Grants Officer (Writer), US Programs

Status: Full-Time

Location: Philadelphia, PA or Remote

Application Deadline: June 20, 2021

For consideration, please attach your Resume and Cover Letter to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.                          

OVERVIEW OF GRANT UNIT

The Grant Unit is part of the AFSC Development Department, which raises general and restricted funds for AFSC through annual giving appeals, major and planned gifts, and grant requests. The Grant Unit is currently responsible for a portfolio of approximately 100 domestic and international grants annually, amounting to approximately $9 million. The Unit’s purpose is to raise grant funds to support AFSC programs from institutional funders including foundations, corporations, and governments. The Unit collaborates with program staff, Regional Directors, and staff from other support units to facilitate the submission of grant requests and reports on grant-funded programs.

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Functioning as part of a team, the Grants Officer, US Programs is responsible for developing, facilitating and managing the institutional fundraising strategy for a portfolio of assigned AFSC domestic programs. Duties include the writing, editing, and submission of grant requests seeking support from institutional funders for assigned programs. Assigned programs may be anywhere in the US and are linked by issue or content area. The position involves regular travel across the US to visit programs, attend meetings at the AFSC Central Office, and meet with current and potential funders. The Grants Officer’s primary focus is on grants of $25,000 and more. The portfolio includes foundations, corporations, religious organizations, state and municipal agencies and other grant-making organizations. He/she is charged with building relationships with funders starting with cultivation, leading to solicitation of major grants and stewardship afterwards. He/she coordinates the involvement of other development, program or administrative staff, and volunteers in the cultivation process so that priorities are kept in view, deadlines are met, and duplication or action at cross purposed is avoided. He/she contributes to the development and grant team unit by working with team members to accomplish goals and tasks.

In collaboration with program colleagues, the Grants Officer facilitates the development of grant submissions through writing, editing and submission of grant requests. The Grants Officer works with program staff and staff from other support units to ensure that narrative and financial reports are completed and comply with the donor’s requirements. The Grants Officer researches and qualifies funding prospects and maintains up-to-date records of his/her work in AFSC’s fundraising database and document management system. The Grants Officer also provides support to programs to help them become grant-ready. The Grants Officer is a member of the Grant Process Team and is responsible for attending regular meetings and reporting to other team members on the status of grant seeking activities for assigned programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES: The key responsibilities of the Grants Officer, US Programs include the following:

1. Collaborate with program staff and regional leadership to facilitate the writing, editing and submission of grant requests seeking support from institutional funders for assigned programs.
2. Meet annual goals set by the Director of Grants for grant requests submitted, size of grant requests submitted, funds raised, and other metrics as appropriate.
3. Contribute to the accomplishment of Unit goals for grant requests submitted, size of grant requests submitted, funds raised, and other metrics as determined by the Associate General Secretary of Advancement by working with and supporting other grant unit members.
4. Cultivate contacts and ongoing relationships with institutional donors; understand their priorities, philosophies and particular interests; and interpret the work of AFSC in articulate, compelling, and creative ways.
5. Steward and cultivate institutional donors by arranging meetings with program staff and leadership, sharing information when available, and keeping supporters and potential supporters apprised of AFSC work.
6. Develop and implement annual fundraising plans, based on the portfolio of institutional funders and assigned programs.
7. Partner with staff, program leadership and the US Associate General Secretary to identify and qualify new prospects for possible grant support.
8. Assist programs to become grant ready by helping staff clarify goals, objectives, indicators, and data necessary for grant applications and reporting.
9. Coordinate contact of other AFSC staff with institutional funders.
10. Coordinate and facilitate compliance requirements of grants including reports and audits.
11. Actively participate in Grant Unit meetings and projects.
12. Track all activity in AFSC’s fundraising databases and keep records up to date.
13. Load grant-related documents into AFSC’s document management system.
14. Maintain knowledge of assigned programs through contacts with staff, attending events, reading materials and, when possible, by visits to field programs.
15. Continue to develop and enhance grant seeking skills through professional development.
16. Undertake additional assignments as directed by the Director of the Grant Unit.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS                                                                 

EDUCATION: BA or the equivalent in education and training

EXPERIENCE:

1. Four or more years’ experience and demonstrated success in raising grant funds from foundations, corporations, or governments.
2. Experience collaborating to write and edit compelling proposals in a deadline- driven environment.
3. Experience working with fundraising software, preferably Salesforce.

OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Strong written communication skills; ability to write and edit clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive proposals;
2. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to successfully interact with a variety of people on different levels, and comfort with speaking and presenting in a group setting;
3. Solid organizational skills and the ability to work productively in a fast-paced environment, and the ability to prioritize a multi-faceted workload under strict deadlines, sometimes with limited guidance;
4. Flexibility, patience, and the ability to work productively in a team environment and independently, and the willingness to meet unexpected demands with a positive attitude, willingness to pitch-in and help when needed;
5. Attentiveness to detail and accuracy in data entry, reporting, and writing;
6. Ability to act with sensitivity and discretion while working with highly confidential information;
7. Knowledge and familiarity with research techniques for fundraising prospect research;
8. Ability to work cooperatively with committees and staff, and in an organization that is characterized by a high level of consultation in which consensus is the formal process for reaching decisions;
9. Excellent computer skills with knowledge of fundraising software (preferably Salesforce) and MS Office ((Word, Outlook and Excel, in particular); and
10. Willingness and ability to travel over a wide geographical area, sometimes on an extended basis of a week or more, and to work some evenings and weekends. Availability to travel nationally (by air, train or auto) in addition to normally scheduled fundraising travel. Must possess a valid driver’s license.
11. Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
12. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.

COMPENSATION: Salary starts at $65,000, commensurate with experience – Exempt – Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, national origin, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.

The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.