Advocacy Manager

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Ali Forney Center (AFC) protects LGBTQ+ youth from homelessness and helps them build the tools needed to live independently. Founded in 2002, AFC provides housing, healthcare, and educational support to thousands of youth each year. AFC creates an affirming, supportive environment where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive.

SCHEDULE: Monday–Friday, 9-5pm, 10am -6pm, (schedule negotiable) with occasional evening and weekend hours as needed to support organizational, programmatic, and funding requirements.

LOCATION: New York City; hybrid work schedule with regular on-site presence at AFC locations and travel between program sites, government offices, and external meetings as needed.

EDUCATION: High School Diploma required; college degree preferred.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is responsible for managing AFC’s City and State discretionary funding portfolio, including the identification, drafting, submission, and tracking of both operational and capital applications. This role will focus on building and maintaining the systems, calendars, and organizational processes that keep every application on schedule and audit-ready, in coordination with the Senior Director of Advocacy and Global Programs and the Director of Advocacy. This role will manage all discretionary funding tools and portals and oversee the preparation of application narratives and budgets by collaborating with the Advocacy, Finance, Operations, Program departments and Executive Leadership. Upon award, this role partners with the Director of Government Contracts & Compliance to ensure a smooth transition into registration, implementation, and reporting — supporting the full life cycle of each award. This role also provides broader support to the advocacy agenda through coalition coordination, legislative tracking, and the preparation of advocacy materials.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Discretionary Funding

• Manage, draft, and submit City, State and Federal discretionary funding applications for both operational and capital needs.
• Assists CapGrant submissions with narrative writing, information gathering and document collection.
• Own the discretionary funding calendar: track opportunities, eligibility, and deadlines across City Council, Borough President, State and Federal legislative/agency sources.
• Keep all applications organized and reporting-ready — portals, registrations, attachments, and version control (e.g., NYC PASSPort/HHS Accelerator, NYS SFS/Grants Gateway, prequalification and MWBE documentation).
• Draft application narratives and budgets; gather and coordinate inputs from Senior Director of Advocacy, Director of Advocacy, Contracted Lobbyists, Finance, Operations, Programs, and Executive Leadership
• Serve as the accountable owner who keeps the Senior Director and Director of Advocacy on schedule, routing items for their strategic input and review.
• Manage post award government communication to the Director of Government Contracts and Compliance for post award management and reporting.

Broader Advocacy Support

• Coordinate coalitions, meetings, sign-on letters, and campaign logistics.
• Draft talking points, fact sheets, and advocacy communications for review.
• Track legislation and policy developments affecting LGBTQ+ youth homelessness.
• Maintain advocacy trackers, contact lists, and follow-up so nothing falls through the cracks.
• Represent AFC at advocacy events.