing
• Spanish fluency
• Experience living and working in the Bronx and NYC.

Compensation: $45-55k based on experience. 

Applying: Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@commonwise.nyc.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

People of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.

CommonWise Education is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discriminatory employment actions and treatment against employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, past incarceration, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is prohibited by law, as is harassment based on any of the above-protected categories.