What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grant Writer position at Neighborhood Service Organization?
Summary:
The Grant Writer’s role encompasses overseeing the entire grant management process, which spans the full lifecycle and involves collaboration across different functions. This role takes full accountability for ensuring that NSO’s current grants meet specified timelines, objectives, and outcomes. This encompasses tasks such as constructing grant frameworks, conducting prospect research, collecting necessary documentation, composing proposals, ensuring completion, and generating grant reports, hosting team meetings to ensure grant deliverables are met all aimed at securing and/or maintaining funding for NSO. The individual will work closely with team members throughout the organization to stay well-informed about NSO's existing programs and upcoming initiatives. The Grant Writer is responsible for proactively executing a strategy to ensure that renewals and new grant applications are submitted in a timely manner. To thrive in this role, the perfect candidate must be highly organized with great attention to detail and shall possess a profound comprehension of Detroit's philanthropic environment and demonstrate exceptional skills in cultivating relationships, project management, and strategic thinking.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct research to identify potential grant opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and other sources.
- Stay informed about grant guidelines, deadlines, and eligibility criteria.
- Gather and organize data for evidence of need and current social and political environments.
- Collaborate with team members to gather pertinent program information and goals for outcomes and outputs for submissions, and disseminate details for awarded grants, including measurement plans.
- Compose and edit grant proposals, letters of intent, concept papers, and grant reports with strict adherence to deadlines.
- Maintain grants calendar, due dates, and reporting requirements.
- Maintain a comprehensive database of current grants, potential funders and grant opportunities in collaboration with Corporate Development.
- Write persuasive and well-structured grant proposals that effectively communicate the organization's objectives and impact.
- Customize proposals to meet the specific requirements and guidelines of each funding opportunity.
- Manage the end-to-end grant application process, including preparing, reviewing and submitting grant applications.
- Ensure that all applications are submitted accurately and on time.
- Work in a deadline-driven environment to meet tight submission deadlines for multiple grant applications simultaneously.
- Prioritize tasks effectively to ensure that all deadlines are met.
- Track and report on the status of grant applications and awards.
- Ensure that the organization complies with all grant-related reporting requirements.
- Foster positive relationships with potential funders and grant-making organizations.
- Communicate with funders as needed to clarify application requirements or address questions.
Candidate Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree required;
- 3 years of grant writing experience, preferably in healthcare and/or housing;
- 2 years managing the grant management process from beginning to end;
- Experience which should demonstrate a proven track record of securing new funding opportunities;
- Comprehensive knowledge of research;
- Ability to work effectively under pressure;
- Excellent writing and verbal skills
- Be highly organized with the ability to implement systems and follow-up processes;
- Proficiency in research, interpreting, and analyzing diverse data;
- Previous successfully federal grant application, submission, approval and management of funds;
- Excellent Computer skills (Microsoft Office Word, Access, PowerPoint and Excel), and database management skills;
- Experience/Knowledge of submitting grants in Oracle, EGRAMS, ESnaps, ELOCCs, etc. Motivated self-starter with the ability to work collaboratively as well as independently with purpose and accuracy in a fast-paced environment; and
- Maintains the utmost professionalism with internal and external stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree;
- 5 years of experience as a successful grant writer;
- Previous grant budget development and management;
- A proven record of securing major grants with certifiable references; and
Neighborhood Service Organization is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those with diverse backgrounds and those with disabilities.
