Grant Writer
Organization
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, the Bureau of Indian Education, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. CCSSO seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public.
Summary
The Grant Writer is primarily responsible for the management and administration of an assigned portfolio of grants, including preparation of grant proposals, managing all aspects of grant application submissions, budgeting; continually researching funding opportunities to support successful implementation of the Council's strategic plan and managing up-to-date and accurate records for funders and the organization.
Qualified candidates should possess excellent writing and computer skills (Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint and Excel), and database management skills. The candidate must be highly organized with the ability to effectively work under pressure, use independent judgment and produce a quality work product within tight time constraints.
To ensure success, this individual must have strong written and communication skills, have proficient knowledge of fundraising methods and be committed to the mission of the Council. Preferred applicants are deadline-driven team players with outstanding multitasking abilities.
Responsibilities
- Conducts prospect research on potential corporate, foundation, and individual grantors.
- Maintains database and files regarding information about grantors, including contact information, grantor's funding priorities, reporting requirements and deadlines.
- Continually expands portfolio of prospects suitable for solicitation.
- Writes, reviews and edits grant proposals to public, private and corporate entities.
- Works with Program Staff, Finance and Leadership team to develop performance metrics and budgets for grant proposals.
- Corresponds with prospects and grantors, including following up to check on status of proposals and reporting back to them on their program investments.
- Meets with Program Staff and the Finance team to review financial reports, verify budget information for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with grant regulations.
- Report on quantitative and qualitative results that demonstrate the organization's impacts of programs and projects to grant funders.
- Maintains and implements funding calendar activities, including cultivation activities.
- Coordinates on-site visits and meetings with prospects/grantors.
- Regularly informs supervisor of project status and any deviation from established timeline or goals.
Education and Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in journalism, communications, English or related field.
- 3-5 years' experience with proposal writing and proposal coordination.
- Fully versed in proposal life cycle development process.
- Experience developing proposal outlines that are aligned with a specified Scope of Work and Evaluation Criteria described in the grant application.
- Experience conducting proposal kickoff meetings, proposal color reviews, and necessary logistics for timely proposal submission.
- Experience assessing RFP/RFQ packages for requirements to ensure compliance with all submission requirements.
- Experience preparing and managing proposal development schedule from pre/post RFP to submission.
Technical Skills
Proficient with Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and database management skills (previous Sales Force experience preferred)
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or listen. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individual with Disabilities.