Friends of the Children

Friends of the Children is a nonprofit that is breaking the cycle of generational poverty. We work with children facing the most obstacles, supporting them as they build empowerment and skills to achieve their dreams. We do this by pairing them with a paid, professional mentor, who we call a “Friend,” from kindergarten through high school graduation, 12 ½ years – no matter what. 

We are currently seeking a skilled professional Contract Grant Writer to work with our National Grants Team. The ideal candidate will be effective at amplifying the stories of the children we serve, communicating the urgency of our mission, and celebrating the success of our outcomes.  This role will enthusiastically support the National team’s efforts to secure funding, ranging from small to large grants, through foundation, corporate, and public grants. Through our Chapter Grants program, our team works closely with executive leaders across the country to strategically pursue grant funding in support of locally-led chapters and direct service to youth. In partnership with our staff team, this contract position will play an important role in securing sustainable funding for our network. 

This position will play a central role in the efficiency and effectiveness of Friends of the Children – National’s contracted grant writing and management services. Provided by a team of exceptionally talented grants professionals, Friends – National’s grants team has become an invaluable resource to the Friends of the Children network. Through close partnership with sites across the US – from Tacoma to Tampa Bay – our goal is to support local teams to build and maintain robust revenue-generating grant programs that are centered on best practices and responsive to each individual site’s needs. The Contract Grants Writer will provide foundational support to ensure smooth day-to-day operations of this rapidly growing service to our network.

The ideal candidate will have at least three years of job-related experience in progressively responsible roles.  Strong written and oral communication skills, relationship management skills, and a love of writing are a must. They will be passionate about understanding, supporting, and promoting the organization’s mission and vision for growth. They will be equally skilled at strategically identifying and aligning the organization’s work with local, regional, and national grant opportunities. They will enjoy managing detailed information regarding project timelines, budgets, attachments, grant reporting, and funding prospects, and they must have excellent project management skills.

Are you this amazing person?  Here’s what we have to offer you:

Our work is powered by our vision: to make sure that every child who needs a Friends, has one. As a contingent member of the Friends of the Children National team, the Contract Grant Writer will support our growing Friends of the Children network, which consists of forty-two locations.  Our talented team is relentlessly focused on supporting our award-winning national scaling plan and dedicated to our mission to serve children across the country.

Friends of the Children is committed to the communities we serve and to equal employment opportunity.  We are fiercely committed to ensuring that every aspect of the organization’s mission is executed with full engagement of the communities impacted by our work. 

Our contract work offers a flexible schedule and workload; contract hours vary, depending on contractor availability, assignment, and organization need. Our ideal candidate will embrace this flexibility and will be responsive and available for assignments as they become available. This role will allow you to work remotely from your home, anywhere within the contiguous United States. You will be supported by a staff team (who can meet regularly with you to support assignments), as well as an abundance of grants resources, data, and content. 

Curious to learn more? See details below.

Objective / Contract Expectations:

The Contract Grant Writer is asked to apply a high level of technical and creative writing skill to proposals, reports, and other deliverables to foundations, corporations, and public funding partners for the purpose of soliciting and stewarding funds. The Contract Grant Writer will develop written grants content and budgets for Friends of the Children chapters. Projects may support both existing and prospective Friends of the Children chapters and sites. We seek a Contract Grant Writer who is interested in building a long-term relationship with our organization, gradually acquiring knowledge and understanding of our mission and our program. The Contract Grant Writer collaborates with a dynamic Grants Team while independently navigating project timelines and assignments using the resources provided. The person in this role must feel a strong connection to and promote the organization’s mission, vision, values and principles, and uphold the professionalism of the organization at all times. The Senior National Grants Specialist manages grant-writing contracts, liaises with contractors, and provides grant writing resources and support.

Contract Assignments and Deliverables:

• Meet with National Senior Grants Specialist and other team members as needed to discuss, plan, and strategize on project assignments.
• Collaborate with National team members and other stakeholders to develop narrative content and budgets for proposals falling within assigned program focus areas.
• Write grant proposals, fundraising-related writing projects, and reports on a timely basis as assigned. Ensure that grant proposals are compelling and strategic and align with the funder’s interests and the funding opportunity.
• Develop grant content and budgets; prepare grant packets for submission.
• Respond to feedback, reviews of grants content, and requests for edits.
• Maintain clear and accurate written and electronic records of grant proposals, reports, and submission confirmations, including grant activity tracking in shared drives and databases. 
• Effectively communicate and collaborate with National team members in tracking deliverables, due dates, and project information that supports the timely completion of projects. Keep relevant staff informed about upcoming deadlines and deliverables, thereby ensuring smooth coordination of responsibilities.
• Communicate in a timely manner when encountering issues and delays.
• Track billable time in our web-based time tracking application. Using shared time tracking data, prepare and submit itemized invoice for billable time.
• As assigned, assist in research and identification of grant prospects and opportunities appropriate to Friends of the Children.
• Maintain confidential information in a sensitive and appropriate manner.
• Special projects as agreed upon.

The ideal candidates will have the following Education, Experience, and Abilitie

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• A minimum of three years of non-profit grant-writing experience, preferably including collaboration with program and finance team members to develop content and budgets.
• Demonstrated success in securing grant awards and funding from foundations, corporations, and/or public funding sources.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills resulting in compelling messaging, as well as strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.  Able to plan, organize, and complete multiple grant proposals and/or reports and follow-up as required. Proven track record of meeting deadlines.
• Ability to cultivate and sustain relationships with National staff, work effectively as an extension of the National Grants staff team, be responsive to feedback and suggestions, and share our commitment to chapter success.
• Exceptional analytical abilities and attention to detail, strong computer skills (with a preference for candidates who have experience with remote work, shared files, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams), and general understanding of financial principles.
• Demonstrated balance of resourcefulness and collaborative initiative and the proven ability to work independently, effectively solve problems, communicate regularly around project status and/or issues, and complete deliverables.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize information for writing grant proposals, letters, articles, etc.
• Exceptional ability to learn from feedback, edit written materials accurately and consistently, including own work.
• Ability to independently manage time and plan for deadlines.
• Ability to represent, effectively and professionally, the organization to a wide variety of audiences.
• Willing to be flexible, with the ability to work evenings and weekends on occasion. Ability to effectively communicate availability and meet commitments. Openness to variability in assignments including timing, frequency, length/duration, and complexity.
• Ability to work from home, build relationships, take direction from, and communicate effectively with various team members virtually.

Compensation:

• Contract Rate: $50-$70 hourly - depending on experience and location. Hours vary by assignment, as needed.

This position may offer the opportunity for contract-to-hire for a permanent full-time, salaried position with benefits, if mutually agreed upon and depending on satisfactory delivery of contract work. The annual salary range for full-time employee grant writers is $75,000 - $85,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

Location

• Remote/Virtual - This contract role can be performed within the contiguous United States.

Applications without cover letters will not be considered; please use this as an opportunity to convey why you want to be the Grant Writer at Friends of the Children!

Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely based on their qualifications for the job to be filled.

Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how “One” changes a child's story: One Friend. One Child. 12+ years. No matter what. #ThePowerOfOne.

To learn more about Friends of the Children go to:   https://friendsofthechildren.org/about