Director of Grants - New York Foundation of the Arts

MISSION and VISION

The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) mission is to
empower cultural workers, arts organizations, and, in particular,
artists in all disciplines of the visual, performance, media, and
literary arts at critical stages in their creative lives. NYFA’s
vision is to help artists to sustain themselves economically
through a lens of equity, diversity, inclusion, and
disabilities.

CORE VALUES

NYFA’s leadership is team based. All members of the senior staff
are expected to work with their

colleagues both horizontally and vertically in an open,
collaborative, and collective culture.

Ideas in the organization for any department can come from any
level and encouragement is

given to such interactions, shared understandings, and
transparency.

NYFA values colleagues who are proactive, eager to co-create and
brainstorm ideas, and who

offer solutions to challenges, with a willingness to navigate
complex situations with diplomacy,

patience, and good humor.

NYFA recognizes the historic and systemic marginalization of
people by race, ethnicity,

immigration status, religion, age, geography, ability, sexual
orientation, and/or gender and

gender-identity. NYFA is committed to providing the necessary
resources to empower artists, cultural workers and community
specific arts organizations to define and achieve success on their
own terms.

NYFA will continuously work to identify, acknowledge,
understand, and dismantle both its own institutional structures of
oppression and those of the larger world. NYFA continually
strengthens its partnerships locally, nationally, and
internationally, believing that only through collective action and
collaboration can NYFA revise its practices to uphold the values of
equity, diversity, inclusion, and disability access and
support.

THE ORGANIZATION

NYFA was established in 1971 as an independent nonprofit service
organization to serve

individual artists throughout New York State. Since then, NYFA
has extended its comprehensive

programs and services throughout the United States and the
international community.

NYFA’s programs and resources are far-reaching and are provided
through several areas of support, including funding opportunities,
fiscal sponsorship, online information resources, and
entrepreneurial-based direct service programs. Each year, NYFA
awards over $4 million in cash grants to individual artists in all
disciplines throughout the United States and its territories.

THE POSITION

Reporting to the executive director, the director of grants will
act as a key member of the senior executive team and be responsible
for 1) overseeing all aspects of NYFA’s ten grant programs
throughout New York City, New York State, and the United States; 2)
overseeing NYFA’s work sample review program which presents mock
panels for schools and membership organizations; 3) supporting the
development and implementation of strategic planning for the
department; and 4) representing NYFA in
meetings/events/presentations with funders and other
stakeholders.

The successful candidate will have a broad range of skills, but
above all, they must be curious, ambitious, flexible thinkers and
love tackling challenges on a regular basis. The director
supervises a small team, and needs to be flexible and take on
additional responsibilities throughout the year relating to growing
NYFA’s awards and grants program.

Key Responsibilities

Develop, Review and proofread program guidelines, application
forms, final reports and administrative documents relating to grant
programs

Manage communications and cultivate relationships with
applicants, grantees, panelists, partners and funders

Support Grants team members and consultants on panel reviews,
info sessions, and other public facing events

Recruit state-wide members for the Artist Advisory Committee and
coordinate and moderate annual meetings

With Communications staff, develop outreach strategies to reach
all eligible artists

With Development staff maintain close relationships with funders
of regrant programs

With Finance staff ensure smooth processing of payments to
panelists and grant recipients

Analyze results of each program through the equity lens, and
continually work to expand geographic and demographic diversity of
applicants, recipients and panelists

Provide advice and assistance to other NYFA programs seeking
participation of NYFA-affiliated artists

Strategically seek out new partners to grow Work Sample Review
program

Lead the grants data retention and integration on the
NeonCRM

Qualifications

Minimum of 5 years experience in overseeing arts funding and/or
other relevant grantmaking experience, preferably at a nonprofit
cultural organization but those in others sectors are encouraged to
apply.

Demonstrated success at facilitating discussions, and building
relationships.

Accomplished and collaborative team leader with a proven ability
to act as a thought partner, engage comfortably with staff at all
levels, solve problems collaboratively and lead by influence rather
than authority.

Exceptional oral and written communication skills with expertise
in multiple communication modes.

Strategic thinker who can demonstrate a practice of addressing
immediate needs and developing long-term

Strategies.

A demonstrated strong understanding of New York State artists
communities and resources in the communities

Excellent organizational, time and work-flow management
skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines

Highly proficient with G Suite and Microsoft Suite

Past experience with Submittable, NeonCRM and Asana a plus

Foreign language a plus, preferably Spanish or Mandarin.

Desired Competencies

Demonstrates a capacity for collaborative leadership

Earns the trust of stakeholders by stewarding to build a
cohesive and engaged community in a positive and equitable
environment.

Sets clear expectations, provides constructive and timely
feedback/guidance and holds individuals accountable.

Ability to unlock the creative potential of groups/teams and the
organization.

Ability to successfully navigate change through agility and
adaptability.

Works to identify, mitigate and resolve conflicts.

Balances and addresses competing priorities without becoming
overwhelmed.

Remains focused, composed and optimistic when faced with
adversity, disappointment or opposition.

Embraces cultural intelligence, demonstrating a capability to
work effectively across cultures.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position at 40 hours per week. The salary
for this position is $75,000, plus paid time off (vacation,
personal, and sick day), 80% employer contribution for health
insurance with optional dental and vision, and a 403b (employer
matching contributions begins phased in after two years).  The
New York Foundation for the Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer
with a commitment to supporting a more equitable arts sector. 
Our values of equity, diversity, and inclusion are critical to our
mission to serve all artists, and NFYA recognizes that diversity in
our workforce fosters excellence in our mission.  Individuals
of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 
NYFA’s offices are accessible.

NYFA During Covid

NYFA is currently operating a hybrid working environment:
Tuesday through Thursday in the office (9:30 AM – 5:30 PM); Monday
and Friday remotely.  Staff also have the option to work in
the office all week and NYFA can offer flex-time hours. An altered
schedule may be required if NYFA, as an organization, changes its
policy.  Currently, proof of vaccination is required for staff
and visitors.

Applications

Please send a single PDF, including a cover letter and resume to
[email protected] with “Director of
Grants” in the subject title. No phone calls please. Only
applicants invited to interview will be contacted.