Grant Writer

Job Title: Institutional Giving Officer (Grant Writer & Manager) Department: Development Reports To: Director of Development FLSA/Status: Exempt, Full-Time Location: Athens, Georgia Schedule: Monday-Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM; Friday 8 AM to 12 PM Salary Range: $55,000 to $65,000 annually, commensurate with experience. About The Cancer Foundation The Cancer Foundation is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to alleviating the financial burden of cancer for patients and families across Northeast Georgia. We provide direct Financial Assistance and Nutritional Assistance to eligible individuals undergoing treatment, ensuring that a cancer diagnosis does not also become a financial catastrophe. Each year, we serve hundreds of households facing impossible choices: between paying rent and paying for gas to treatment, between groceries and utilities. Our work is urgent, tangible, and deeply human. We are a collaborative, fast-paced, and results-oriented organization committed to data-informed strategy, operational excellence, and equity in access to care. As we scale our impact over the next three years, institutional funding will be a cornerstone of our growth strategy. Why Join Us This is not a maintenance role. It is a growth mandate. The Institutional Giving Officer will have the opportunity, and the expectation, to build and shape their own institutional donor portfolio from the ground up, identifying new prospects, cultivating strategic relationships, and expanding long-term funding commitments. When you join The Cancer Foundation, you will: Contribute to a mission with immediate, measurable community impact Build and expand a high-value institutional donor portfolio Play a visible role in scaling a development operation designed for growth Work within a collaborative, high-performance team environment Translate impact into compelling, competitive proposals that unlock transformational funding Help define the next chapter of our institutional fundraising strategy This role offers both ownership and accountability. Success will be measured not simply by activity, but by sustainable revenue growth. Position Overview The Institutional Giving Officer is responsible for developing, managing, and significantly expanding a portfolio of institutional funders, including public, private, and family foundations, as well as corporate foundation programs. This role will lead the full lifecycle of institutional fundraising, from prospect research and pipeline development to proposal writing, grant management, reporting, and stewardship. While the officer will manage an initial working portfolio, a central expectation of the role is to strategically build, expand, and deepen their donor portfolio , positioning The Cancer Foundation for sustained institutional growth. The officer will manage a portfolio of 80–125 institutional prospects and current funders , with a primary focus on securing 5- to 7-figure grants and multi-year commitments. The Institutional Giving Officer will be responsible for securing at least $150,000 in new financial commitments within the first 12 months and for laying the foundation for long-term institutional revenue expansion. Key Responsibilities 1. Portfolio Development & Strategic Growth Build, expand, and strategically manage a portfolio of 80–125+ institutional prospects and funders . Identify and qualify new foundation funding opportunities aligned with strategic priorities. Develop individualized cultivation strategies for priority prospects. Build relationships with foundation staff and representatives. Establish multi-year funding pathways for high-capacity institutional partners. Continuously evaluate portfolio performance and rebalance for maximum revenue growth. 2. Grant Writing & Management Write, edit, and submit compelling, competitive grant proposals to public, private, family, and corporate foundations. Develop high-quality letters of inquiry (LOIs), concept papers, and full proposals. Translate program data, patient outcomes, and service delivery metrics into clear, persuasive narratives. Ensure timely submission of all proposals and required documentation. Track proposal status, deadlines, deliverables, reporting requirements, and funding outcomes with precision. Manage grant agreements, budgets, and compliance obligations in collaboration with leadership and accounting. 2. Pipeline Development & Prospect Research Build and manage a robust pipeline of institutional prospects using tools and research platforms. Identify and qualify new funding opportunities aligned with strategic priorities. Utilize CRM systems to track activity, proposals, outcomes, and pipeline metrics. 3. Stewardship & Reporting Develop and submit timely, high-quality grant reports that demonstrate measurable impact. Provide data-driven updates highlighting outcomes, client stories, and program performance. Partner with the Director of Development to create stewardship plans that deepen relationships and increase renewal rates. Identify opportunities for funder engagement, including site visits, impact briefings, and recognition strategies. Support and develop strategies to move institutional funders toward increased or multi-year commitments. 4. Cross-Departmental Collaboration Collaborate closely with program staff to gather data, stories, and impact metrics. Partner with the Accounting staff to ensure accurate budgets and reporting. Work with the leadership to ensure alignment in messaging and the case for support. Contribute to department-wide fundraising strategy and performance tracking. Champion equity-centered fundraising practices across all institutional engagement. First-Year Performance Goals Within the first 12 months, the Institutional Giving Officer will: Secure $150,000 in new institutional financial commitments Submit a minimum of 25–35 high-quality grant proposals or LOIs to reach the revenue goal Build and actively manage a portfolio of 80–100 institutional prospects Maintain a documented, data-informed institutional pipeline strategy Achieve a 100% on-time submission rate for all required reports and renewals Establish at least three new multi-year funding opportunities Demonstrate measurable portfolio growth through new prospect acquisition and upgraded commitments Qualifications Required 3+ years of experience in grant writing or institutional fundraising Demonstrated track record of securing competitive grants Proven experience building and managing a prospect portfolio and moving funders through a cultivation cycle Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate data into compelling narratives Experience with prospect research tools Proficiency with CRM databases and fundraising tracking systems Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in fundraising practice Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience Preferred Experience in health, cancer-related, or human services organizations Experience securing 5- to 7-figure grants Experience developing multi-year funding strategies Familiarity with outcomes measurement and impact reporting Knowledge of federal, state, or local grant processes Experience with nonprofit CRM platforms Competencies & Attributes The ideal candidate will demonstrate: Strategic portfolio-building capability Revenue growth mindset High emotional intelligence and donor-centered relationship-building skills Comfort operating in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment Strong analytical skills and comfort with performance metrics High initiative and accountability Deep alignment with our mission to reduce financial barriers to cancer care Compensation & Benefits The Cancer Foundation offers an annual salary range of $55,000 to $65,000, commensurate with experience, and a comprehensive benefits package (Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, Simple IRA with 3% match, and company-sponsored Short-Term Disability Insurance). We are committed to supporting professional growth and providing an inclusive, mission-aligned workplace. Work Environment: This position is based in our Athens, Georgia office, with occasional opportunities for remote work. Typical work hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Fridays, 8:00 AM to Noon, with occasional evening or weekend hours required for special events or deadlines. The Cancer Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants, and encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr