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Development Writer Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

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Grant Writer Location: New York, NY Salary : $70,000 - $75,000 Annual Salary Purpose: America Works of New York, Inc., a socially conscious company, is seeking a grant writer to join its Development ...

Learning and development stipend * Company-wide off-sites and team off-sites * Competitive compensation, company stock options and 401k WRITER is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to ...

Solutions architect (East)

New York, NY · On-site

$183K - $273K/yr

Lead the development and execution of compelling proofs of concept (PoCs) and demonstrations, building custom templates and integrating WRITER's capabilities to showcase transformative value and ...

Learning and development stipend * Company-wide off-sites and team off-sites * Competitive compensation, company stock options and 401k WRITER is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to ...

Learning and development stipend * Company-wide off-sites and team off-sites * Competitive compensation, company stock options and 401k WRITER is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to ...

Software engineer, agents

New York, NY · On-site

$111K - $218K/yr

Learning and development stipend * Company-wide off-sites and team off-sites * Competitive compensation, company stock options and 401k WRITER is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to ...

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Development Writer information

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$51.4K

$74K

$96.8K

How much do development writer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for development writer in New York is $73,960.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,200.00 and $85,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Development Writer typically collaborate with fundraising and program teams?

Development Writers work closely with fundraising teams to craft compelling grant proposals, donor communications, and case statements that align with organizational goals. They often meet with program staff to gather impact stories, data, and updates, ensuring that all written materials accurately reflect the organization's work and needs. This collaboration helps create persuasive content that resonates with funders and stakeholders, and also keeps messaging consistent across departments. Regular communication and feedback loops are key to producing effective fundraising materials.

What are Development Writers?

Development Writers are professionals who create persuasive written materials to support fundraising efforts for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and other entities. They craft grant proposals, donor communications, case statements, and other documents that help secure funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Development Writers work closely with fundraising teams and subject matter experts to clearly communicate an organization's mission, programs, and funding needs. Their writing is tailored to inspire potential donors and build lasting relationships. This role requires strong writing, research, and storytelling skills.

What Does a Development Writer Do?

A development writer is a liaison between a non-profit organization or foundation and the general public, including potential donors. In this career, your duties are to research prospects and draft written materials to help stakeholders understand the mission and goals of a non-profit. You also write and edit speeches to be delivered to the public. Your responsibilities also include overseeing advertising and promotions to make sure they align with the company’s policies and brand. As a development writer, you also participate in fundraising events by crafting informative communication to both increase the reach of the organization's efforts and solicit increased donations from donors.

What is the difference between Development Writer vs Content Writer?

AspectDevelopment WriterContent Writer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in English, Communications, or related fieldsOften requires similar credentials, but may accept diverse backgrounds
Work EnvironmentWorks in corporate, nonprofit, or grant-funded settings, focusing on proposals and reportsWorks across digital platforms, blogs, social media, and marketing content
Industry UsageCommon in nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutionsPrevalent in marketing, media, and advertising industries
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for writing scope and purposeCompared for style and audience engagement

Development Writers focus on creating proposals, grants, and reports to support organizational goals, often working in formal settings. Content Writers produce engaging digital content aimed at marketing and audience interaction. While both roles require strong writing skills and similar credentials, their work environments and objectives differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Development Writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Development Writer, you need strong writing, research, and storytelling skills, often supported by a background in communications, journalism, or English. Familiarity with donor management systems, fundraising platforms, and proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace is typically required. Excellent interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to tailor messages for diverse audiences help set outstanding candidates apart. These capabilities are crucial for crafting compelling fundraising materials that engage donors and support organizational growth.
What are the most commonly searched types of Development Writer jobs in New York? The most popular types of Development Writer jobs in New York are:
What are popular job titles related to Development Writer jobs in New York? For Development Writer jobs in New York, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in New York are hiring for Development Writer jobs? Cities in New York with the most Development Writer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Development Writer jobs in NY? For Development Writer jobs in NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Development Writer job openings in New York as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,960 per year, or $35.6 per hour.

Senior Development Writer

Success Academy Charter Schools

New York, NY • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


Success Academy rating

4.9

Company rating: 4.9 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

504th of 549 rated elementary and secondary schools


Job description

Thanks for your interest in Success Academy! Running a large, fast-growing, and high-performing network of public charter schools takes a village - families, children, teachers, staff and faculty, advocates, and supporters alike. We are growing fast in New York and expanding to Florida, and we would love to welcome you to our community! We work tirelessly every day to ensure children have access to a fun, rigorous, whole-child education regardless of zip code or economic status. When you join SA, you play a part in giving every student who walks through our doors a fair shot at reaching his or her potential.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Leader, External Relations and serving as a key member of the Advancement team, the Senior Development Writer advances the mission of Success Academy Charter Schools (SA) by authoring and/or editing compelling philanthropic narratives and other copy used in major and principal gift/grant proposals, solicitation materials for mid-level and direct response giving, stewardship reports/materials, bespoke donor correspondence, and similar documents - often writing on behalf of others. The incumbent will engage with executives and other team members to clearly articulate Success Academy's mission and impact through compelling and often bespoke storytelling and stewardship that inspires ever-increasing generosity among donors, institutional funders, and prospective supporters.
The Development Writer is a proactive, confident self-starter that thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment that values results. They are persistent and driven to succeed in advancing efforts to expand and retain a robust, engaged community of individual and institutional donors that enable SA to meet or exceed its ambitious goals to reinvent public education. Success in this role will require the following qualities:
  • Self-motivated, self-sufficient, and driven to lead and collaborate with others to achieve success
  • Detail-oriented and analytical
  • Strategic, proactive, and forward-thinking
  • Persuasive, outgoing, and confident with exceptional communication skills
  • Possesses the highest standards of personal and professional integrity; and adheres to and promotes SA's mission, culture, and strategic priorities.

