Objective:
Reporting to the Director of Development, the Grant writer is responsible for preparing and
producing grant proposals and solicitations for funding. The Grant writer researches and
recommends funding opportunities; develops solicitations and proposals for general operating
needs, Discovery programs/exhibits and capital projects; prepares progress and final reports to
donors; and maintains grant information in the departmental database. Audiences include
institutional and family foundations, corporations, nonprofit partners, higher education
institutions and government sources.
Job functions:
- Prepare grant proposals for foundations (institutional and family), corporations and government entities that make a compelling case for financial support and address identified organizational funding priorities.
- In collaboration with the Director of Development, research, identify and gather information on fundable projects.
- Maintain an organization-wide grants deadline calendar using available database tools.
- Prepare interim and final project reports to funding sources on a regular and scheduled basis working with education, finance and other departments to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
- Research and recommend funding opportunities from a broad range of sources, linking their compatibility with organizational needs.
- Conduct research to locate data that supports case statements for grant proposals and reports. This may include data collection and surveys of literature from a variety of sources (e.g., Discovery staff, Altru admissions database, government officials and reports, program experts, directories, guest testimonials, etc.).
- Schedule trustee site visits and include key staff, including the President/CEO, Director of Development and Chief Operating Officer in meetings, as appropriate.
- Make recommendations on strategies, policies and procedures related to proposals and Development fundraising goals.
- Maintain accurate database records and donor files.
- Communicate regularly with appropriate teams and departments on the status of pending proposals.
- Represent The Discovery at internal and external meetings.
- Keep Charity Navigator and other nonprofit donor evaluation tools updated.
- Assume other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Development.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree required – Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Finance, Business, Political Science or Liberal Arts or related.
- At least three years professional grant writing, nonprofit experience, preferably with an education-focused organization.
- Successful, quantifiable track record of funded grant proposals at local, state, federal level.
- Able to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with other staff members, museum members, donors, vendors and suppliers.
- IT literate: Above average competency with word processors, CRM databases, spreadsheets, project management software and web applications, e.g. Microsoft Office, Outlook, Altru, Candid or other donor/research databases.
Necessary skills:
- Enthusiasm and passion for The Discovery’s mission to inspire by being the place to nexperience science.
- Demonstrated writing ability for a public audience and for formal proposals/reports.
- Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal, written/verbal communications and customer service skills to work effectively with people of diverse talents and backgrounds.
- Demonstrated excellence in problem solving and analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Demonstrated excellence in organizational and project management skills; prioritizing multiple projects in order to meet individual and departmental deadlines.
- Ability to remain current with standard policies and procedures.
- Working knowledge of office practices, procedures and business writing.
- Ability to plan work efficiently to meet the departmental budgets, goals and objectives.
- Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
Characteristics:
- Self-starter, must be able to perform with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work within a team and use internal and external resources to perform at a high level.
- Ability to creatively problem solve and make recommendations to Director of Development and other staff as appropriate.
- Excellent verbal and written communications, professional appearance/demeanor.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt to change.
- Must have strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work extended hours, evening and weekends, in and out of The Discovery as needed.
- Possible light lifting.
- Valid driver’s license.
Environment:
General office environment. Work is sedentary in nature but may require standing or walking
for up to 10% of the time. Work is generally performed within an office environment, with
standard office equipment available. Occasional manual labor required for special events.