Jobs and Internships

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is the leading national organization working to improve public policy to eradicate hunger and under-nutrition in the United States. FRAC engages in research, analysis, training, technical assistance, advocacy, and public education to improve public nutrition programs and broaden their reach. FRAC and its anti-hunger partners throughout the U.S. work to alert the public and policymakers to the extent of hunger and its impact, and forge workable solutions at the national, state and community levels.

Current Openings and General Internship Information

Anti-Hunger Program Associate – D.C. Hunger Solutions

Position Available

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) seeks an Anti-Hunger Program Associate for its D.C. Hunger Solutions project. The Program Associate will focus on improving participation rates and nutrition quality in school meals and afterschool and summer nutrition programs. The ideal candidate must be committed to addressing hunger and poverty in the District of Columbia and be a highly motivated and skilled individual. This full-time position reports to the Director of D.C. Hunger Solutions.

Organizational Background

FRAC is the leading national non-profit research and advocacy organization working to reduce hunger and poverty and improve nutrition among low-income people in the United States.

Founded in 2002, D.C. Hunger Solutions is a separately staffed and budgeted project of FRAC, seeking to end hunger in the nation’s capital.  D.C. Hunger Solutions works to carry out this mission by: 1) maximizing participation and benefits in the federal nutrition programs (SNAP/food stamps; WIC; school meals; and summer, afterschool, and child care meals); 2) improving public policies to end hunger, reduce poverty, promote nutrition, and curb obesity; and 3) increasing access to healthy, affordable food in low-income District neighborhoods.  D.C. Hunger Solutions leads or plays a key supporting role in the efforts of the various anti-hunger and anti-poverty coalitions throughout the city (e.g., the D.C. Fair Budget Coalition, Defeat Poverty D.C, the D.C. Alliance for Youth Advocates, the D.C. Farmers’ Market Collaborative, and the Healthy Affordable Food for All Coalition).  In 2006, D.C. Hunger Solutions, in collaboration with FRAC and Share Our Strength, launched the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in the nation’s capital.

Through advocacy, research, coalition-building, outreach, technical assistance, public education, and program monitoring, the Anti-Hunger Program Associate will be responsible for working to increase participation in and improving the quality of child nutrition programs in the District of Columbia, with a focus on those programs available for school-aged children (e.g., school breakfast and lunch, afterschool snacks and meals, summer meals).  As part of the D.C. Hunger Solutions’ team, the Associate also will work to advance the goals of D.C. Hunger Solutions, to support the efforts of partner coalitions, and to address broader community food security issues in Washington, D.C.

Responsibilities

  • Help promote and implement free school breakfast and breakfast served through alternative service models (such as breakfast in the classroom, “grab and go” breakfast, or second chance breakfast) in D.C. public and public charter schools.  This will include frequent visits to schools to meet with principals, teachers, food and nutrition service staff, students, parents, and other school stakeholders to support and assess breakfast program implementation, connect stakeholders to best practices, and deliver breakfast- and nutrition-related materials.
  • Analyze policies and practices that foster or inhibit program participation in nutrition programs, with a focus on school meals and other nutrition programs available for schools.
  • Provide assistance to key stakeholders to implement the D.C. Healthy Schools Act of 2010 and convene and attend meetings/events to promote Healthy Schools Act implementation. This will include responsibility for the content maintenance of a website that houses information on school progress to date, relevant research on school nutrition and physical activity, a calendar of wellness activities and events for school stakeholders, and information from website collaborators.
  • Work with community and faith-based organizations to improve access to nutrition programs with a focus on afterschool meals and summer meals.  This will include the development of a plan to help interested stakeholders sponsor more meal sites.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of strategies to increase participation in other federal nutrition programs through site visits, outreach, research, technical assistance, public education, policy advocacy, work with the media, and the development of materials.
  • Collect and report data on participation rates in public nutrition programs and analyze community food security trends.
  • Work, as part of the D.C. Hunger Solutions’ team, to alert the public and policymakers about the extent of hunger and its impact on District of Columbia residents and to forge workable solutions at the local level.

Skills and Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two years relevant experience.
  • Strong oral, written and organizational skills.
  • Ability to reach out effectively to low-income families, school officials, and community-based organizations eligible for program benefits.
  • Good conceptual, strategic thinking and creative skills.
  • Detail-oriented planning and implementation skills.
  • Willingness to work varied hours.
  • Ability to manage several tasks simultaneously.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Strong teamwork capabilities.
  • Experience with anti-hunger programs and/or with D.C. public schools and/or public charter schools a plus.
  • Ability to speak Spanish a plus.

