GRANT WRITER

ABOUT US

Interfaith America is a national nonprofit organization based in Chicago. We believe that religious diversity is a foundational American strength, and we are building a nation that achieves that promise for the common good. Our mission is to inspire, equip, and connect leaders and institutions to unlock the potential of America’s religious diversity. We leverage our expertise in interfaith leadership in different sectors and spaces in American life, such as higher education, health, public policy, racial equity, and business – giving leaders and institutions the tools and resources they need to positively engage religious diversity for the common good. 

At Interfaith America, we are ever-adapting and changing. We look for people who set audacious goals and love that one workday may not be like the next. We have a strong commitment to pluralism and building bridges across deep differences. Our programs help people build skills to bridge deep ideological divides. Our work is about staying in relationship with one another and contributing to the common good even when we might disagree on fundamental things. We seek to attract and retain a team of staff comprised of a wide variety of views and backgrounds we need to achieve our vision, especially people from communities historically underrepresented in interfaith work.

ABOUT YOU

You have experience with and a passion for nonprofit work, enjoy the writing process, have outstanding communication skills, and are familiar with grant writing. You also have great attention to detail, enjoy problem-solving, thrive in a collaborative environment, and are energized by working across teams within a mission driven organization.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

This position supports written foundation submissions, works with finance on pre-award budget planning and preparation and post-award project accounting, communicates with program staff on project responsibilities and status, and researches new funding opportunities.

Responsibilities:   

• Collaborate with the Director of Foundation Relations to craft, edit, review, and submit documents to foundations, including concept papers, LOIs, proposals, and reports 
• Gather data, metrics, and stories of impact from program and communication team members to support funder submissions 
• Coordinate with finance team and program staff to develop grant budget documents (project budget, grant requests, budget narratives), and prepare grant financial reports, budget modification requests, and other finance-related submissions to funders 
• Support the Director of Foundation Relations with project management to ensure on-time submission of all required materials 
• Stay apprised of current activities across all of IA’s practice areas, especially as it relates to information needed for courtship and stewardship of funders and compliance with terms and conditions of grant agreements 
• Support management and accuracy of the foundation pipeline system and track status of grants in Salesforce and other tools 
• Participate in grant launch meetings, monitor grant progress, and coordinate mid- and final-grant check-ins with program staff 
• Execute online portal submissions 
• Support other Advancement activities as needed, including individual giving and funder-related events 

Qualifications:  

• A Bachelor’s degree 
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills 
• 1-3 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising/grant writing (experience with private foundation grant-making strongly preferred) 
• Grant database experience, preferred experience with Salesforce NPSP 
• Exceptional writing and editing skills and attention to detail to produce quality products 
• Experience reading and understanding financial documents and grant documents 
• Ability to balance and prioritize multiple ongoing projects from multiple stakeholders 
• Ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure 
• Strong attention to detail 
• Strong competence in Microsoft Office 
• Authorization to work in the United States  
• Enjoys a collaborative work environment and is eager to learn new skills and support growing areas of work 

Preferred Qualifications (not required): 

• High level of religious literacy and fluency in diversity, pluralism, and inclusion 

Competencies: 

• Customer Service - Providing timely, attentive, upbeat service to an internal or external colleague and making sure their needs are met in a manner that reflects positively on Interfaith America. 
• Project Support – Assisting with planning and executing project or pieces of a project. 
• Results Oriented – Ability to complete multiple assigned tasks across multiple program and project areas with a high level of excellence, attention to detail and within assigned deadlines.
• Adaptability - Adapting to change within the organization, programs and projects with grace and a positive attitude.
• Time Management - Ability to use one's time effectively or productively. 
• DEI Cultural Competency - Ability to understand, appreciate and interact effectively with people from all cultures, identities, lived experiences or belief systems different from one's own.

Supervisor: Director of Foundation Relations

Leadership Level: Coordinator

Location: Remote from CO, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, NC, NY, OH, TX, VA, or WI. This position will make 4 trips to our Chicago office per year unless based in Chicago.

Compensation: $55,000 - $60,000 annually, plus excellent benefits. Please read more about our benefits here.

Application is open until filled, for preferred consideration please apply by December 6, 2024. A cover letter is required as part of this application process.

Other Requirements: The Grant Writer position requires the ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to: maintain regular attendance; work cooperatively with others; adhere to Interfaith America personnel policies and safety rules; sit and/or stand for extended periods of time; operate standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, photocopiers, and projectors; communicate orally, in writing, and via computers and digital devices; and requires close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, transcribe, view a computer terminal and other office equipment.

Interfaith America is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodation will be provided as needed to enable qualified applicants with a disability to participate in pre-employment procedures.