First Children's Finance
Grant Writer & Coordinator
First Children's Finance, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55400
Job Title : Grant Writer & Coordinator
Report to:
Chief Advancement Officer
FLSA Status:
Full-Time, Exempt
Pay:
$75,000
Location:
Remote
Department:
MissionAdvancement
Mission and Organizational Background:
The mission of First Children’s Finance (FCF) is to grow the supply and business sustainability of excellent child care. Founded in 1991, FCF provides business and financial assistance to business owners and leaders in the field of Early Care and Education (ECE). To achieve our goals, FCF works on three levels: Individual Business Level, Community Level and Systems Level. FCF is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Minneapolis that provides business development programs and financing to ECE providers in multiple states, with state offices in five: Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Vermont, and Oregon. For more information, see the First Children’s website at: http://www.firstchildrensfinance.org.
Job Summary:
FCF is seeking a Grant Writer & Coordinator to join its new and growing advancement team. Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the Grant Writer & Coordinator will be responsible for researching, preparing, developing, writing, and submitting inquiries, letters, and grant proposals requesting funds to support First Children's Finance's programs and services. This position plays a crucial role in identifying funding opportunities, maintaining relationships with funders, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements. The Grant Writer & Coordinator oversees the process and production of all materials related to the grant application process from identifying and qualifying prospects, to writing proposals and reports, to collecting data, budgets, and all relevant documents from a variety of departments to submission. This position includes at times overseeing grant-related project tasks (within the online PM tools), maintaining accurate records of documents, phone calls, and visits of funders and prospects.
This position requires a thorough understanding of the organization's programs, target populations, outcomes, and objectives at a deep level. The Grant Writer & Coordinator must stay abreast of emerging research, best practices, and innovations in the early education field to incorporate into grant proposals for multiple state offices/regions as well as national programs.
Strong research and analytical skills are essential to identifying suitable grant prospects through public and private funders and analyzing guidelines to determine fit. The writing itself necessitates creativity and storytelling ability to craft narratives that will resonate with reviewers. Grant Writer & Coordinator builds relationships with organizational leaders and program staff to gather necessary information and understand their priorities. They maintain meticulous records and systems to track submissions and deadlines.
Essential Functions
Grant research and identification:Research and Analysis: Conduct in-depth research to identify funding opportunities.Meet with CAO and related program staff to determine funding needs.Strategic Planning: Contribute to the development of grant acquisition strategies and roadmaps for the organization's growth.Proposal writing:
Develop compelling and competitive grant proposals for federal agencies, foundations, and other funding sources, with a primary focus on funding Community Development and Financial Institution (CDFI) and community-led child care investment.Write accurate and interesting inquiries, letters, and proposals, requesting funds from individual, corporate, and foundation prospects.Assemble and submit grant requests, including letters, proposals, budgets, and presentations.Grant coordination:
Coordinate all grant submissions projects; frequently working and communicating with all members of the leadership team as well as other FCF staff, as needed.Work with all departments to collect and synthesize data. Oversees up to seven grant workflow processes related to project management software to ensure adequate internal controls and that all grants reporting of data is accurate.Write acknowledgement letters and reports to corporate and foundation donors.Ensure understanding of the program and keep in contact with the organization to check the progress and provide progress reports to the CAO.Monitor results of written requests, such as proposal acceptance rate.Coordinate the efforts of key staff members to ensure that documents are completed by the specified deadlines; in addition to all feedback on drafts are received.Grant management and reporting:
Maintain tracking system for grant, renewal, and report deadlines – updating related program staff, as needed.Maintain grant/proposal calendar to ensure timely submission of letters of inquiry, proposal deadlines, and reports.Develops evaluation metrics, monitors performance, and prepares reports for internal/external agencies.Supports the Chief Advancement Officer and Marketing & Communications Director by supplying content for annual appeal letters, email appeals, the website, and annual report.Maintain productivity of proposal submissions.Relationship building:
