Grants & Development Associate

Saint John’s Program for Real Change mission is to provide a safe space for women and children to heal and develop the skills necessary to transform their lives. We accomplish our mission by holding to our vision to end the generational cycle of trauma and homelessness.

We operate the largest residential program for formerly homeless women and children in the Sacramento region providing services 24 hours/day, 365 days/year, offering shelter, meals, childcare, and comprehensive support services, including Behavioral Health Services, Hands-on Employment Training, Career Education, and Family Services.

Joining our team means becoming part of a community dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of those we serve. At Saint John’s, you ‘ll be part of something bigger – a mission-driven organization committed to making a lasting impact on our community. We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where teamwork, compassion, and empathy are valued. You’ll be surrounded by dedicated colleagues who share your passion for service others. We believe in investing in our staff and providing opportunities for professional growth and development because we recognize your work here will truly make a measurable difference.

Benefits/Perks of a career at Saint John’s

• Choice of 8 medical plans
• Choice of 3 dental plans
• Vision, Life and Accident and Injury Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403 (b) 100% match for 1%–6% of pay
• Paid Time Off includes: 11 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 7 sick days and up to 18 days of vacation per calendar year.

TITLE                          Grants & Development Associate

SALARY                     From $68,000 To $72,000 Annually

CLASSIFICATION      Full-Time, Non-Exempt

LOCATION                 On Site - Jackson Rd. Sacramento, CA (possibility for hybrid based on job requirements)

SCHEDULE                Monday- Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm (flexible hours as needed)

About the Position…

Are you a strong writer who also enjoys building relationships and supporting big-picture fundraising efforts? Saint John’s Program for Real Change is seeking a Grants and Development Associate to help drive our fundraising strategy through grants, corporate sponsorships, donor engagement, and special events. 

This is not a back-office-only role. While you’ll take the lead on researching and writing compelling grant proposals, you’ll also work closely with our team to support fundraising events, cultivate partnerships, and manage in-kind giving. It’s a great fit for someone who wants to grow into a well-rounded development professional while making a direct impact on the lives of women and children in crisis. 

You’ll be responsible for…

• Grants & Institutional Giving: Write clear, persuasive proposals and reports; maintain the grants calendar; collaborate with finance and program teams on budgets and data; track outcomes and ensure compliance 

• Corporate & Community Partnerships: Research new prospects; submit sponsorship applications; steward relationships with funders and event sponsors 

• Events & Fundraising Support: Play a key role in department-wide fundraising activities, including our signature Party for Change gala, community tabling events, and site visits 

• In-Kind Giving: Manage Amazon wish lists, community drives, and gift tracking to ensure donors feel valued and recognized 

• Team Collaboration: Work closely with development colleagues to hit an annual revenue goal of $1.8M, share ideas, and contribute to a culture of excellence and compassion 

You must have...

• Fluent in English language (spoken and written)
• Proficient knowledge of email, copiers, fax, and internet
• An incredible passion for our mission
• Bachelor’s degree OR equivalent experience in writing, fundraising, communications, or related field 
• 2+ years of experience in fundraising, development, or grants (nonprofit or transferable skills from sales, communications, project management welcome) 
• Excellent written communication skills — able to turn data and impact into compelling stories 
• Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to juggle multiple deadlines 
• A collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills and curiosity to learn 
• Experience with Microsoft Office; Salesforce or other donor databases a plus 

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The physical requirements for performing the essential functions of this position require the employee to be able to:

• Standing/walking approximately 20% and sitting 80% of the time
• Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to hear and respond to simple and sometimes critical messages exchanged in noisy/high traffic areas.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

It's a plus if you have...

• Fluency in Spanish language (spoken and written)
• Trauma informed training

You'll be successful if...

You’re a strong communicator.

You take your role seriously and are a great communicator in verbal and written communication. You’re intentional about giving internal and external clients a positive interaction.

You're organized and diligent.

You can multitask because you keep things in order. You can handle and prioritize multiple projects of various origins at once. You follow through on every request, no matter how big or small. You keep your cool under pressure and know how to prioritize your responsibilities. And when you need help, you’re not afraid to ask.

You are a team player.

You care more about overall results than personal recognition. You genuinely love collaboration and the process of working together to accomplish. You thrive in an environment where people are passionate about their work and mission. You’re excited to work cross-functionally with other departments.

You're detailed.

You double and triple-check your work because you know that accurate data is crucial for an Accounting Department to operate successfully. You pay strong attention to detail, have excellent math, grammar, spelling, and proofreading skills. You care about the numbers being right and take the time to make sure everything reconciles or is set up to be error-proof.

You're a self-starter.

You can work unaccompanied, and you work just as hard and thoroughly by yourself as you do when someone is looking.

Saint John’s Program for Real Change is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate because of age, color, gender, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, race, religion, marital status, or veteran status.