Essential Functions:
Content Development: Writing and Editing
  • Brings the Success Academy story to life through compelling content that fosters engagement and inspires philanthropic support.
  • Writes and edits a significant volume of compelling and persuasive fundraising proposals, case for support and solicitation materials, and stewardship assets.
  • Develops, adapts, and customizes content that clearly outlines funding priorities and expected outcomes.
  • Ensures content is consistent in tone, style, and messaging, and aligned with SA priorities and aspirations.
  • Authors/edits bespoke donor correspondence.
  • Works closely with executives and members of the Advancement team to craft effective and compelling storytelling with fidelity to SA standards of excellence.
  • Partners with Advancement colleagues in developing compelling content for deployment across various donor constituencies, segments, and platforms in service for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship objectives. This includes serving as a resource to evaluate the writing of others.
  • Ensures that the department's editorial content is consistent with SA standards of excellence and quality and executed with precision, accuracy, and expedience.
  • Authors/edits donor newsletters and other updates to deepen engagement and advance fundraising and stewardship objectives.
  • Occasionally assists with the creation/editing of select content for special events, website updates, and digital/direct response appeals.

Stewardship
  • In close collaboration with CAO and Leader, External Relations, helps to coordinate bespoke communications with principal donors and other VIPs.
  • Drafts customized gift acknowledgements consistent with established protocols for major and principal gifts.
  • Assists Development team with implementing donor-specific stewardship plans and action and provides content to support these work streams.
  • Contributes significantly to the writing/editing of bespoke donor reports (in collaboration with CAO/Development team), including the annual Impact Report.
  • Collaborates with others across the organization to gather stories and data, translating them into impactful content that showcases scholar and other SA achievements and demonstrates the impact of philanthropic gifts.
  • Maintains record of distributed donor communications in donor database of record for reference by Advancement team.

Content Management and Project Management
  • Creates, develops, and proactively shares content that supports donor engagement and fundraising efforts and ensures consistent and meaningful messaging across platforms, tools, and messengers to support organizational priorities.
  • Integrates Advancement communication strategies with broader SA communications, marketing, and advocacy efforts, as appropriate.
  • Serves as primary steward of digital content resources, ensuring optimal systems, organization, accessibility, and intuitive navigation.
  • Tracks and manages proposals and other critical documents throughout review/approval processes with executives and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Creates and manages templates for proposals, decks, boilerplate language, and style guide(s) for the department.
  • Liaises with other departments/teams (i.e., Creative Agency, Communications, Advocacy, others) to facilitate coordination of content resources, communications calendar(s), and consistency/accuracy of content, including other media assets (e.g., photography, video, data visualization).

Other Administrative Responsibilities
  • Endeavors to remain abreast of SA programs, activities, accolades, and new initiatives to most effectively engage and/or steward donors to greater levels of support.
  • Utilizes and optimizes Raiser's Edge NXT database to effectively track and manage bespoke correspondence and stewardship actions, such as special acknowledgments and other VIP communications.
  • Participates in and helps staff SA/Advancement events, as needed.

Qualifications:
Education
  • Minimum Required: Bachelor's degree
  • Preferred: An advanced degree is beneficial.

Work Experience
  • Minimum Required: 4+ years of experience in persuasive writing. Experience writing for fundraising/development purposes strongly preferred.
  • Experience writing on behalf of executives with a broad range of voice and style is very beneficial.

Specialized Knowledge Needed for Performance of the Job
  • Demonstrated prior success in bespoke customer experience, donor engagement/stewardship, and/or donor communications.
  • Ability to adapt to a range of writing styles and produce outstanding written work on tight timelines with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Creative problem-solver;
  • Experience managing projects to specifications and to meet expected deadlines;
  • Knowledge of charter schools and the education reform landscape is beneficial.

Skills
  • Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
  • Ability to think strategically and contextually, and to anticipate the needs and expectations of manager and executives.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and multiple, concurrent tasks, exhibit flexibility, and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to analyze and present data effectively, make decisions, and align efforts with priorities and opportunities.
  • Acts with tact and discretion, respecting confidentiality and proprietary information.

Nice to haves
  • Strong computer skills, including fluency in Microsoft Office and Google suite.
  • Familiarity with Raiser's Edge NXT or similar CRM systems helpful.

Other
  • Possesses a passion for the mission of SA.
  • Ability to travel locally, occasionally work after hours, and on weekends.

Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience. This position is not bonus eligible.
Compensation Range
$95,000-$120,000 USD
Success Academy Charter Schools is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. Success Academy offers a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth.
Privacy Policy:
By providing your phone number, you consent to receive text message updates from Success Academy regarding your application. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. View our Privacy Policy.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We actively seek applications from people of all backgrounds to strengthen our community and the perspectives needed to flourish in a multicultural world. Success Academy offers a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth.
Success Academy Charter Schools does not offer employment-based immigration sponsorship.

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