The Senior Grant Writer serves as the community and local government lead within the grants team and supports the Director of Government and Community Grants. They are responsible for helping to secure funding opportunities and write polished proposals to advance the mission of the agency. They manage the flow of information, adherence to deadlines, and are an expert on foundation, corporate and local government grants.

essential duties

1. Study and understand the history, structure, objectives, services, and financial needs of the agency.
2. Write compelling grant proposals with all supporting documents based on the funding requirements and programmatic needs of the agency.
3. Handle competing deadlines and a complex calendar of application due dates.
4. Attend webinars and information sessions for any prospective community and local government applications.
5. Respond to internal and external queries on drafted and submitted proposals.
6. Be the expert on community and local government grants.
7. Coordinate with Data Systems and Analytics and Program Services, when new grants are awarded, to ensure contract outcome and tracking requirements are effectively communicated.
8. Assist the Manager of Grants with complex applications when needed, per the Request for Proposal (RFP) management Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

job requirements

a. Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in human-service or business-related field preferred.
2. Minimum of 3 years of experience in grant writing, nonprofit development, or applicable experience Knowledge of local, state, and federal labor laws.
3. Experience working with government, foundation, or corporate contracts and familiarity with prospect research techniques and resources.
4. Experience with project management/donor tracking software such as Raiser’s Edge, preferred.

b. Additional Requirements

1. Must satisfactorily pass criminal history check.
2. Must satisfactorily pass tuberculosis (TB) test.
3. Must have reliable transportation and a valid Washington State driver's license (or be able to obtain one by date of employment).
4. Employees and volunteers who operate their own or Friends of Youth vehicles on Friends of Youth business, must have a safe driving record as defined by Friends of Youth.
5. Employees and volunteers who operate their own vehicle(s) on Friends of Youth business must carry auto liability insurance that complies with the requirements of Friends of Youth.
6. Must successfully complete the following health certification requirements within 30 days of employment: CPR, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens.
7. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required. There are no exemptions.

c. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Able to engage with diverse populations in a culturally responsive manner.
2. Demonstrate a commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion by honoring and celebrating diverse characteristics and expressions of personal identity.
3. Strong commitment to Friends of Youth’s mission, vision, and values.
4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
5. Knowledge of County and Federal HHS/HUD grant guidelines preferred.
6. Demonstrate proficiency with web-based grant application/administration systems.
7. Able to write clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive proposals, with a track record of obtaining public and private funding proposals for nonprofit organizations.
8. Excellent time management and organizational skills, and able to establish timelines and utilize best practices for research proposals.
9. Able to work effectively with employees at all levels and across all departments and divisions of the agency.
10. Strong analytical skills, detail oriented, organized, and adaptable.
11. Proficient skill set with MS Office Suite programs.