Grants Strategist

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY

Under the immediate supervision of the Executive Director, the Grants Strategist develops and manages PreventEd’s grant funding strategy to support organizational sustainability, program growth, and mission-driven work. This position researches funding opportunities, develops compelling proposals, manages grants through the full funding cycle, coordinates budgets and reporting, monitors compliance, and cultivates relationships with funders. The Grants Strategist works closely with Finance, program teams, and leadership to translate PreventEd’s programs, outcomes, and community impact into strong funding proposals and reports.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement an annual grant strategy aligned with PreventEd’s strategic priorities and funding needs.
• Research and identify foundation, corporate, government, and other grant opportunities.
• Write, edit, and submit grant proposals, letters of inquiry, renewals, continuation applications, and reports.
• Collaborate with program staff to gather program information, outcomes, data, and impact stories for proposals and reports.
• Partner with Finance to develop grant budgets, budget narratives, and financial reports.
• Maintain an up-to-date grant calendar and current tracking system for applications, awards, deadlines, reporting requirements, and compliance.
• Manage the grant lifecycle from opportunity identification through application, award, reporting, renewal, and closeout.
• Monitor grant requirements, deliverables, outcomes, spending, and compliance.
• Maintain organized grant files and supporting documentation.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with current and prospective funders.
• Coordinate funder meetings, site visits, audits, and other grant-related communications.
• Analyze grant performance, funding trends, and program outcomes to inform future funding strategies.
• Provide regular updates to leadership regarding grant opportunities, applications, awards, deadlines, and concerns.
• Collaborate across departments to strengthen data collection, outcomes reporting, and funding opportunities.
• Adheres to all internal and external privacy and confidentiality expectations regarding agency programs, staff and clients. 
• Represent PreventEd at community and professional events as appropriate.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES

 

• Strong writing, editing, research, organization, and project management skills.
• Strategic and creative thinker that utilizes resources available (such as grant databases or AI) only as supportive tools while still creating original applications. 
• Strong relationship builder
• Data-driven and analytical
• Experience developing grant proposals, budgets, reports, and supporting documentation.
• Strong ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Experience working with data, outcomes, and reporting requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel and ability to navigate grant software programs. 
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Nonprofit experience, particularly in prevention, behavioral health, substance use, recovery, education, public health, or human services.
• Experience with government grants and/or complex foundation grants.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed, person-centered, and recovery-oriented approaches.
• Communicate effectively with a diverse base of staff, donors, board members, community members, clients, etc.
• Willingness to work occasional weeknights and weekends.
• Committed to PreventEd’s mission and values

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Public Health, Social Work, Business, or related field OR
• Five or more years of experience in grant writing, grant management, fundraising, development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing grants from application through reporting and closeout.
• Experience with grant databases, CRM systems, or grant tracking software, Donor Perfect preferred

 

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

COMPUTER SKILLS

• E-mail, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, Donor Perfect data entry

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position works primarily in an office setting at the PreventEd agency location with possible travel in the community. Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and valid vehicle insurance.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate effectively. The physical requirements of this job include: sitting, standing, walking, and climbing stairs on a regular basis; lifting up to 25 lbs.; pulling and /or pushing on occasion.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily, as well as possess the skills to meet the demands outlined in this job description. Upon an individual’s request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable the individual with disabilities to perform the essential job duties and responsibilities, or responsibilities related to the skills and demands outlined herein. PreventEd will determine if reasonable accommodation can be made.

Why Join PreventEd?

At PreventEd, you’ll be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to prevention, treatment, and recovery. We value lived experience, teamwork, and community impact. This role offers a meaningful opportunity to support others while continuing your own professional growth.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and life experiences. Our team values different perspectives and believes that a wide range of voices makes us stronger and more effective in our work. If you’re passionate about what we do and believe you’d be a good fit, we encourage you to apply — even if your experience doesn’t match every listed qualification.

PreventEd was voted the Best Place to Work in St Louis for mid-sized business in 2025!!!