Grants Writer
The Grants Writer is a full-time, 40 hours/week, non-exempt position at Real Change reporting to the Development Manager. The Grants writer is responsible for researching, preparing, submitting, and managing grant proposals/reports that support organization goals and meet funder guidelines and criteria. This person serves as the primary grant writer, manages funder relationships, engages in compliance reporting, and supports special project initiatives. This position requires strong writing, data analysis, program budgeting, project management skills, with an emphasis on outcome measurement.
Primary Roles and Responsibilities
Grant Writing (40%)
- Research new funding and business development opportunities on a local, state, and federal level
- Maintain and build relationships with funders and other strategic partners on a local, state, and national level
- Arrange meetings with funders and staff to explore funding opportunities
- Draft proposals/LOIs, grant application narratives, and budgets and collaborate to finalize with the Development Manager and/or Executive Director
- Submit grant applications via mail, email or online portals, and maintain list of passwords
- Maintain library of grant support documents including resumes, bios, IRS forms, Board/staff diversity lists, etc
- Execute thank you letters and facilitate grant contracts/agreements
- Coordinate with the Communications department to ensure acknowledgment of funders/investors via website, e-newsletter, and social media
Grant Tracking, Planning, and Reporting (40%)
- Monitor and maintain funder and investor reporting schedules and requirements
- Track progress toward organizational and programmatic outcomes and goals
- Request reimbursements and drawdowns as needed
- Work with the Development team to draft compelling progress reports and targeted program updates (e.g. blog posts, press releases, FB and twitter posts) to funders that fully capture programmatic success
- Assemble all necessary supporting materials and documents including budget reports, outcome measurements, success stories, etc.; submit reports to funders and investors
- Research statistics, trends and data for grant proposals and community advocacy
Manage Grant Portfolio (15%)
- Build and maintain a robust grant portfolio system and calendar, ensuring all new and existing funders are tracked and moved through the donor cycle in a timely manner
- Capture significant communications, relationship activities, submissions and reporting expectations in the grant database, as it relates to the portfolio
Other Duties (5%)
- Attend department and all staff meetings
- Perform other tasks as needed
- Support operation of the Vendor Center as assigned, including truck unload and/or sales desk
Required skills
- Ability to conduct thorough research about a variety of organizations and major funders
- Collaborative and effective communication in building strong relationships and crafting persuasive grant proposals
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills in assessing organizational needs and identifying potential funding opportunities
- Excellent customer service in fostering donor relationships and other external communications
- Strong time management & ability to communicate and hold others to firm deadlines, with a willingness to work until the job is done
- Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks efficiently
- Ability to bring an anti-oppressive lens to all parts of this work, with a willingness to keep an open mind and continually self-educate
This job description represents the minimum required level of performance necessary to be successful in the position and is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of functions or responsibilities that are required of the role. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time, and does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
Compensation: $25.50/hour, non-exempt, full time at 40 hours/week. Benefit package includes Health and Dental coverage, 3 weeks’ vacation, 2 weeks’ sick time, 11 holidays, 403B Retirement Fund with a 4% Real Change contribution, and professional development funds. This position is represented by IBEW Local 89.
To apply, please send your resume and a brief cover letter to [email protected] with “Grants Writer” and your last name in the subject line. We will be evaluating candidates based on the required skills- for a successful application, we encourage you to explicitly highlight your ability to perform these skills & any direct or related experience. We will continue to receive applications as long as this position is posted. Priority deadline for applications is April 22.