Assist with writing public relations materials including annual reports, newsletters, press releases, and other publications, as needed.Assist with other fundraising and engagement activities, such as presentations, meetings with funders, etc.Assist in the preparation of materials for Board meetings.Perform other duties as assigned.Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree required – English; Public Relations; Advertising; Applied Communication; Community Organization; Marketing/Marketing Management, or a related discipline.A minimum of 5 years professional grant/proposal writing experience.Successful track record of grant solicitations at local, state, federal, and foundation level to achieve results.Experience working in nonprofit management related work is preferred and/or child care and early learning related work is preferred.Must understand the operations of the foundations, organizations, and businesses.Proven track record in securing new funding opportunities is a plus.Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.Experience working with Salesforce preferred.Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:
Knowledge or work experience with a CDFI is a plus.Superior writing and editing skills and a keen interest in telling stories in the service of fundraising.Ability to write for various audiences including foundations, donors, and broader general constituencies.Technical writing ability to persuade or influence others.Ability to write applications that display meticulous grammar and spelling.Good administrative skills and detailed oriented.Excellent written, verbal, and communication skills.Exceptional organizational skills.Comfortable with data management and administration.Ability to produce a quality work product within tight time constraints.Can work with a wide range of people.Can express themselves easily.Ability to prioritize projects to keep multiple projects moving in a timely manner.Ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, funding agencies, and partners.Ability to multitask and perform under multiple competing deadlines and changing schedules.Able to coordinate others and oversee projects among multiple teams.Knowledge of computer programs and ability to learn company grant software and navigate multiple search engine platforms. (i.e. Instrumentl, Candid, Grantspace, Grantwatch, etc.)Ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision.Ability to conduct and interpret research in a variety of data formats.Working
Conditions:
Must be able to work on the computer for extended periods of time.Must be able to travel for meetings when needed.Some evenings and weekends as required.
Additional Notes:
This job description represents the major functions of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive.
Benefits:
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, holidays, paid time off, and paid family medical leave. Allowable travel costs are reimbursed.
First Children’s Finance honors candidates’ time and effort in job-seeking by providing transparency regarding compensation. Creating transparency regarding salary information reduces the gender pay gap, and eliminates salary negotiation, which rarely benefits people of color or women. It is a value of our organization to support equitable hiring practices.
First Children’s Finance is an Equal Employment Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer.
Report to:
Chief Advancement Officer
FLSA Status:
Full-Time, Exempt
Pay:
$75,000
Location:
Remote
Department:
MissionAdvancement
Mission and Organizational Background:
The mission of First Children’s Finance (FCF) is to grow the supply and business sustainability of excellent child care. Founded in 1991, FCF provides business and financial assistance to business owners and leaders in the field of Early Care and Education (ECE). To achieve our goals, FCF works on three levels: Individual Business Level, Community Level and Systems Level. FCF is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Minneapolis that provides business development programs and financing to ECE providers in multiple states, with state offices in five: Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Vermont, and Oregon. For more information, see the First Children’s website at: http://www.firstchildrensfinance.org.
Job Summary:
FCF is seeking a Grant Writer & Coordinator to join its new and growing advancement team. Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the Grant Writer & Coordinator will be responsible for researching, preparing, developing, writing, and submitting inquiries, letters, and grant proposals requesting funds to support First Children's Finance's programs and services. This position plays a crucial role in identifying funding opportunities, maintaining relationships with funders, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements. The Grant Writer & Coordinator oversees the process and production of all materials related to the grant application process from identifying and qualifying prospects, to writing proposals and reports, to collecting data, budgets, and all relevant documents from a variety of departments to submission. This position includes at times overseeing grant-related project tasks (within the online PM tools), maintaining accurate records of documents, phone calls, and visits of funders and prospects.
This position requires a thorough understanding of the organization's programs, target populations, outcomes, and objectives at a deep level. The Grant Writer & Coordinator must stay abreast of emerging research, best practices, and innovations in the early education field to incorporate into grant proposals for multiple state offices/regions as well as national programs.
Strong research and analytical skills are essential to identifying suitable grant prospects through public and private funders and analyzing guidelines to determine fit. The writing itself necessitates creativity and storytelling ability to craft narratives that will resonate with reviewers. Grant Writer & Coordinator builds relationships with organizational leaders and program staff to gather necessary information and understand their priorities. They maintain meticulous records and systems to track submissions and deadlines.
