POSITION:                                 Grant Writer

REPORTS TO:                           Chief Development Officer

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:          Full-time / Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Grant Writer is primarily responsible for developing and writing grant proposals to foundations and other grant-making organizations, and will persuasively communicate Keshet's mission and programs to potential funders. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Grant Writer will assemble and submit grant requests, establish and maintain personal contact and relationships with foundation contacts, conduct prospect research, and maintain a calendar of submissions and other deadlines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Developing and writing grant proposals to foundations and other grant-making organizations, persuasively communicating the organization’s mission and programs to potential funders;
• Assembling and submitting grant requests, including letters, proposals, budgets, and presentations;
• Establishing and maintaining personal contact and relationships with foundation contacts and program officers;
• Ensuring prompt acknowledgement of foundation gifts;
• Maintaining calendar to ensure timely submission of letters of inquiry, proposal deadlines, and reports
• Conducting prospect research;
• Prioritizing projects to keep multiple projects moving in a timely manner, meet deadlines and manage   supplemental material required for proposals’
• Providing writing support for major donor and individual contribution letters and acknowledgements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The successful candidate will be able to craft funding proposals in a clear and compelling manner.
• 3 -5 years of relevant experience are required
• Excellent writing, analytical, and research skills are essential.
• Familiarity with the nonprofit sector and an understanding of the disability community
• Candidates must be self-motivated, detail oriented, and highly-organized, and have experience using online databases and other sources to locate biographical, financial, and philanthropic information.
• A high level of computer literacy required, including familiarity with Donor Perfect database.
• 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. A solid understanding of budgets as they relate to proposals and grants,
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• This is an in office position
• Physical requirements include sitting for prolonged periods of time at a desk/computer workstation
• Must be flexible, adaptable, and able to complete work before deadlines
• Regular schedule to be mutually agreed upon by Keshet Leadership and the Grant Writer

ABOUT KESHET

From its core programs for children and adults with intellectual challenges in the Chicago area, to its international consulting work, Keshet serves over 1,000 individuals with disabilities and touches the lives of many more family members, peers, supporters, and other stakeholders around the globe. Keshet’s local leadership, comprised of nearly 100 lay leaders from all walks of life, provide the inspiration, direction, and funding required to fulfill the organization’s mission: to do whatever is necessary to allow individuals with disabilities to achieve their potential.