Grant Writer

Summary Help discover, secure, and track institutional funding opportunities that will ensure DWC’s financial sustainability and future success! DWC’s Grant Writer will manage a portfolio of foundation, corporate, and/or government funders. Reporting to the Manager - Grants, you will be responsible for identifying new funding prospects and opportunities, drafting and reviewing proposals and reports, and coordinating with programs and finance teams to identify organizational needs. Please submit a resume and cover letter through DWC’s application portal. Candidates invited to interview will be required to submit a writing sample. This role will require a combination of remote and on-site work at DWC’s Downtown LA office. Essential Functions Identify and solicit corporate, foundation, and government grant opportunities matched to DWC programs and activities and determine which opportunities strategically align with DWC’s organizational priorities and capacity. Contribute to the fundraising goal for Grants revenue. Work across departments to develop and submit grant proposals and reports, including identifying measurable goals and objectives for program development; compiling program outlines, materials, and data to write a compelling narrative; developing grant budgets and financial reports in partnership with program directors and the finance team; and working with Finance, Operations, and Program staff to ensure compliance with all public and private grant requirements. Effectively manage grant deliverables aligned with an assigned portfolio, including crafting proposals, reports, and other grant deliverables that reflect DWC’s values and mission. Leverage project management tools to steward deliverables and grant opportunities and effectively coordinate between all constituents from prospecting through closeout. Develop engagement strategies and donor cultivation plans to grow DWC’s revenue from a portfolio of corporate, foundation, and/or government donors. Meet with donors regularly, virtually and in person. Possess a strong understanding of the measures and metrics used to evaluate DWC programs and identify measurable goals and objectives for use in proposals. Work with Program Directors and Measurement and Evaluation staff to monitor grant outcomes and prepare accurate and timely reports. Weekly, maintain and update proposal and award information in systems and databases, creating and maintaining files, and coordinating/tracking proposal submission, award set-up, compliance, tracking, and reporting. Ensure that all deadlines are met and work is prioritized effectively. Work across Development team to engage new and existing foundation and institutional partners and enhance relationships through grants, event sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, and in-kind donations. Assist with additional activities in support of our annual Fund Development Plan, including annual and planned giving, capital campaigns, fundraising events, tours and presentations, and reporting. Other duties as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Competencies Time Management Project Management Writing & Editing Coordination & Facilitation Multitasking & Problem Solving Detail Oriented & Highly Organized Relationship Building Frontline Fundraising Understanding of Proposal and Budget Development Process Systems & Data Management Supervisory Responsibility This position does not have supervisory responsibilities. Work Environment This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. This position would also require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. Position Type and Expected Hours of Work This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm with the ability to work evenings and weekends when necessary. Travel No travel is expected for this position. Ability to Work Remotely Hybrid – This role is expected to work on-site at minimum 1 day per week, or more as needed and requested by Supervisor. Required Education, Experience, and Qualifications Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required. 1-3 years of previous grant writing, development, and/or fundraising experience for a nonprofit organization required. Knowledge of foundation and corporate funding landscape for homeless/social service agencies in Los Angeles and beyond. Ability to meet deadlines and follow rigorous, systematic, and disciplined approach to grant research, coordination, tracking, and reporting. Exceptional skill in comprehension, analysis, and technical writing, including the ability to articulate and explain complex funding and financial issues in a clear, non-technical manner. Fundamental understanding of the grants process, including prospect research, cultivation, proposal and budget development, and reporting. Demonstrated success as a team player, including the ability to develop and maintain a goal-oriented, positive attitude throughout the organization. Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ability to comfortably interface with Board Members, Leadership, donors, and general DWC community. Self-starter capable of working independently. Compassion and understanding of DWC’s unique approach to service provision. Cultural humility. Must be a CA resident and live no more than 80 miles from DWC; must be available for in-person meetings at DWC. Must provide documentation of a negative TB test result within the last twelve months, on first day of hire. Pay Range $31-36/hourly Work Authorization Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. DWC does not sponsor employment visas, such as H-1B. Fair Chance Act Statement Downtown Women’s Center will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Downtown Women’s Center is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Right’s Department Fair Chance Act webpage. Downtown Women’s Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants and actively seeks candidates who reflect the rich diversity of the communities that we serve. We are committed to a work environment that embraces and promotes individuality and inclusion. We believe that diversity and inclusion of varied perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences are essential to our organization’s effectiveness, and allow us to serve our clients in the respectful, responsive, and understanding way that they deserve. We define diversity in broad terms to include race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental or physical disability, marital status, pregnancy, military and veteran status, medical condition, geography, socio-economic status, and other unique attributes that make us who we are. Downtown Women’s Center complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.