Essential Functions
Grant research and identification:Research and Analysis: Conduct in-depth research to identify funding opportunities.Meet with CAO and related program staff to determine funding needs.Strategic Planning: Contribute to the development of grant acquisition strategies and roadmaps for the organization's growth.Proposal writing:
Develop compelling and competitive grant proposals for federal agencies, foundations, and other funding sources, with a primary focus on funding Community Development and Financial Institution (CDFI) and community-led child care investment.Write accurate and interesting inquiries, letters, and proposals, requesting funds from individual, corporate, and foundation prospects.Assemble and submit grant requests, including letters, proposals, budgets, and presentations.Grant coordination:
Coordinate all grant submissions projects; frequently working and communicating with all members of the leadership team as well as other FCF staff, as needed.Work with all departments to collect and synthesize data. Oversees up to seven grant workflow processes related to project management software to ensure adequate internal controls and that all grants reporting of data is accurate.Write acknowledgement letters and reports to corporate and foundation donors.Ensure understanding of the program and keep in contact with the organization to check the progress and provide progress reports to the CAO.Monitor results of written requests, such as proposal acceptance rate.Coordinate the efforts of key staff members to ensure that documents are completed by the specified deadlines; in addition to all feedback on drafts are received.Grant management and reporting:
Maintain tracking system for grant, renewal, and report deadlines – updating related program staff, as needed.Maintain grant/proposal calendar to ensure timely submission of letters of inquiry, proposal deadlines, and reports.Develops evaluation metrics, monitors performance, and prepares reports for internal/external agencies.Supports the Chief Advancement Officer and Marketing & Communications Director by supplying content for annual appeal letters, email appeals, the website, and annual report.Maintain productivity of proposal submissions.Relationship building:
Assist with writing public relations materials including annual reports, newsletters, press releases, and other publications, as needed.Assist with other fundraising and engagement activities, such as presentations, meetings with funders, etc.Assist in the preparation of materials for Board meetings.Perform other duties as assigned.Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree required – English; Public Relations; Advertising; Applied Communication; Community Organization; Marketing/Marketing Management, or a related discipline.A minimum of 5 years professional grant/proposal writing experience.Successful track record of grant solicitations at local, state, federal, and foundation level to achieve results.Experience working in nonprofit management related work is preferred and/or child care and early learning related work is preferred.Must understand the operations of the foundations, organizations, and businesses.Proven track record in securing new funding opportunities is a plus.Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.Experience working with Salesforce preferred.Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:
Knowledge or work experience with a CDFI is a plus.Superior writing and editing skills and a keen interest in telling stories in the service of fundraising.Ability to write for various audiences including foundations, donors, and broader general constituencies.Technical writing ability to persuade or influence others.Ability to write applications that display meticulous grammar and spelling.Good administrative skills and detailed oriented.Excellent written, verbal, and communication skills.Exceptional organizational skills.Comfortable with data management and administration.Ability to produce a quality work product within tight time constraints.Can work with a wide range of people.Can express themselves easily.Ability to prioritize projects to keep multiple projects moving in a timely manner.Ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, funding agencies, and partners.Ability to multitask and perform under multiple competing deadlines and changing schedules.Able to coordinate others and oversee projects among multiple teams.Knowledge of computer programs and ability to learn company grant software and navigate multiple search engine platforms. (i.e. Instrumentl, Candid, Grantspace, Grantwatch, etc.)Ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision.Ability to conduct and interpret research in a variety of data formats.Working
Conditions:
Must be able to work on the computer for extended periods of time.Must be able to travel for meetings when needed.Some evenings and weekends as required.
Additional Notes:
This job description represents the major functions of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive.
Benefits:
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, holidays, paid time off, and paid family medical leave. Allowable travel costs are reimbursed.
First Children’s Finance honors candidates’ time and effort in job-seeking by providing transparency regarding compensation. Creating transparency regarding salary information reduces the gender pay gap, and eliminates salary negotiation, which rarely benefits people of color or women. It is a value of our organization to support equitable hiring practices.
First Children’s Finance is an Equal Employment Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer.