Title:                   Grant Writer                                                                               Reports to:       Grants Manager                                                                               FLSA Status:     Exempt                                                                                                    Salary Range:   $80,728 - $90,819                                                                        Location:          Remote                                                                                                    Tentative Start Date: As soon as possible

About Race Forward

Since 1981, Race Forward has brought a systemic analysis and an innovative approach to complex race  issues to help people take effective action toward racial equity. Race Forward's mission is to support communities and public institutions to achieve a just multiracial democratic society through governance that advances racial justice. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, we build strategies to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture. Race Forward envisions a just, multiracial democratic society free from oppression and exploitation, in which people of color thrive with power and purpose. 

Position Summary

The Grant Writer plays a key role in Race Forward’s Development and Partnerships team by supporting fundraising efforts through expert writing, operational excellence, and administrative coordination. This position requires a strategic thinker with strong writing and communication skills, capable of producing high-quality grant proposals and reports while also managing essential grant-related administrative tasks. The Grant Writer will work closely with the Grants Manager and Director of Philanthropic Partnerships to streamline processes, maintain grant portals, and support the development of general operating support materials. 

This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining. 

Duties/Responsibilities

Grant Writing and Proposal Development

• Develop compelling grant proposals, reports, concept papers, and letters of inquiry that align with Race Forward’s mission and funding priorities.

• Manage a portfolio of funding opportunities, and provide support as needed to other members of grants team in their grant processes.

• Support Grants Manager in working with program staff to gather relevant information, data, and outcomes for proposals and reporting.

• Maintain and update boilerplate materials to ensure consistency and effectiveness.

• Customize proposals to meet the specific requirements of funders, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and persuasiveness.

  Administrative and Operational Support

• Manage and maintain grant portals, ensuring timely submissions and document organization.

• Track grant application deadlines, reporting requirements, and submission statuses to support smooth grant cycles.

• Coordinate with grants team on internal processes for proposal development, including scheduling meetings, gathering materials, and ensuring alignment across departments.

• Maintain organized records of grant documents, funder communications, and reporting deadlines in Salesforce and Google Drive.

• Assist with database updates and donor records to ensure accuracy and completeness.

  Grants Management and Compliance

• Support the Grants Manager in monitoring grant compliance, tracking deliverables, and ensuring reporting accuracy.

• Assist in compiling data and narratives for funder reports and organizational updates.

• Ensure timely follow-up with funders regarding grant-related questions or clarifications as applicable.

• Support Grants Manager and Director of Philanthropic Partnerships to coordinate among departments to ensure a smooth flow of information and to facilitate a thoughtful, strategic relationship with Program and Finance teams

Required Job Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

To perform successfully in this role, incumbent should possess skills identified below: 

• Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and translate complex programmatic work into persuasive proposals.

• Strong administrative and organizational skills, with keen attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.

• Experience managing grant portals and funding databases to ensure accurate and efficient application tracking.

• Ability to synthesize information from multiple stakeholders and maintain consistency in messaging.

• Collaborative and proactive approach, working and communicating effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with a solutions-oriented mindset.

• Proficiency with technology tools such as Slack, Asana, Salesforce, Google Suite, Outlook, and AI tools for workflow efficiency.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, including effective communication to lead, and collaborate with colleagues in a multi-racial, multi-generational work environment

• Experience holding multiple concurrent projects, under concrete deadlines.

• Understanding of the racial justice movement.

• Strategic and analytical thinking skills coupled with the ability to solve problems and make decisions.

Required Education and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in grant writing or a related role.

• Demonstrated success in securing institutional funding from foundations and corporate sponsors.

• Familiarity with racial justice funding and commitment to advancing racial equity.

• Proficiency with grant tracking systems, CRM platforms, and document management tools (Salesforce, Google Suite)

Additional Information

This position requires long periods of time at a desk on a computer, performing sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing, and desk work. This position will be working remotely. 

There is little travel required for this position - under 20% (local and national)

Race Forward Core Organizational Competencies

Consistently demonstrates, through behavior, understanding of racial equity, institutional racism, and  structural racism; and the ability to apply that analysis to Race Forward work and culture. Demonstrates, through action, commitment to centering Blackness in both internal and external work. 

Accountable and Self- Reflective. 

Consistently practices self-reflection; follows through on commitments; treats others fairly and  consistently; confronts difficult issues despite discomfort and supports others who do so; shows strong commitment to personal and professional values; champions new ideas. Demonstrates a strong  understanding of how identity and corresponding power dynamics impact interactions. 

Transparent and Collaborative. 

Actively builds and sustains authentic, meaningful relationships with colleagues and external partners, across race and other group identities, to strengthen our work and create new opportunities. Communicates clearly and directly with colleagues. Engages in ways that are solutions- oriented and productive. Is proactive to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings, especially across differences in identity and experience; works to foster a culture that allows all voices to be heard and is respectful and  supportive of staff, without expecting perfection. 

Strategic and Creative. 

Cultivates and generates new ideas and customized approaches that add value and foster innovative  solutions; thinks critically, anticipating unintended impacts of decisions; engages the correct  stakeholders with a specific emphasis on BIPOC communities, and identifies ways to connect their work to the work of other departments and teams as well as to Race Forward’s mission, vision, and values. 

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent in the position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills of the employee. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Race Forward is an at-will employer and may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice. 

AAP/EEO Statement: 

Race Forward is an active Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law. 

ADA Statement: 

It is the goal of Race Forward to ensure that its programs, services, buildings, employment opportunities, communications, and work environments are accessible to all individuals, and to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.