Description

The Grants Specialist will manage all aspects of grants, including research, writing, tracking, reporting, and acknowledgement. This position involves collaboration with other staff, board members, and partners as necessary in the completion of responsibilities. The ideal candidate for this role has strong writing skills, an eye for data and a desire to connect with our community of supporters. This position includes an option to work from home on occasion.

Accountability:

The Grants Specialist is accountable to the Director of Development & Communications.

Responsibilities:

• Write and/or edit grant proposal narrative, and collect/prepare supporting documents. 
• Coordinate the completion of grant budgets, and when appropriate, prepare a draft budget for review. 
• Convene the Grants Team to coordinate grant efforts with overall grants budget and funding priorities as outlined by the Director of Development & Communications. 
• Ensure all grant proposals have been reviewed and edited by a grants team member, program staff and/or assigned resource development committee member.
• Use tracked data in preparing monthly grant reports for presentation to grants team, resource development committee, finance committee and board of directors.
• For declined grants, request information from the grantor as to the reason for denial and opportunities for future application. 
• Ensure the submission of interim and final reporting of all grants using accurate data and information from appropriate staff.
• Research potential grant opportunities to determine appropriate match, priority, and likelihood of award.
• Collaborate with key staff to determine funding priorities, proposal outcomes, project activities and data to support grant requests. 
• Submit complete, accurate, professionally prepared grant requests by deadlines established by the grantor, or when no deadline exists, by the date determined by the grants team.
• Track status of all grant proposals, total funds requested from all sources, for what purpose, amount awarded and denied, deadlines, and reporting requirements in Salesforce.
• Work with appropriate Administrative, Program staff and others to ensure an understanding of grant objectives, staff resources, data and time tracking for activity and work products. 
• As a member of the Resource Development team, support the development and acquisition of organizational resources. 

General Agency Duties

• Be able to explain CMC program information to students, clients, residents, volunteers and others in the community.
• Present a positive image of the Center and its programs.
• Provide direction, guidance and support to volunteers and interns as relevant to role, foster relationships with, and show appreciation for volunteers with whom you are in direct contact.
• Contribute to the CMC newsletter, board/committee reports and other public information activities as needed. 
• Assist with CMC fundraising efforts and serve on event committees as needed.
• Maintain clean and organized facilities including the storage and archives.
• Assist with the shared staff responsibilities for security of the clients/volunteers and building.
• Perform other duties as requested/assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in journalism, public policy, or a related field preferred.
• Government grant experience preferred but not required.
• Experience managing projects within a database & producing reports.
• Salesforce experience preferred but not required.
• Ability to think critically and strategically.
• Excellent written and verbal/oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with others as part of a team. 
• Ability to work collaboratively, take initiative, and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to develop rapport with people of all ages, backgrounds, and economic resources, and to treat others in a friendly, courteous, and appreciative manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality concerning volunteers, clients, students, children, staff and agency. 
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects and tasks.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to issues related to literacy, immigrants, refugees, women, homelessness, poverty, and mental illness.
• Commitment to the CMC mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy.
• Computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite, databases, and online forms and accounts

Physical Work Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. 
• The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time, work at a computer, and engage in repetitive hand and/or wrist movements. 
• The employee occasionally lifts and/ or moves up to 40 lbs. 
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.