If interested, please include a cover letter and a sample of a successful proposal along with your application. 

About Operation Food Search:

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search is a hunger relief organization that provides food, nutrition education and innovative programs in order to reduce food insecurity and increase equitable access to food. We serve 200,000 people every month through a network of 330 partners in 25 counties in Missouri and Illinois. We use a combination of immediate food assistance and supportive services, while also working on long-term solutions and systemic changes to help solve the problem of hunger. 

Our Mission is to heal hunger with innovative and collaborative solutions that provide food today and help create a hunger-free tomorrow.

Our Vision is a region where everyone has equitable access to the food they need to lead healthy lives.

Our Goals are to:

1) Meet the immediate need for food for children, individuals and families by providing high-quality nutrition through our distribution network.

2) Empower long-term skills through nutrition education and by teaching how to shop and prepare healthy food on a budget.

3) Champion change through advocacy, innovative programs and by addressing systemic inequities.

For more information about OFS, please visit our website at www.operationfoodsearch.org. 

Position Summary:

Operation Food Search is seeking a results-driven Grants Specialist to play a key role in our overall fund development program. Reporting to the Grants Manager, the Grants Specialist will research corporate and foundation prospects and write proposals with the purpose of generating grant revenue to support existing and planned program activities. Additionally, the position will work with program and data strategy staff to complete reports on funded program activities.

Essential Functions:

Grant Proposal and Report writing

• Research and identify public and private grant opportunities
• Work with Grants Manager and program staff to effectively communicate in writing detailed proposal and report copy
• Work with various staff teams, i.e. programs, finance, data strategy manager, communications, etc., to develop collateral for grants

Grants Administration

• Keep grant donor information updated in GrantHub and donor database (Donor Perfect)
• Work with Grants Manager to create a grant response database and assist in keeping it timely and relevant

Program Grant Portfolio Management

• Coordinate with program and finance staff about upcoming proposals/reports in the Grant Specialist’s portfolio
• Communicate details of grant awards with program, finance, and development staff toward appropriate and timely funds expenditures and reporting
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures governing these grants, and oversee the timely submission of required reports, documentation, and reimbursement requests

Stewardship

• With the Grants Manager and other development/communications staff, recommend donor/prospect cultivation meetings, schedule social/media recognition, and draft verbiage for acknowledgement letters and mid-year program updates as appropriate for assigned program portfolios

Education and/or Experience:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Human Services, or a related field is required
• 3-5 years of prior professional experience in grant writing, research, and grants management

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Passionate about finding solutions for hunger and food insecurity
• Experience with grant submissions and moving forward the entire grants life cycle
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, detailed, and compelling grant proposals and reports
• Able to assess funding opportunities critically and strategically, identifying those that align with the organization’s mission and capacity
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines effectively, ensuring accuracy and completeness in all documentation
• Knowledge of the St. Louis area philanthropic landscape
• Open to learning from, and working with, colleagues from varied backgrounds, valuing different perspectives as we work together
• Comfortable working independently and proactively, with a focus on advancing projects in a timely manner
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and experience with donor software (e.g., GrantHub, Donor Perfect) or a willingness to learn these platforms

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

• Sedentary inside office work with limited exposure to weather conditions

Benefits – FT Positions

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• HRA and FSA
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Vacation and sick time, paid holidays
• Short and long-term disability income
• Company-paid term life and AD&D insurance
• Voluntary employee-paid term life and AD&D insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Wellness support
• Potential for student loan forgiveness, if qualified

Please include a cover letter and a sample of a successful proposal along with your application.

Location: 1644 Lotsie Blvd., Overland, MO 63132

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.