Salary and Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience. Generous leave, health and other benefits.

To Apply

Send resume, writing sample (not to exceed three pages), and cover letter providing a summary of accomplishments and experience to:

Anti-Hunger Program Associate Search—D.C. Hunger Solutions
Food Research and Action Center
1875 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 540
Washington, DC 20009

E-mail: employment@dchunger.org (Please include “Anti-Hunger Program Associate – DC” in subject line.)
Fax: 202-986-2525
No phone calls please

Closing Date

When filled.  However, FRAC/D.C. Hunger Solutions seeks to hire a qualified individual as soon as possible.

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on sex, race, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic or national origin.

Posted: March 2012

Communications Associate

Position Available

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), a nonprofit public policy, research, and advocacy organization that works to end hunger in the U.S., is seeking a Communications Associate.

The Communications Associate’s primary responsibility will be increasing awareness of the breadth and depth of hunger and working with state and local groups on media strategy and outreach for both traditional and online vehicles.  This position will report to the Communications Coordinator.

Organizational Background

The Food Research and Action Center is the leading national nonprofit organization working to improve public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and undernutrition in the United States. FRAC works in partnership with hundreds of national, state and local nonprofit organizations, public agencies, corporations and labor organizations to address hunger, food insecurity, and their root cause, poverty.

FRAC has recently been awarded a grant to expand communications support and help build the institutional capacity of the state and local network to further strengthen the effectiveness and reach of its anti-hunger advocacy, public education, and outreach. This newly created position will provide the primary support for this effort.

Duties and Responsibilities

This position will primarily focus on state-based press and communications work. Both directly and in conjunction with state and local groups, the associate will:

  • Develop media plans and calendars with and for network groups;
  • Write and develop press releases, announcements, web text, and other materials with and for network groups;
  • Strengthen relationships and maintain communications with state-based reporters and bloggers covering the issues upon which the organization works;
  • Conduct media research; build and update traditional and non-traditional media contact lists;
  • Track and research coverage in the media and utilize results to build new communication strategies;
  • Keep pace with technology and new media developments;
  • Assist with communications and general office tasks as they arise.

Desired Qualifications and Abilities

  • Minimum two years of related work experience in communications.
  • BA degree or higher in journalism, communications, English, or related field.
  • Strong writing, research, and editing abilities, knowledge of AP writing style.
  • Good news judgment, ability to write compelling news releases and engaging web copy and stories in fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to work with and support state and local partners of varying size and media capabilities.
  • Willingness to take initiative, and motivation to seek new learning opportunities.
  • Keen attention to detail when proofreading, copyediting, and fact-checking.
  • Ability to juggle multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines.
  • Desktop publishing, HTML, and related computer skills.
  • Interest and/or experience in graphic design and/or social media a plus.
  • Commitment to social justice and interest in hunger and poverty and their impact upon communities, families, and individuals.

Salary/Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience. Generous leave, health, retirement and other benefits.

To Apply

Send resume, cover letter, and writing samples (no more than four pages) to:

Communications Associate Search
Food Research and Action Center
1875 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 540
Washington, DC 20009

Email: employment@frac.org  (Please include “Communications Associate” in subject line.)
Fax: 202/986-2525

No phone calls, please.

Opening/Closing Dates

The position is available immediately. It will close when filled. However, FRAC seeks to hire a qualified individual as soon as possible.

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on age, sex, race, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic or national origin.

Development Associate – State Initiatives

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is the leading national organization working to improve public policy to eradicate hunger and under-nutrition in the United States. FRAC engages in advocacy, research, analysis, policy development, training, technical assistance, and public education to improve public nutrition programs (e.g., food stamps, school meals, summer and afterschool food) and anti-poverty programs and broaden their reach. FRAC and its partners work to alert the public and policymakers to the extent of hunger and its impacts and to forge workable solutions at the national, state and community levels. (For more information, visit www.frac.org.)

FRAC works with a network of state and city anti-hunger organization partners, and in two places the leading state anti-hunger group is part of FRAC. In 2002, FRAC launched D. C. Hunger Solutions (housed at FRAC’s Washington, DC headquarters) to combat hunger and improve nutrition in the District of Columbia. In 2007, FRAC launched Maryland Hunger Solutions (based in Baltimore, Maryland), which has brought these same proven advocacy, public policy and public education strategies to the fight against hunger in Maryland.  (For more information on these state initiatives, visit www.dchunger.org and www.mdhungersolutions.org.)

