Grant Writer

About Glide
GLIDE is a nationally recognized center for social justice, dedicated to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis, and transforming lives. Through its integrated comprehensive services, advocacy initiatives, and inclusive community, GLIDE empowers individuals, families, and children to achieve stability and to thrive. GLIDE is on the forefront of addressing some of society’s most pressing issues, including poverty, housing and homelessness, and racial and social justice. GLIDE’s mission is to create a radically inclusive, just, and loving community mobilized to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization

Position Summary:
The Grant Writer supports GLIDE’s institutional fundraising efforts by managing grant prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities with a portfolio of private, corporate and government grant makers. This person plays a key role in meeting or exceeding annual Fund Development (FD) Department goals through compelling proposals, reports and relationship stewardship. S/he oversees a grants calendar and relationships and communications with current and prospective grant makers, and is responsible for meeting all deadlines for proposals, reports and acknowledgement letters.

The individual who will thrive in this position is an experienced, persistent, detail- and results-oriented advancement professional who truly values GLIDE’s mission and values and excels as a grant writer. This is an opportunity to join a high-functioning team that will acquaint you with a broad array of funding streams and best practices in the field.

This person must be able to work some non-traditional hours (nights and weekends) and be present at fundraising events.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Other duties can be assigned, and the duties and responsibilities of the job are subject to change without notice.
• Acquire and maintain knowledge of GLIDE, its mission, values and key strategies, and use that knowledge to develop compelling concept papers and proposals and cultivate and maintain funder relationships.
• Cultivate collaborative relationships with GLIDE program and administrative staff to stay current with organization activities and identify and create effective proposals.
• Identify and research prospective foundation, corporate and government grant makers.
• Deploy strong expository writing and editing skills to develop grant applications/proposals, reports to funders, customized acknowledgment letters and other written materials.
• Gather data and manage internal review processes to ensure grants are compelling, accurate and successful.
• Partner with program staff to develop and ensure accuracy of grant budgets.
• Plan and implement the timely submission of grant proposals and reports, in an environment of competing priorities and deadlines.
• Keep FD and GLIDE staff apprised of fundraising efforts and successes.
• Use Salesforce to record proposals and report submission activity, communications with funders, and grant acknowledgements.
• Interact by phone and in person with funders and prospects; assist in planning and hosting site visits, meetings and tours; and
• Attend and assist with donor cultivation and fundraising events as directed

Minimum Qualifications:
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical and research skills, detail orientation and follow-through are critical.
• Clear, concise writing that translates program detail and context into compelling written pieces is fundamental to the role.
• Highly collaborative, organized and efficient; skilled at managing and tracking information.
• Ability to establish and monitor priorities, maintain flexibility, and meet strict deadlines.
• Familiarity with online grant portals.
• Ability to identify, organize and respond to time-bound and unanticipated information requests from grant makers.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: a talented relationship builder who understands what motivates others.
• Considerable use of diplomacy and judgment, and the ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
• Thrives under pressure in a demanding, fast-paced and unpredictable work environment.
• Ability to operate with purpose, urgency and accuracy.
• Takes initiative and demonstrates persistence and creative problem solving.
• Demonstrates a commitment to learning, communicating and working respectfully with people from different from backgrounds and cultures.
• Commitment to social justice and inclusion for all.

Education and/or Experience:
• BA in English or related field and one to two years’ grant writing experience preferably in social services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience cultivating and stewarding relationships with grant making organizations, including private and corporate foundations, and government agencies/contacts desired.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and the process of institutional grant seeking, including methods and resources for grant research desired.
• Strong proficiency in MS Office suite, and Salesforce desired.

Physical Requirements:
• Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Ability to work on a computer and see details of objects at close range.
• Ability to hear within normal range, and communicate effectively (in person, telephone or Zoom).
• Finger dexterity and the ability to use all standard office equipment.
• Sit or stand comfortably; and the ability to navigate throughout office spaces (via elevator or stairs).

Work Environment
GLIDE’s buildings are located in the Tenderloin neighborhood.  GLIDE maintains an "open door" policy to the community and its clients, who frequently enter and leave the building.

This role is covered by the collective bargaining agreement.