Grant Writer

Reports to: Executive DirectorStatus: 25 hours /week, exemptMission StatementThe Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy strengthens and builds adult English language learning programs and instruction to further individual and family success at work, school and in the community.About MCAELMCAEL is a leading nonprofit in Montgomery County, with fewer than 10 employees. MCAEL traces its beginnings to 2002 when the Montgomery County Council, adult English literacy service providers and community stakeholders worked together to address the growing demand for programs and services. MCAEL incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization in 2006 and received its 501(c)(3) tax status in 2008. The organization continues to grow and enjoys an excellent reputation in the county and with our partners.MCAEL strengthens the community by advancing a coalition of organizations dedicated to enabling all Montgomery County residents to achieve their full potential by improving their English language skills. MCAEL is the hub of the coalition, bringing English language service providers together to learn and share, driving a system of continuous improvement for the coalition – approximately 60 programs, which have 1000+ instructors/program staff, serving about 16,000 adult learners each year:• Training and professional development (at no cost) to any instructors and program administrators in Montgomery County• Centralized data collection and analysis• Advocacy on behalf of the coalition• The directory of all adult English classes in the county• Public engagement around the issue of adult English literacyPosition OverviewThe Grant Writer researches, plans, writes, and manages proposals and reports to foundations and corporations. With the Executive Director, they share responsibility for raising grant funding for MCAEL. The Grant Writer works with others, including program and finance colleagues, to ensure that staff have reviewed and contributed to proposals in a timely manner. The Grant Writer also contributes to other development and communications efforts.The Grant Writer reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Director of Programs and Manager of Administration and Grants who will be responsible for assigning and prioritizing work and meeting regularly to track ongoing work and planned work.Essential Duties and Responsibilities• Assume lead responsibility or supporting responsibility, as assigned, for the full range of activities required to prepare, manage, submit, and record complex proposals/applications to foundation and corporate funders, including writing and editing and managing the contributions of others.• Assume lead responsibility or supporting responsibility, as assigned, for grant reports.• Research, evaluate, and recommend new foundation, government and corporate grant opportunities.• Coordinate meetings and site visits with current and prospective grantors. Prepare organizational leaders for these meetings and site visits.• Contribute to development and communications collateral such as annual reports, newsletters, website copy, event announcements, fundraising appeals.• Participate actively in team and all staff meetings.• Stay abreast of trends in development and in content areas related to MCAEL’s work.QUALIFICATIONSSkills and Abilities• Strong communications skills with superior storytelling and persuasive writing and editing skills• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills• Strong self-organization skills, project management skills and attention to details and deadlines• Computer and database literacy, including with Word, Excel, and other Microsoft Office programs, as well as Teams and Zoom• Passion for MCAEL’s mission• Ability to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality with sensitive information, including proprietary organizational information• Ability to show success in terms of dollars raised and grants submittedEducation and Work Experience• BA/BS degree or equivalent experience preferred• At least three years of successful experience in grant writing or in comparable work