Position Available

FRAC seeks an experienced professional to lead fundraising efforts for its state-based initiatives, D.C. Hunger Solutions and Maryland Hunger Solutions. These separately staffed and budgeted projects advance FRAC’s mission by working with a network of partners in, respectively, the District of Columbia and Maryland to make the federal nutrition programs accessible to all those who are in need. Reporting to FRAC’s Director of Development, the Development Associate – State Initiatives will work closely with the Director of Development, the Senior Manager of Foundation Relations, the directors of D.C. Hunger Solutions and Maryland Hunger Solutions, FRAC’s President, and other development and program staff to conceptualize and implement successful fundraising strategies for the state initiatives.

Responsibilities

  • Develop proactive strategies for maximizing giving among existing and prospective donors—including strengthening relationships with current donors, conducting prospect research, and laying the groundwork for cultivation by senior staff of new foundation, corporate and major gift prospects;
  • Write compelling proposals, letters of inquiry and reports to select foundations and corporations in collaboration with  program and development staff;
  • Ensure timely submission of proposals and reports;
  • Manage monthly D.C. Hunger Solutions and Maryland Hunger Solutions development meetings;
  • Plan and manage occasional fundraising events for prospective donors;
  • Represent D.C. Hunger Solutions and Maryland Hunger Solutions at select meetings and events; and,
  • Perform other duties as needed, including occasional grant writing for national FRAC work and assisting with annual FRAC fundraising event.

Skills and Qualifications

  • Minimum of two years’ experience working in nonprofit development;
  • Grant writing experience;
  • Ability to understand and write clearly, quickly and compellingly about complicated material and strategies;
  • Expertise in working in organizational partnerships and balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders;
  • Excellent organizational, oral communication, and interpersonal skills;
  • Meticulous attention to detail;
  • Strong technology and computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and database management;
  • Commitment to social justice work; and,
  • Bachelor’s degree required.

Salary and Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience; excellent health, dental, retirement and other benefits; generous leave; enthusiastic and supportive staff.

To Apply

Send résumé, brief writing sample (no more than three pages), and cover letter providing a summary of accomplishments and experience to:

Development Associate – State Initiatives Search
Food Research and Action Center
1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 540
Washington, DC 20009

E-mail: employment@frac.org

Fax:  202-986-2525

No phone calls please.

Preferred Start Date: July 23, 2012

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.  FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on sex, race, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic or national origin.

Posted: May 21, 2012

Grants Writer/Manager of Foundation Relations

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is the leading national organization working to improve public policy to eradicate hunger and under-nutrition in the United States. FRAC engages in advocacy, research, analysis, policy development, training, technical assistance, and public education to improve public nutrition programs (e.g., food stamps, school meals, summer and afterschool food) and anti-poverty programs and broaden their reach. FRAC and its partners work to alert the public and policymakers to the extent of hunger and its impacts and to forge workable solutions at the national, state and community levels. (For more information, visit www.frac.org.)

Position Available

FRAC seeks an experienced fundraising professional to manage all aspects of the organization’s national grantseeking activities. Reporting directly to FRAC’s Director of Development, the Grants Writer/Manager of Foundation Relations will work closely with the Director of Development, other development and program staff, and FRAC’s President to conceptualize and implement successful fundraising strategies for FRAC’s national work.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement proactive strategies for maximizing grants from existing and prospective donors—including strengthening relationships with current donors, conducting prospect research, and laying the groundwork for cultivation by senior staff of new foundation and corporate prospects;
  • Write compelling concept papers and proposals, letters of inquiry and reports to select foundations and corporations in collaboration with  program and development staff;
  • Ensure timely submission of proposals and reports;
  • Manage monthly FRAC grant development meetings;
  • Represent FRAC at select meetings and events; and,
  • Perform other duties as needed, including assisting with annual FRAC fundraising event.

Skills and Qualifications

  • Minimum of three years’ experience working in a nonprofit development office;
  • Substantial grant writing experience;
  • Ability to understand and write clearly, quickly and compellingly about complicated programmatic material and plans;
  • Excellent organizational, oral communication, and interpersonal skills;
  • Meticulous attention to detail;
  • Strong technology and computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and database management;
  • Commitment to social justice work; and,
  • Bachelor’s degree required.

Salary and Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience; excellent health, dental, retirement and other benefits; generous leave; enthusiastic and supportive staff.

To Apply

Send résumé, writing sample, and cover letter providing a summary of accomplishments and experience to:

Manager of Foundation Relations Search
Food Research and Action Center
1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 540
Washington, DC 20009

E-mail: employment@frac.org

Fax:  202-986-2525

No phone calls please.

Preferred Start Date:  July 16, 2012

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.  FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on sex, race, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic or national origin.

Posted: May 21, 2012

Outreach and Training Coordinator

Position Available

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), a nonprofit public policy, research, and advocacy organization that works to end hunger in the U.S., is seeking an Outreach and Training Coordinator to support FRAC’s afterschool and summer nutrition program expansion work; to work in selected states and cities to increase participation in the afterschool and summer nutrition programs; and to develop on-line resources to support efforts to increase participation. This position is funded as a special project focused on working with city officials. The Outreach and Training Coordinator will report to FRAC’s Director of School and Out-of-School Time Programs. The position is not a permanent position and is available for one year.

Organizational Background

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is the leading national nonprofit organization working to improve public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and undernutrition in the United States. FRAC works with hundreds of national, state and local nonprofit organizations, state and local public agencies, schools, corporations and labor organizations to address hunger, food insecurity, and their root cause, poverty.

FRAC’s afterschool and summer nutrition program expansion work is part of its Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, which focuses on increasing low-income children’s access to the federal nutrition programs. The afterschool and summer nutrition programs play a crucial role in reducing childhood hunger and improving children’s health and educational achievement, but serve only a fraction of the low-income children who need access to these programs. This position will focus on using strategies that have been proven to increase afterschool and summer nutrition program participation, with a focus on outreach and providing technical support to cities, schools, and nonprofits, anti-hunger organizations, and other key stakeholders in order to drive participation growth.

Responsibilities

  • Work in target cities to increase the number of children participating in the afterschool and summer nutrition programs.
  • Effectively market afterschool and summer nutrition expansion strategies.
  • Speak at meetings, conferences, and on webinars to diverse audiences and community leaders.
  • Work with partner organizations to develop training and resources for their affiliates and members.
  • Provide technical support to state and local anti-hunger advocates.
  • Develop web-based resources for anti-hunger advocates, school officials, and other stakeholders.
  • Assist in the development of reports and outreach materials.
  • Track and analyze participation data.
  • Travel required.

Skills and Qualifications

  • Ability to meet deadlines and achieve goals.
  • Very strong writing, interpersonal, analytical, research, public speaking, and organizational skills.
  • Ability to work with a wide range of groups and individuals.
  • Knowledge of the child nutrition programs and other government programs for low-income children preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree, plus at least one year of relevant work experience.
  • Commitment to working for social justice.
  • Experience working with cities, schools, public agencies, and nonprofits.
  • Strong detail-oriented planning and implementation skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Understanding of hunger and poverty and their impact upon communities, families, and individuals.

Salary/Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience. Generous leave, health, retirement and other benefits.

To Apply

The position is available immediately.

Send resume, cover letter and brief writing sample (no more than four pages) to:

Outreach and Training Coordinator Search Committee
Food Research and Action Center
1875 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 540
Washington, D.C.  20009

Email: employment@frac.org (Please include “Outreach and Training Coordinator” in subject line.)
Fax:  202/986-2525
No phone calls, please.

Opening/Closing Dates

When filled. However, FRAC seeks to hire a qualified individual as soon as possible.

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on age, sex, race, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic or national origin.

Posted:  February 8, 2012

Senior Manager, Anti-Hunger Programs – Maryland Hunger Solutions

Position

Maryland Hunger Solutions, an initiative of the Food Research and Action Center, seeks a highly motivated and skilled individual to join the organization as a Senior Manager, Anti-Hunger Programs. The ideal candidate must be committed to addressing poverty and hunger in Maryland; be an experienced and strong advocate with both programmatic and staff development experience; have a proven ability to excel at working in partnerships; have experience balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders; demonstrate team leadership skills and be a self-starter.  This full-time position will be located in Baltimore, Maryland, with some travel around the state required.

