Grant Writer

Overview:

The Land Trust Alliance is the voice of the land trust community. As the national leader in policy, standards and education, we work passionately to support land trusts across America so they can save more land and better serve their communities.

Our natural places and working lands are a lifeline to clean air, water, food and good health. These lands also bring us together, inspire us and provide opportunities to recreate and recharge. The land trust community is a crucial component in this equation. With important places under continual threat, land trusts need access to the best tools, information and policy advocates. Armed with a diverse network and valuable resources, the Alliance is the land trust community’s source for the knowledge and capabilities they need to reach their goals. From tax and funding policies on Capitol Hill to innovative ideas, partnerships and initiatives, we ensure our land trust members can always be heard and achieve more.

The Alliance is seeking to elevate land conservation as a priority nationwide. We envision a reenergized, more relevant conservation movement in which land trusts join with partners that have not traditionally identified as conservation organizations, including from the for-profit sector, around our shared interest of protecting special places.

Summary Description

The Grant Writer is an essential member of the Development team at the Land Trust Alliance. Reporting to the Grants Manager, the Grant Writer has significant responsibilities in the areas of grant proposal and report development, writing and editing, funder stewardship and general communications, and systems/data management for foundation and government donors and prospects. The Grant Writer must be a skillful writer, editor, and communicator with the ability to work well with many Alliance staff. Equally important, the ideal candidate has strong project management, analytical and organizational skills and impeccable attention to detail.

Responsibilities:

• Manage grant reporting function, including management of calendars and deadlines, assigning tasks and coordinating with multiple program and finance staff to ensure all requirements including project budgets and spending reports are accurately completed and submitted on time.
• Work with program and development staff to develop, write, edit and submit grant reports and proposals.
• Complete federal grant proposal forms and fulfill federal reporting requirements.
• Process grant awards, including execution of contracts, recording and circulating details and deadlines associated with new and modified grant awards, and drafting acknowledgments.
• Develop compelling cases of support, cultivation and stewardship pieces, and other supportive written materials that earn and retain financial support for the Alliance.
• Identify new foundation and government funding prospects, provide research and recommend cultivation/solicitation strategies.
• Keep foundation and government database records up to date.
• Assist with the production of cultivation and stewardship mailings for foundation and government donors and produce marketing copy.
• Help maintain robust testimonials archive and other electronic subject files on Alliance programs for use in proposals and reports.
• As needed, serve as a member of the Training and Conferences team onsite at the annual Rally: the National Land Conservation Conference.
• Participate in other Development projects and activities as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum three years of experience as a grant/proposal writer.
• Strong and efficient writer/editor. Demonstrated skill in both grant/business writing and persuasive writing preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills: able to lead collaborations with program staff, able to interact professionally with funders.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to produce quality work products and deliver multiple assignments on deadline.
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgment.
• Experience with both private foundations and federal grant awards is preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite is essential
• Experience with fundraising databases is preferred.
• Ability to manage workflow, prioritize competing demands, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with limited supervision.
• Strong interest in land conservation. A willingness to understand and enthusiastically promote the Alliance’s conservation mission and programs is essential.
• Flexibility and ability to work occasional nights or weekends to meet deadlines and ability to handle multiple tasks and tight timelines with skill, calmness, and a good sense of humor.

Compensation

The Land Trust Alliance offers competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience.

Contact

Send resume and cover letter, via email to careers@lta.org. If email is not an option, applications will be accepted by mail to Human Resources, Land Trust Alliance, 1250 H St, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005.

The Land Trust Alliance’s mission is to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Land Trust Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or marital status.