MISSION STATEMENT:
To be a beacon of light by transforming lives in the Vincentian spirit of charity, justice, and mercy through interpersonal connectivity.
Summary:
The Grant Writer (GW) has a passion for the Mission and Values of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul CARES dba St. Vincent de Paul CARES, as well as the goal of ending homelessness and caring for the people who are poor. The Grant Writer reports to the Grants Director and is responsible for researching, drafting, and submitting proposals that help secure funding from government entities, foundations, and corporations. This position plays a critical role in helping the organization achieve its mission and strategic fundraising goals. The Grant will be tasked with identifying grant opportunities aligned with the organization’s programs and priorities, writing compelling proposals, and maintaining a grants calendar and a grants management system to monitor the application process and track various deadlines. The Grant Writer must be able to maintain relationships with internal stakeholders and current and prospective funders through timely communication and updates.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at this time.)
- Display a passion for the organization’s values and mission.
- Research and identify new and renewal grant opportunities.
- Write compelling, clear, and well-structured grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and supporting documentation.
- Ensure proposals clearly align with funder priorities and program goals.
- Submit, steward, and manage publicly and privately funded grants.
- Produce superior multimillion-dollar grant proposals and renewals.
- Work with the finance department and others in developing complex budgets.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to gather necessary information for grant proposals and reports.
- Assist the development department in meeting its fundraising goals to increase private funding and sponsorships.
- Furnish prospective funders with supporting documents.
- Maintain a grants calendar to track deadlines, submissions, and reporting requirements.
- Prepare and submit timely grant reports, renewals, and other documentation as required by funders.
- Track and manage the grant process, awards, and denials in a centralized database.
- Utilize the grants management system.
- Maintain relationships with internal stakeholders and current and prospective funders through timely communication and updates.
- Understand grants in the context of the business operations of the organization.
- Assist in telling the organization’s story and outcomes.
- Maintain proficient knowledge of the organization’s history and programs.
- Stay up-to-date on best practices and trends to ensure the agency’s success.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Complies with all applicable training requirements.
- Complies with all company safety, personnel, and operational policies and procedures.
- Complies with work schedule to ensure effective operations of Agency programs.
- Contributes positively as a member of a productive and cooperative team.
- Performs other duties as necessary to fulfill the St. Vincent de Paul CARES’ mission.
Employee Benefits:
- Health Insurance.
- Life insurance.
- Dental Insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Short- and Long-Term Disability.
- 120 hours of PTO accrued biweekly starting at day 1 of employment.
- 13 Paid Holidays to include Employee’s birthday and Date of Hire.
- 403(b) with employer match up to 3%.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
(To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)
- Able to speak, write, and understand English.
- Possesses basic computer skills.
- Must be sensitive to and respect cultural diversity among clients, staff, and volunteers, and be able to work with diverse racial, ethnic, and economic groups.
- Flexible work schedule including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Ability to set appropriate limits, work under deadlines, and multitask.
- Ability to organize, prioritize, self-motivate, and deliver results.
- Excellent communication and listening skills.
- Possesses a strong work ethic.
- Successfully pass the Law Enforcement background screening.
- Valid Florida driver’s license if driving an agency vehicle or a personal vehicle for company business.
- Must have reliable transportation.
- Participates in the Agency Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program and Accreditation/Reaccreditation process.
- Mission-driven attitude supplemented with integrity and passion.
- Adherence to the highest ethical standards, personally and professionally.
- A high level of openness and willingness to receive feedback/suggestions from superiors and others, and to learn new skills to improve job performance.
- Evidence of deep alignment with the mission and values of St. Vincent de Paul CARES.
- Strong written communication skills: ability to write clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive proposals.
- Strong editing skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Knowledge of government information sources.
- Experience with proposal writing and institutional donors.
- Knowledge and familiarity with research techniques for government donors' prospect research.
- Strong contributor in team environments.
ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
(To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)
- Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word & Access).
- Excellent spelling, grammar, and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal relationship skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, complex environment.
- Proficient with fax machine, copier, and scanner.
- Maintain a professional appearance at all times.
- Maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
- Excellent telephone and oral communication skills.
- Ability to think independently and use good judgment.
- Ability to multitask and think quickly.
- Must have an “all hands on deck” attitude.
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and highly organized.
- Ability to take direction and receive constructive criticism.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
(Depending on the position and if prior to hire is approved by the Chief Executive Officer, a comparable amount of training, education, or experience may be substituted for the minimum education qualifications)
- 2+ years of professional grant writing or fundraising experience (nonprofit experience a plus).
- Proven success in securing grants from foundations, corporations, and/or government entities.
- High level of computer literacy.
- Willingness to learn specifics of writing Federal, State, City, and private foundation grants in a complex environment.
- Experience in non-profit direct services and/or program coordination is highly desirable.
GENERAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made, if appropriate, to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the job.
Working in an office/site requires prolonged sitting at the computer workstation; standing, bending, reaching, lifting up to 40lbs, and some driving. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, telephones, and other office equipment. It is also required to regularly sit, speak, and listen, the employee is also required to walk, use hands and fingers to type, operate equipment, and maintain records and notes. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
MENTAL DEMANDS:
Must handle new and diverse work problems on a daily basis. Personal maturity is an important attribute. Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure. Must have the ability to listen objectively to people, perceive the real problem, and assist in bringing issues to a successful conclusion. Must relate and interact with volunteers, clients, contractors, visitors, and employees at all levels within the Agency.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The Environment will occasionally become noisy due to equipment operations and interactions among clients and staff. There may be the possibility of being exposed to communicable disease, possible exposure to verbal abuse, or similar behavior from residents/clients. On an as-needed basis, employees may be called upon to work outside of the established work schedule or work odd hours. All information associated with the Agency is confidential.
St. Vincent de Paul CARES is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
About St. Vincent de Paul CARES: SVdP CARES is a non-profit organization committed to ending homelessness: making it rare, brief, and one-time. With “Housing First” principles at the core, all SVdP CARES programs are built on the belief that everyone has the right to live in dignified and affordable housing with a healthy disregard for all community-perceived barriers to housing including employment history, criminal/credit background, mental health, addiction, or religious practices. SVdP CARES works to rapidly house those experiencing homelessness within 30 days and concurrently connect them to resources and stabilization support services to assist their needs. SVdP CARES serves 19 counties across 7,678+ square miles of Florida including Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Desoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, and Sumter counties. Everyone is welcome through our doors, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