Organizational Background

Maryland Hunger Solutions (MDHS) is the leading Maryland non-profit working to reduce hunger and improve nutrition in the State of Maryland by improving participation and benefits in public nutrition and related programs.  MDHS’s focus is on using federal programs (e.g., food stamps, called the Food Supplemental Program in Maryland, school breakfast and lunch, summer and afterschool nutrition programs, WIC and other programs) to reduce hunger and its adverse effects; to improve economic security, health and nutrition and education; and to strengthen community institutions.

MDHS works to alert the public and policymakers about the extent of hunger and its impact on Maryland residents, to forge workable solutions at the state and local level, to track the performance of state and local agencies, to identify and spread best practices and to engage a network of partners to make the federal nutrition programs accessible to all those who are in need.   MDHS is a core member of the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger, a public-private coalition led by the Governor’s Office for Children to raise awareness about childhood hunger in the state and increase participation in nutrition programs that combat hunger. MDHS leads the Maryland Food Access and Nutrition Network and is a key participant in various other anti-hunger and anti-poverty coalitions.  For more information on MDHS, see http://www.mdhungersolutions.org.

MDHS is an initiative of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), the leading national anti-hunger organization. For more information on FRAC, see www.frac.org.

Responsibilities

The Senior Manager will take a leadership role in policy development, advocacy and coalition building as well as providing team leadership, staff development, and project management support.  Key goals include ensuring that the policies and practices of Maryland state and local agencies and school districts are designed to allow low-income families and individuals maximum access to nutrition programs; that the State, counties, school districts and community-based providers take advantage of options in federal law to maximize access and benefits; that outreach, organizing, collaborations, training and technical assistance allow families and individuals, community-based organizations, service providers, child care providers and others in the state to use the nutrition programs to the greatest extent possible; that the programs are providing healthy nutrition; and that the food security of Marylanders improves.

Responsibilities of the Senior Manager include:

  • Further strengthening the organization’s leadership of anti-hunger efforts in the state by assisting in the development and implementation of strategies to increase the participation of families and individuals in public nutrition programs;
  • Conducting outreach, education, and policy and data analysis;
  • Helping to manage staff projects and assisting in staff development;
  • Providing information, technical assistance and hands-on support;
  • Making public presentations;
  • Participating in coalitions and grass-roots efforts; and,
  • Supporting communications efforts.

The Senior Manager will report to MDHS’ Director and will work closely with FRAC’s Chief of Staff.

Qualifications

  • Familiarity with and commitment to needs of persons with low income;
  • Minimum of 10 years of work experience, preferably with a focus on organizing, coalition-building and policy advocacy;
  • Undergraduate degree required; advanced degree in relevant area (such as public policy, law, public health, nutrition, social science) preferred but not required;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
  • Strong interpersonal skills;
  • Demonstrated experience leading teams, managing projects and setting priorities;
  • Ability to work independently and set and achieve program goals;
  • Willingness to work varied hours; and,
  • Flexibility to travel within Maryland.

Salary/Benefits: Salary dependent on experience; generous benefit package.

Closing Date: When filled. However, Maryland Hunger Solutions seeks to hire a qualified individual as soon as possible.

Application: Send letter, resume and writing sample (no more than three pages) to:

Senior Manager, Anti-Hunger Programs – Maryland Hunger Solutions
Food Research and Action Center
1875 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 540
Washington, DC 20009
Fax: (202) 986-2525
E-mail: employment@mdhungersolutions.org

No phone calls, please.

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.  FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on sex, race, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or national origin.

Posted:  May 14, 2012

General Internship Information

FRAC offers a variety of internship possibilities throughout the year. The number of internships available at any given time fluctuates. FRAC interns work as volunteers or with the support of third party funding sources, such as work study programs. We will be happy to assist you in getting academic credit for your internship.

Interns work directly with policy and development staff and are assigned to specific projects. Our staff considers mentoring an important part of any internship program.

Intern tasks have included working with FRAC’s state and local grassroots network, engaging in research and information analysis, working with Congressional policymakers, attending Congressional hearings, assisting in the production and release of FRAC’s special reports, and assisting with the organization’s fundraising and development activities.

Students with a strong commitment to public interest and anti-poverty issues are encouraged to apply. Other requirements include solid research, writing and communications skills, computer literacy and interest in/knowledge of the political process.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to:

Internship Coordinator
Food Research and Action Center
1875 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 540
Washington, DC 20009
fax: 202/ 986-2525