Grant Writer

Position Summary

The Grant Writer is a part-time position responsible for supporting Jawonio's mission by identifying, developing, submitting, and managing grant opportunities from government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other funding sources. The Grant Writer will work collaboratively with program leadership, Finance, Development, and other departments to develop compelling proposals, ensure compliance with grant requirements, track grant-funded activities and expenditures, and prepare accurate and timely reports to funders.

This position requires strong writing, organizational, analytical, and relationship-management skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple grants, deadlines, and reporting requirements simultaneously. The Grant Writer will develop an understanding of Jawonio's programs and services and effectively communicate the organization's impact, funding needs, outcomes, and priorities to current and prospective funders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Grant Research, Writing and Submission

• Research and identify government, foundation, corporate, and other grant opportunities that align with Jawonio's mission, programs, strategic priorities, and funding needs.
• Maintain a pipeline of prospective grant opportunities and provide recommendations regarding grants that Jawonio should pursue.
• Prepare letters of inquiry, concept papers, grant applications, proposals, renewal applications, and other funding requests.
• Work with program and administrative leadership to gather the information, data, budgets, outcomes, and supporting documentation necessary for grant applications.
• Develop clear and compelling narratives describing Jawonio's programs, community needs, organizational capabilities, expected outcomes, and impact.
• Coordinate the internal review and approval of grant applications prior to submission.
• Ensure grant applications are complete, accurate, responsive to funder requirements, and submitted by established deadlines.
• Maintain current organizational information and standard grant materials that can be used efficiently across funding applications.

Funder Relations

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with current and prospective grantors.
• Communicate with funders regarding funding opportunities, applications, grant requirements, reporting expectations, and other grant-related matters.
• Participate in meetings, conference calls, site visits, and other communications with funders as appropriate.
• Coordinate with executive leadership, Development, Finance, and program leadership in preparing for funder meetings and site visits.
• Respond to funder requests for additional information and coordinate timely organizational responses.
• Support efforts to strengthen long-term relationships with government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other funding partners.

Grant Administration and Compliance

• Maintain a comprehensive grant calendar and tracking system that includes application deadlines, award periods, reporting deadlines, deliverables, funding restrictions, and other grant requirements.
• Review grant agreements and award documents and communicate grant requirements to the appropriate program, Finance, and administrative staff.
• Work collaboratively with departments receiving grant funding to ensure they understand grant objectives, deliverables, allowable activities, reporting requirements, and timelines.
• Monitor progress toward grant-funded objectives and identify potential concerns regarding performance, spending, deadlines, or compliance.
• Maintain organized grant files containing applications, award letters, agreements, budgets, correspondence, reports, and other required documentation.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with funder requirements and applicable organizational policies.

Financial Tracking and Coordination

• Collaborate closely with the Finance Department to monitor grant budgets, expenditures, remaining balances, and spending timelines.
• Regularly compare program activities and grant expenditures against approved budgets and grant requirements.
• Assist Finance and program leadership in identifying potential budget variances, underspending, overspending, or other issues requiring attention.
• Coordinate with Finance regarding financial information required for grant applications, interim reports, final reports, audits, and other funder requests.
• Assist with grant budget development and budget modifications in collaboration with Finance and program leadership.
• Ensure that financial information included in funder reports is consistent with information maintained by the Finance Department.

Outcomes, Metrics and Reporting

• Work with program departments to establish and track the performance measures, outcomes, outputs, and other metrics required by funders.
• Develop systems and timelines for collecting grant-related program data from responsible departments.
• Monitor progress toward grant objectives and deliverables throughout the grant period rather than solely at the time reports are due.
• Prepare and submit timely interim, annual, and final grant reports.
• Collaborate with program leadership to analyze and communicate program accomplishments, outcomes, challenges, and impact.
• Ensure reports accurately reflect program performance and financial activity and meet funder requirements.
• Maintain records of grant outcomes and accomplishments that can support future applications and demonstrate Jawonio's impact.

Internal Collaboration

The Grant Writer will work collaboratively across the organization, including with:

• Executive Leadership
• Finance
• Development/Foundation
• Program and Division Leadership
• Quality and Compliance
• Human Resources, as applicable
• Facilities and Information Technology, when grants involve capital or technology initiatives
• Other departments responsible for implementing grant-funded activities

The Grant Writer is expected to establish clear internal timelines and communicate proactively with departments regarding information, documentation, metrics, and approvals needed to meet grant deadlines.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in communications, English, public administration, nonprofit management, business, social sciences, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of grant writing, grant administration, nonprofit development, or related experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience preparing successful grant proposals strongly preferred.
• Experience with government and private foundation grants preferred.
• Experience working in a nonprofit, health and human services, disability services, behavioral health, education, or related environment is highly desirable.
• Experience managing grant reporting requirements and coordinating financial and programmatic information preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong grant writing, editing, proofreading, and research abilities.
• Ability to translate complex program information and data into clear and compelling narratives.
• Strong project-management and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple grants, projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to develop productive working relationships with funders and internal stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills and comfort working with budgets, expenditures, program data, and performance metrics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel, and ability to learn grant-management and online grant-submission systems.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multiple departments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.