Grants and Donor Stewardship Manager

This is a new role within our agency, come join our expanding team!

The Grants and Donor Stewardship Manager plays a critical role on the development team, responsible for creating compelling written content that conveys the mission, impact, and funding needs of NWACS. This includes grant proposals, donor reports, and case-for-support materials for foundations, corporations, and individual donors. While this role collaborates with Marketing and Communications on visual and branding elements, it owns the development of most written fundraising materials. The role also partners with other development team members on individualized donor communications, prospect research, and provides backup support for donor database operations.

Key Responsibilities: (To include but not limited to the following)

Grant Strategy and Writing

• Research and identify grant opportunities that align with NWACS’s mission and priorities.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with granting partners through consistent communication, strategic engagement, and tailored stewardship plans that demonstrate impact, build trust, and foster long-term partnership.
   
• Write and submit persuasive grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and applications tailored to each funder’s guidelines and priorities.
• Collaborate with program staff and finance to collect programmatic, budget, and impact data needed for accurate proposals.
• Maintain detailed records of grant activity and reporting timelines.
• Prepare timely, comprehensive grant reports that demonstrate measurable outcomes.
   

Donor Communications and Stewardship Writing

• Develop donor impact reports that reflect outcomes, gratitude, and continued need.
• Draft compelling case-for-support and campaign narratives tailored to donors and sponsorship prospects.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to integrate visual elements and branding into written products.
• Ensure consistent messaging and tone in written communications across fundraising channels.
   

Prospect Research and Donor Proposal Support

• Partner with members of the development team to assist in researching individual, corporate, and foundation funders as requested. 
• Support team members by contributing written content for individualized donor proposals and stewardship reports.
• Provide writing and editing support for custom funding requests, sponsorship packages, and gift reporting materials.
• Collaborate in tailoring messaging based on donor interests, funding history, and organizational priorities.
   

Database and Donor Operations 

• Assist in gift entry and donor acknowledgment letter processing.
• Assist with generating fundraising reports and queries in the donor database.
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of data entry and donor records when serving in this capacity.
   

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (e.g., program staff, data team) to gather needed content for reports and proposals.
• Work closely with Marketing and Communications to ensure cohesive storytelling and brand consistency.
• Participate in team meetings to support integrated development strategies.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

Experience:
Proven experience in grant writing, preferably in the nonprofit sector, with a successful track record of securing funding from foundations, corporations, and/or government entities.

Writing & Research Skills:
Exceptional writing, editing, and research skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling, and tailored proposals, reports, and donor communications.

Donor-Centered Thinking:
Understanding of donor motivations and the ability to translate organizational impact into persuasive and meaningful language for funders and partners.

Collaboration:
Ability to work effectively across teams—especially with development, marketing, and program staff—to gather information and align messaging.

Attention to Detail:
Strong editing and proofreading abilities with a focus on accuracy, formatting, and alignment with funder requirements.

Organizational & Time Management:
Capacity to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and content requests simultaneously while maintaining high standards in work quality.

Technology Proficiency:
Comfort using donor databases and tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Workspace.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or professional certification in grant writing, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field
• At least 2 years of experience in grant writing, fundraising communications, or related nonprofit writing role
• Demonstrated ability to manage timelines and multiple written projects at once
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, public relations, nonprofit management, or related discipline
• Experience writing individualized donor proposals, stewardship reports, or case-for-support documents
• Familiarity with nonprofit CRM/donor databases (e.g., GiveSmart,  Bloomerang, Network for Good, Raiser’s Edge)
• Experience working in collaboration with marketing teams or using brand/visual guidelines
• Knowledge of philanthropy trends, especially in trauma-informed care, child welfare, or education sectors
• Grant reporting or evaluation experience, including translating data into narrative
• Experience in developing sponsorship proposals or campaign collateral for corporate partners
   

Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. NWACS offers excellent benefits and a competitive salary based on experience. For consideration, qualified candidates must submit a cover letter and detailed resume.