Senior Grant Writer

Position Title: Senior Grant Writer
Status: Full-Time w/Benefits (hybrid)
Directly Reports to: Chief Development Officer
Salary Range: $65K-$70K

How to Apply: Interested applicants, please submit a cover letter and resume to: ymurphy@dpsfdn.org.
Subject Line: SGW POSITION.

ABOUT DPSCD FOUNDATION:
The Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation’s (Foundation) mission is to create and enhance educational opportunities that are equitable and inclusive for the Detroit Public Schools Community District’s (District) students, families, and educators by building strong community philanthropic partnerships and advocating for policy, systemic, sustainable change. The Foundation has been working closely with the District since 2009, serving as its fundraising and fiduciary partner. Over the years, we have implemented and managed more than 100 programs. These initiatives focus on various critical areas that enhance education and support students holistically. The priority areas include education and literacy, health, science, technology, engineering, art, and math (often referred to as STEAM), workforce development, college pathways, and experiences beyond the classroom. This is achieved by executing fiduciary responsibilities over donations, leveraging partnerships and resources, grant administrative management, and fiscal and programmatic oversight. The Foundation, in partnership with the District, has established an exciting strategic plan with key sustainable program growth opportunities.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Foundation is seeking a dynamic, creative, passionate Senior Grant Writer who has a proven track record of writing and securing grant funding while building robust relationships with existing and new funders. A demonstrated history of researching opportunities is required. This individual will also lead our grants program within the foundation, helping to support implementation and evaluation of program cycles from District programs. Responsibilities will include managing overall grant writing and submission efforts, funder relationship development, program oversight, working closely with the finance team to track grant payments and expenditures, preparing progress and final reports for funders, ensuring compliance with grant regulations, assisting in managing grant databases, and engagement with donor agencies. Grant writing efforts are inclusive of local, state, and federal proposal curation, and corporate and foundation stewardship, while also ensuring all reporting requirements are satisfied to maintain and increase our funder relationships. This position is vital to ensuring the ongoing development of the Foundation while ensuring our District-partnered programs are delivered on time, within budget, and according to quality standards. The primary goal of the Senior Grant Writer will be to align District goals and objectives with our fundraising goals while ultimately creating positive impacts for DPSCD students and families.

The Senior Grant Writer will report directly to the Chief Development Officer of the Foundation and will work closely with District leaders, administration, and principals’ counterparts to design and develop sustainable programming for K-12 students. Innovation and transformational program design will also be a function of the role. This person must be a self-starter with keen attention to detail and the ability to connect programmatic efforts and align with future goals and initiatives. The goal is to align programs with organizational goals and objectives to measure and evaluate program results. They must also be excellent communicators and be able to work collaboratively with their teams and stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop individual grant proposals in accordance with each grant-making organization’s preferences and follow exactly each grant-making organization’s guidelines.
• Acquire and maintain sound knowledge and understanding of the organization and use that knowledge and understanding to better comprehend all projects and programs for which grants will be sought and to recommend the seeking of grants.
• Research grant-making organizations and analyze them to identify likely funding sources for specific projects and programs.
• Compile, write, and edit all grant applications exhibiting strong expository writing skills and a high-level command of grammar and spelling.
• Review the budget of a project or program for which funding is sought and make recommendations to better present it to grant-making organizations.
• Develop individual grant proposals in accordance with each grant-making organization’s preferences and follow exactly each grant-making organization’s guidelines.
• Keep in contact with grant-making organizations during their review of a submitted grant application to be able to supply additional supportive material.
• Coordinate the development of grant requests by establishing timelines outlining tasks, assignments, and deadlines; meet all deadlines; facilitate timely communications with program leadership; collect grant submission materials from program leadership.
• Draft and edit grant proposals, checking for completeness against grant instructions, spelling, grammar, and style. Format agency budget to meet grant sources’ budget requirements.
• Develop grant budgets in coordination with District program managers and Foundation accounting staff.
• Ensure complete files are maintained for all funders including copies of grant requests, proposals, compliance reports, and other information submitted by program directors as required by grant sources.
• Oversee reporting requirements for federal, state, local, and private foundation grants in coordination with the agency’s multiple programs and accounting department.
• Maintain a database system for tracking all grant submissions and reporting deadlines.
• Initiate and set goals for programs according to the strategic objectives of the organization.
• Keep senior management informed with detailed and accurate reports or presentations.
• Work closely with all stakeholders in developing and implementing programs and the contracts and processes for monitoring service delivery and contractual compliance for Foundation and District programs and services.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree required and 5+ years of key relevant experience in Philanthropy, public administration, communications, journalism or education, human services and/or similar fields.
• Proven track record of success in procuring grants.
• Knowledge and experience administering federal contracts, grants, and other funding sources preferred.
• Knowledge of regulatory and industry best practice standards.
• Knowledge of and experience addressing compliance standards of funders (foundation, corporation, government).
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions.
• Possess managerial skills (technical, conceptual, interpersonal, communication, organization, and decision-making).
• Computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite 365, Adobe Acrobat, and other online portals and platforms (i.e., Fluxx, Cyber Grants, DonorPerfect, and Constant Contact).
• Ability to professionally interact with a wide range of individuals including key stakeholders, vendors, students, educators, and parents.
• Ability to multi-task and problem-solve.
• Candidates must possess an ability to work well under pressure and the ability to seek and synthesize information and communicate in a compelling and succinct form.
• DPS/DPSCD graduate preferred but not required.
• Other duties as assigned.

CORE VALUES:

• We are devoted, dedicated, and always willing to pitch in.
• We are passionate about what we do.
• We do what we say.
• We have a “Can Do” attitude.
• We always treat co-workers, donors, children, and families with respect, courtesy, and patience.