Grant Writer/Planner

Roanoke, VA

• Department: Planning
• Posting Date: 03/13/2025
• Closing Date: 03/28/2025
• Salary: $26.45-$27.42/hr
• Code: GWP-PL

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt/Administrative

Every TAP employee shares in TAP’s responsibility to mobilize community resources in support of TAP’s anti-poverty efforts.

DEFINITION AND PURPOSE:

TAP is a Community Action Agency, serving an 11-municipality portion of the Roanoke-Alleghany region with over 25 different programs—each of which is designed to reduce the impacts of poverty by providing opportunities for working families to improve their financial stability, and pursue a more prosperous, productive future.

Planners drive the agency’s mission forward through the following activities: research pertinent data, write clear, effective proposals and prepare grant applications to public and private funding sources to sustain and expand programs at TAP.

They act as project managers for the grant process, and prepare proposals including narrative, budget, required agreements with partners, work plan / targeted outcomes, attachments, and any other materials required to create a competitive application. This process can include substantial long-term research and project design to address emerging trends and new opportunities, core funding re-application for existing programs, and/or short-notice preparation of materials when appropriate opportunities or partnerships present.

Planners also assist in the development and production of the agency’s communications and marketing materials, including, but not limited to, the annual report, social media posts, blog posts, op-eds to local papers, presentation materials, and other items as necessary.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:

Supervised by: Vice President of Planning & Resource Development

Supervises: No one

Coordinates with: Planning staff, component directors, and other TAP staff

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Researches, identifies, qualifies, and contacts potential funding and resource sources, (i.e. federal, state and local governments, foundations, corporations, etc.) and develops appropriate applications, proposals, and economic development initiatives;
• Acts as project manager for grant application process, coordinating program development process with component directors and program personnel; prepares and submits program proposals in a professional and timely manner;
• Maintains thorough knowledge of current and best practices, developing initiatives, and effective grasp of the principles affecting the component programs;
• Reviews and summarizes resource information for TAP program components and staff;
• Presents timely and accurate information to director and program managers;
• Develops and maintains listings of local, state, and national public and private resources that support component programs and projects;
• Monitor and evaluates new resources, requirements, and trends for potential impact;
• Develops and sustains effective collaborations to fulfill program and development purposes and proposal requirements;
• Analyzes and collates participant and program data related to program activities, assisting with outcome measurement and the client tracking systems in place and under development.
• Disseminates research findings to appropriate personnel;
• Attends and participates in meetings of advisory groups, committees, boards, staff, etc., in related component focus areas;
• Develops and plans initiatives to raise community awareness and advance agency profile;
• Develops, expands, and maintains key partnerships among potential funders, current funders and area collaborators/service providers;
• Tracks relevant legislation, especially resource opportunities, pertaining to initiatives;
• Tells the story of TAP and the communities and people it serves through well-written, evocative applications and publications (including conducting interviews, writing content, and helping create agency materials, including annual report);
• Produces and edits written content for social media posts, blog posts, white papers, website pages, op-eds, and other material as requested;
• Shares in the responsibility to mobilize community resources in support of TAP’s anti-poverty efforts; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent writing and effective research skills (samples are to be provided);
• Ability to incorporate feedback, suggested changes, corrections, and otherwise navigate the editing process in a courteous, professional manner;
• Effective computer skills using Microsoft products, and comfort with cloud-based project management tools
• Ability to present data effectively in oral, written, and graphic forms;
• Strong development, statistical and analytical skills;
• Ability to work well with persons of varied economic, ethnic, and social backgrounds including community groups and government and professional agencies; and
• Knowledge of proposal preparation preferred.

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• B.A. in English, journalism, creative writing, humanities, or related field which requires similar writing, analytical, creative problem-solving, and communication skills; or equivalent work experience.
• Writing Sample (Note required for consideration of application materials) should demonstrate
• At TAP, we focus on the Whole Family Approach. Whole Family is a family led strategy to achieve set goals. As an employee you may be required to attend Whole Family training and subject to data entry into the agency’s software as part of the Whole Family approach and serving clients

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have a valid Virginia Operator’s license with a good driving record and reliable transportation.
• TAP participates in the Virginia DMV Driver Alert Program. Employees who operate a TAP vehicle or their personal vehicle to conduct TAP business may be subject to driver record monitoring through the Virginia DMV Driver Alert Program.
• Must pass drug screening.
• This position is available for remote work upon supervisor approval.
• Physical activity of this position – use of fingers for – picking, pinching and typing; talking; hearing; repetitive motion of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Physical requirements of this position – sedentary work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Visual Acuity requirements – visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading and visual inspection.
• The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

This description provides information regarding the essential functions of the designated job, and general nature and level of work associated with the job. It should not be interpreted to describe all the duties that may be required of such employees or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given.

We only hire individuals legally eligible for employment in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace

Bilingual Ability is a plus.