Grant and Funding Specialist

Job Summary  

The Grant and Funding Specialist at ULS reports to the Director of Community Engagement and Development (DCED), and provides research, writing, project coordination, and administrative support for ULS’s funding and development activities. This includes identifying opportunities, drafting, and coordinating funding awards that advance the mission of ULS. The Funding Specialist writes grants, coordinates funding proposals, submits applications, oversees reporting requirements, collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, and assists with communication and outreach efforts to support fundraising and organizational visibility. This position supports a diverse funding portfolio that includes grants, government contracts, appropriations, charitable giving, and other public and private funding sources.  ULS receives large and small federal and state awards as well as funding from the Legal Services

Key Accountabilities 

Research and Propose Prospective Funding Opportunities 

• Research and identify federal, state, local, corporate, foundation, and other funding opportunities that align with ULS’s mission and program needs.  

• Prepare funding opportunity summaries and recommendations for review by the Executive Director and DCED. 

• Monitor Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Applications (RFAs), Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), legislative funding opportunities, and philanthropic initiatives.  

Coordinate and Submit Funding Requests 

• Serve as the ULS expert on individual grant opportunities and awards and coordinate funding opportunities from proposal through submission. 

• Oversee and assume responsibility for grant applications, sponsorship proposals, legislative funding requests, letters of inquiry/intent, proposal summaries, and other funding-related materials.  

• Prepare complete drafts and polished project narratives, work plans, objectives, outputs, and outcomes, budgets, timelines, evaluation plans, and other deliverables to the DCED with adequate time for review; collaborate with management, staff, finance, external partner and potential partners, and other team members as needed. 

• Ensure all submissions comply with funding requirements, guidelines, and organizational standards. This includes producing quality results by following technical writing standards of clear structure, readability, consistency, and tone. 

• Obtain approvals needed to complete internal reviews and final submissions so that all deadlines are met. 

Data Collection and Performance Reporting 

• Coordinate data collection across ULS to support funding proposals and reporting. 

• Maintain systems for tracking funding opportunities, submissions, awards, reporting deadlines, and project outcomes. 

• Develop and maintain internal workflows that promote effective grant processes with strong internal controls. 

Funding Administration 

• Coordinate pre- and post-award administration for grants and other funded projects. 

• Maintain grant and funding files, proposal documentation, reporting calendars, and important funder access and contact information on ULS’s electronic tracking systems. 

• Coordinate the development of partnership documentation, including memoranda of understanding (MOUs), letters of support, and collaborative funding agreements. 

• Monitor funding agreements, deliverables, reporting deadlines, and performance measures, with internal assistance as needed. 

• Prepare or coordinate required progress reports, financial reports, and final reports for funding agencies.  

• Assist with monitoring, audits, grant modifications, renewals, and closeout activities. 

• Maintain ULS’s tracking of funder application and reporting platforms, logins and passwords, proposal templates, how-to-guides, and databases. 

• Assist in preparing reports and presentation materials for the Board of Trustees, executive leadership, and external stakeholders. 

• Attend training, conferences, and continuing education opportunities related to grant management, nonprofit fundraising, and communications. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Skills and Abilities  

• Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income community and promoting 
  access to civil legal justice.   

• Knowledge of nonprofit funding and grant writing. 

• Ability to interpret funding guidelines and grant requirements. 

• Strong analytical skills and experience collecting, organizing, and presenting quantitative and qualitative data. 

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with a strong attention to detail. 

• Ability to write in a clear, concise manner to clearly communicate purpose and reach various audiences including foundations, donors, and broader general constituencies.   

• Proficiency with Microsoft applications, databases, social media platforms, and grant management software and systems. 

• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.  

Education  

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, business, marketing, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered. 

• Minimum of two years related experience in grant writing, fundraising, communications, or a related field.  

Job Factors/Physical Requirements  

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk working on a computer.  

• In person at a ULS office, a minimum of one day per week. 

• Must have a reliable mode of transportation. Occasional travel required. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Hourly Rate: $28-$32 

FLSA Status: Non-exempt, full time (40 hours per week) 

Reports to: Director of Community Engagement and Development 

Benefits

Utah Legal Services offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees' well-being and work-life balance. Benefits include medical, dental, and employer-paid vision insurance; 21 days of paid time off each year (with an increase after your first anniversary); 13 paid holidays; a 403(b) retirement plan with automatic monthly employer contributions and matching; employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage; four weeks of paid parental leave; and a monthly employer stipend to help offset benefit costs.

Utah Legal Services believes that equal opportunity of all employees is important for the continuing success of our organization. In accordance with state and federal law, this nonprofit will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race, disability, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status in hiring, promoting, demoting, trainings, benefits, transfers, layoffs, terminations, recommendations, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation.