Grant Writer and Administration

GRANT WRITER AND ADMINISTRATION

The mission of Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter is to provide a safe haven, high quality care, and hope for the future to children impacted by trauma.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Established in 1993, NWACS is a private, non-profit organization. Our 32-bed, state-of-the-art residential Shelter provides 24-hour emergency care for children throughout Arkansas who are victims of abandonment, abuse or neglect. Building on three decades of experience working with children and trauma, in 2020 our work expanded with the opening of Hope Academy, the first trauma-centered open enrollment charter school in the state of Arkansas. Our work centers around positive trauma-informed practices and takes a comprehensive, whole child approach to care and education; creating a stable, safe and loving environment in which the hundreds of children who walk through our doors each year can begin to heal.

OUR VALUES: 

Head: We foster a culture of strategy and innovation.

Heart: We serve our children, families and staff with compassion and dedication.

Hands: We work collaboratively and respectfully, striving for excellence in all we do.

Hope: We provide the foundation for a better tomorrow.

THE POSITION: 

As a Grant Writer, you will be a vital member of our fundraising team, responsible for researching, writing, and managing grant proposals to secure funding from various sources, including government agencies, foundations, and corporations. Your primary focus will be to identify grant opportunities that align with our organization's mission and programs and to craft compelling proposals that effectively communicate our impact and funding needs. You will collaborate closely with program managers, finance staff, and other stakeholders to gather necessary information and data to support grant applications, ensuring that all proposals are submitted in a timely manner and meet the requirements of funders. Additionally, you will cultivate relationships with grant-making organizations, track grant deadlines and reporting requirements, and maintain accurate records of grant activity.

Key Responsibilities:  (To include but not limited to the following)

Grants Identification, Writing and Management:

• Research and identify grant opportunities from government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other funding sources that align with the organization's mission and programs. 
• Write compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and grant applications that effectively communicate the organization's mission, goals, programs, and impact to potential funders. 
• Collaborate with program staff, finance team, and other stakeholders to gather relevant information, data, and insights needed to support grant applications. 
• Customize grant proposals and applications to meet the specific requirements and priorities of each funding opportunity, ensuring alignment with funder guidelines and objectives. 
• Develop detailed budgets, project plans, and timelines for grant-funded programs and initiatives, incorporating input from relevant team members and stakeholders. 
• Manage the grant application process from start to finish, including proposal submission, follow-up communications with funders, and grant agreement negotiation. 
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of grant applications, deadlines, outcomes, and reporting requirements. 
• Collaborate with program managers and evaluation staff to monitor grant-funded activities, track progress toward goals and objectives, and collect data for grant reporting. 
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate grant reports, impact assessments, and other required documentation to funders, ensuring compliance with reporting deadlines and guidelines. 
• Stay informed about grant funding trends, grant-making priorities, and best practices in grant writing and fundraising to inform strategy development and enhance grant-seeking efforts.

Development Administration:

• Process and enter all donations into the donor platform, ensuring proper categorization for accurate record-keeping and reporting purposes.
• Draft and send personalized donation acknowledgments, ensuring accurate donor recognition of contributions to foster long-term donor relationships.
• Oversee the reception and organization of in-kind donations, ensuring accurate documentation for tax purposes and donor recognition.
• Work with the Communications team to ensure that external collateral is current and available for distribution to donors, visitors, and community partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

• Experience: Proven experience in grant writing, preferably in the nonprofit sector, with a successful track record of securing funding.
• Writing & Research Skills: Strong writing, editing, and analytical skills, with the ability to craft persuasive proposals.
• Attention to Detail: Ability to adhere to strict deadlines and ensure all application requirements are met.
• Organizational & Time Management: Ability to manage multiple grant applications simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates degree or Grant Writer Certification
• 2 years of Grant Writing experience

Working Conditions and Environment/Physical Demands

The demands described are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Tasks may involve walking, standing, climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching, and lifting for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must pass all criminal history and child maltreatment background checks.
• Must submit to pre-employment a drug screen as well as random drug screens when directed.
• Valid driver's license, proof of personal automobile insurance, and acceptable driving record required to drive shelter vehicles for shelter business.
• Must maintain confidentiality and privacy regarding all Children’s Shelter residents' information in accordance with NWACS policy and all applicable Federal and state laws/regulations.
• Attend and participate in mandatory training, staff meetings, and all other events, as required.
• Set, maintain and communicate appropriate personal and professional boundaries.
• Complete all required documentation in a timely manner per NWACS procedures.

Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. NWACS offers excellent benefits and a competitive salary based on experience. For consideration, qualified candidates must submit a cover letter and detailed resume.