Grant Writer (1633)

Grant Writer

The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles has an opportunity for an experienced and detail-oriented Grant Writer. The grant writer role is a wonderful opportunity for a passionate individual to join a dynamic team dedicated to improving the lives of youth and families across Los Angeles, finding personal and professional fulfillment. The Grant Writer role is responsible for developing and writing grants and proposals to individuals, foundations, and corporations that successfully meet or exceed the fundraising goals and objectives of the YMCA of Metro Los Angeles. The ideal candidate will have the ability to set priorities, exercise sound judgment, work intuitively, and have experience effectively managing several projects at the same time.

Essential Functions

Grant Writing (75%)

• Author proposals and associated reports, both independently and in concert with other staff, for foundations, corporations, and governmental agencies.
• Assist the Director of Grants in compiling funding packages including from letter of intent, proposal, reporting, and tracking stages
• Meet strategic goals and objectives
• Model inclusive leadership behaviors and embraces all dimensions of diversity - building strong teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to our mission
• Responsible for successful Strategic Plan metrics, and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)
• Implement a goal-based leadership approach (OKR methodology) and ensure the Mission Advancement department is actively working towards supporting organizational level objectives and key impact results.

Grant Administration (25%)

• Identify, research, organize the application in preparation for submission.
• Identify and help develop relationships with prospective funders.
• Maintain calendar system to track grant application and report deadlines, record contacts, and correspondence, and acknowledge gifts
• Review and record all incoming grant-related requests and serves as the initial point of contact.
• Help maintain donor files and donor database.
• Assist with grants tracking and reporting requirements.
• Assist with additional development-related projects as needed.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Research and identify potential donors by researching prospects, reviewing related files, following-up on leads, remaining up-to-date on donor research, analyzing funding reference tools such as annual reports, foundation directories, and IRS 990 forms and more.
• Write accurate and interesting inquiries, letters and proposals requesting funds from individual, corporate and foundation prospects.
• Write acknowledgement letters and reports to corporate and foundation donors.
• Identify new funders to support programs that align with the organization's strategic and core focus areas.
• Meet with program staff to determine funding needs and program planning.
• Ensure that all submissions and correspondences with foundation and corporate staff are completed on time.
• Track and monitor proposals, their deadlines, and requirements in database management.
• Maintain tracking and reminder system for grant, renewal, and report deadlines.
• Monitor results of written requests, such as proposal acceptance rate, number of requests, and more.
• Coordinate the efforts of key staff members to ensure that documents are completed by the specified deadlines.
• Maintain accurate and updated electronic files of donors and prospects including copies of correspondence, proposals, reports, and notes on significant phone conversations or donor visits.
• Work in conjunction with administrative and fiscal staff to ensure that corporate and foundation gifts and correspondence are logged on Raiser's Edge.
• Work in concert with the Marketing, Communications, and Creative Direction team members to support the organization to share its impact.
• Attend and serve as staff support for fundraising-related and departmental events.
• Contribute ideas and participate in the planning of department-wide projects and overall development operations.
• Assist in the research, development, and summarization of annual needs assessment.
• Assist in other fundraising and engagement activities, such as presentations, meeting with funders, and more.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required.
• Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk
• Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Fairness) as well as the YMCA Core Values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility in all dealings with members, guests, volunteers and fellow
• Demonstrate competencies in and willingness to develop in the Cause Driven Leadership areas of mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness and personal
• All other duties as assigned by your supervisor

YMCA Leadership Competencies The Y's Leadership Competency Model is comprised of 14 Leadership Competencies (leadership knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for success in the Y), organized by the four disciplines of Cause-Driven Leadership:

• Advancing Our Mission & Cause: Provide visionary leadership to the organization and to ensure that all resources are mobilized to adapt to new challenges and needs in the community
  • Competencies Include: Change Leadership, Engaging Community, Philanthropy, & Volunteerism
• Building Relationships: Connect people to the Y's cause by developing inclusive relationships, partnerships and collaborations so that Ys can co-create solutions to pressing social needs
  • Competencies Include: Collaboration, Communication & Influence, & Inclusion
• Leading Operations: ensure relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability of the organization so that we can continue to fulfill our promise to the community
  • Competencies Include: Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Fiscal Management, Functional Expertise, Innovation, & Program/Project Management
• Developing & Inspiring Others: support the holistic development of self and others so that everyone can embrace the Y's cause, sustain the Y's culture, and inspire others to take individual and collective action to further our impact
  • Competencies Include: Emotional Maturity & Developing Self & Others

While all competencies are significant, the following are critical to success in this position:

• Philanthropy
• Communication & Influence
• Fiscal Management
• Emotional Maturity

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree is required from an accredited college or university.
• Related Experience: A minimum of 3+ years in grant writing experience or comparable skills in a nonprofit setting, preferably in development, community relations, or marketing/communications that includes grant, proposal and report writing responsibilities
• Specialized Skills: The successful candidate will possess: strong writing skills and verbal communications, the ability to meet deadlines and to work on multiple projects concurrently, the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Demonstrated understanding of fundraising databases and best practices in their use and management
• Highly developed organizational and time-management skills, ability to effectively multi-task
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues and prospects, building respect, consensus and trust
• Ability to be resourceful and creative
• Ability to understand target audience and apply ideas, thoughts and projects to relate work to those specific audiences

Work Environment/Minimum Physical Requirements

• You must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.