Grant Writer

POSITION SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the VP of Events and Fund Development, the Grant Facilitator is responsible for ensuring that grant applications are completed according to the grant requirements. The position will keep abreast of the needs and priorities of the organization in order to research potential funding opportunities.
DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
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Participates in the vetting committee meetings and prepares executive proposal summaries, agendas, minutes, and assigned follow-up items.
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Researches and identifies new funding prospects aligned with FREE’s mission and priorities, including private foundations, corporate giving programs, government opportunities, and community-based funders.
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Develops and maintains a prospect pipeline and recommends opportunities for vetting and pursuit.
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In collaboration with the VP, supports the development and preparation of grant and contract proposals by collaborating with program leadership and the accounting department on application details.
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In collaboration with the VP, ensures sufficient time for application preparation and review prior to submission; proactively notifies the VP or other leadership team members of any delays that may impact timely submission.
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Reviews grant budgets with the accounting representative for accuracy, allowability, and compliance with funder guidelines.
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Reviews grant/contract applications for completeness, grammar, format, and adherence to the requirements of the funding.
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Supports the applications and proposals using federal electronic submission portals and other sponsor-required methods.
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Tracks all grants throughout the full grant lifecycle and shares application results and feedback with the vetting committee.
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Assists with maintaining accurate and current records in Instrumentl/DonorPerfect, including opportunity status, deadlines, contacts, proposal components, award details, reporting requirements, and stewardship actions.
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Maintains a centralized calendar of proposal deadlines, reporting deadlines, and stewardship touchpoints.
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Coordinates with program and finance staff to ensure timely submission of interim and final reports, budgets, and required deliverables.
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Oversees timely grant funder acknowledgement and stewardship, ensuring prompt communication, signatures, and award confirmations as needed.
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Supports funder stewardship by coordinating impact updates, outcome summaries, site visits, and communications with leadership, and maintaining accurate records in DonorPerfect.
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Participates with advocacy team on soliciting needs for legislative requests.
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Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed/processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
Responsibilities of All FREE Employees
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Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.
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Complies fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.
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Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk.
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Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours.
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Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance.
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Adheres to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations.
Please note the above duties, responsibilities, and essential functions are a non-exhaustive list, and may be changed by FREE at any time, with or without notice to the employee.
QUALIFICATIONS
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Education:
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Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or another related field required.
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Experience:
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Minimum of two (2) years of experience in researching funding opportunities with at least one (1) year in grant writing, applications, and platforms.
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Experience with Instrumentl and DonorPerfect preferred.
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Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications:
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Not required, training will be provided upon hire as needed
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Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities:
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Excellent writing, interpersonal, and verbal and written communication skills
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Well organized and detail oriented.
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Basic technical skills using standard office equipment and software and online grant services.
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Ability to maintain accurate records and reporting calendars and to document activity consistently in a CRM.
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Excellent time management and prioritization skills.
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Ability to navigate complex situations and escalate issues as appropriate.
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Other Requirements:
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Valid driver’s license preferred
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Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This role is performed in-person in a standard office environment. Occasional travel to offsite locations for fundraising events required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
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Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours).
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Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
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Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets.
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Employee might be required to lift/move light items.
Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE.