What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grants Officer – Development & Fundraising Team position at David Lawrence Mental Health Center?
Job Title: Grants Officer - Development & Fundraising Team
Location: Naples, Florida
Company: David Lawrence Centers For Behavioral Health
Job Type: Full-Time & Salaried/Exempt
~ Monday-Friday, Target Standard Business Hours
~ Some flexibility needed for deadlines/events
~ Potential for partial hybrid/remote work
Salary: Starting at $85,000 per year
~ Ultimate compensation dependent on experience, language skills and impact potential
Hiring Incentives: New Hire Incentive Bonus, Immediate PTO Accrual, Full Benefits W/401k, Professional Development & Tuition Programs, Wellness Programs & EAP, Licensure & Certification Assistance.
Job Summary: The Grants Officer is a vital member of the Development and Fundraising team, responsible for securing and managing grant funding from foundation, corporate, and government/federal sources in support of DLC's behavioral health mission.
This role combines disciplined grant writing and grants management with genuine relationship-building skill, and the Grants Officer is expected to cultivate and steward meaningful relationships with program officers and leaders at granting foundations, not simply submit applications.
Key Responsibilities:
Grant Writing & Proposal Development
- Research, write, and submit compelling grant proposals to foundation, corporate, and government/federal funders aligned with DLC's strategic priorities and program needs.
- Develop letters of inquiry, full proposals, budget narratives, and supporting attachments tailored to each funder's specific guidelines and priorities.
- Translate clinical and programmatic outcomes into clear, persuasive funding narratives that resonate with both foundation and government reviewers.
- Ensure all proposals reflect accurate, current organizational data, program descriptions, and outcome measures.
Federal & Government Grant Compliance
- Manage the full lifecycle of federal and state grant applications, including eligibility review, application assembly, and timely submission through required portals (e.g., Grants.gov, state systems, SAMHSA, etc.).
- Track and fulfill all post-award compliance requirements, including progress reports, financial reports, and any site visit or audit preparation.
Grants Management & Reporting
- Maintain a comprehensive grants calendar tracking application deadlines, reporting deadlines, and renewal opportunities across all active and prospective grants.
- Monitor grant performance against deliverables and outcomes, coordinating with program staff to gather data needed for interim and final reports.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date grant records within Raiser's Edge, including proposal status, award amounts, restrictions, reporting deadlines, and funder contact history.
- Prepare timely, accurate progress and outcome reports for all active grants, ensuring funder expectations are met or exceeded.
Funder Relationship Building & Cultivation
- Build and maintain genuine, ongoing relationships with program officers and leadership at foundation and corporate funders, positioning DLC as a trusted, high-performing grantee partner.
- Conduct regular outreach to current and prospective funders beyond formal proposal and reporting deadlines, including check-in calls, site visit coordination, and relationship stewardship.
- Represent DLC at funder briefings, site visits, and relevant convenings to strengthen visibility and credibility within the funder community.
- Identify opportunities to deepen funder engagement over time, including multi-year funding relationships and expanded giving.
Grant Prospect Research
- Conduct ongoing prospect research to identify new foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities aligned with DLC's mission and program priorities.
- Utilize prospect research tools and funder databases (such as Candid/Foundation Directory Online, Instrumentl, or comparable platforms) to build and maintain a qualified grant prospect pipeline.
- Analyze funder giving history, priorities, and application cycles to determine fit and timing for DLC funding requests.
- Present new funding opportunities to leadership with clear recommendations on strategic fit and likelihood of success.
Cross Departmental Collaboration
- Partner with clinical and programmatic department leaders across DLC's service lines to gather the information needed to accurately frame funding requests, including program design, target population, and anticipated outcomes.
- Work closely with the Finance department to build accurate, compliant grant budgets, ensuring alignment between proposed program costs and DLC's overall financial structure.
- Coordinate with Finance on budget modifications, allowable cost questions, and financial reporting requirements throughout the grant lifecycle.
- Serve as a liaison between programmatic staff and funders to ensure grant-funded programs are implemented and reported on as proposed.
Because DLC is a complex, multi-program behavioral health organization, this position requires close collaboration across departments. The Grants Officer will work directly with clinical and programmatic leaders to translate service delivery into compelling, fundable narratives, and with the Finance department to build accurate, compliant grant budgets. Prior experience in healthcare or behavioral healthcare settings is strongly preferred, given the clinical complexity and regulatory environment in which DLC operates.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree in nonprofit management, public administration, communications, public health or another related field.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive grant writing and grants management experience, with a demonstrated track record of securing foundation, corporate, and government/federal funding.
- Direct experience managing federal or state grants strongly preferred, including familiarity with compliance, reporting, and budget management requirements.
- Prior experience in a healthcare or behavioral healthcare setting strongly preferred, given the clinical complexity, regulatory environment, and outcome reporting standards specific to this sector.
- Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with foundation program officers or institutional funders, beyond transactional proposal submission.
- Experience working cross-departmentally with program and finance staff to develop budgets and translate clinical or programmatic work into funding narratives.
- Current/Clear FL Driver's License.
- Microsoft Office 365 skills (Including Teams/Copilot).
- Working knowledge of grant prospect research tools and methodology.
- Proficiency with Raiser's Edge of comparable donor/grants database.
- Staying compliant on all trainings and immunizations.
- Ability to pass Level II DCF Mental Health Fingerprinting (General Information can be found HERE), Drug Screen and Local Criminal Check.
Physical Requirements: This position requires a mix of physical activities throughout the workday. Duties involve periods of standing, sitting, and walking, often across various areas of the site. The role also includes tasks that may require bending, reaching, and other physical movements. Candidates must be able to occasionally lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds. A reasonable level of physical stamina and mobility is necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this role.
Preferred Abilities:
- Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex clinical and programmatic information into clear, compelling funding narratives.
- Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills; comfortable engaging directly with foundation leadership and program officers as a relationship manager, not solely a writer.
- High attention to detail and strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and funder requirements simultaneously.
- Working knowledge of nonprofit budgeting and financial principles sufficient to collaborate effectively with Finance on grant budgets.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multiple departments and program teams.
- Familiarity with behavioral health terminology, service models, and outcome measures.
Salary : $85,000