Arena Careers

Job Title: Senior Grants Writer
Reports To: Director of Development
Salary Range: $110,000 - $120,000

Way to Win is seeking a Senior Grants Writer at Way to Win to be a pivotal member of our Development Team, acting as the primary liaison between our organization and foundation partners. Reporting directly to the Director of Development, this role is responsible for researching, preparing, submitting, and managing grant proposals and reports that align with our organizational goals and foundation funding criteria. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional writing, data analysis, program budgeting, and project management skills, with a strong emphasis on clear writing and outcome measurement.

Responsibilities:

• Grant Development and Management:

  • Develop and manage the production of high-impact and tailored grant proposals, applications, progress reports, draft budgets, and other collateral materials that compellingly convey our mission and direction.

  • Work extensively with program staff to develop, write, and present new or pilot proposals to funders.

  • Collaborate with external grant writing consultants to enhance the quality and effectiveness of our grant submissions.

  • Provide strategic guidance and support to the development team, including coordinating, scripting, and preparing for meetings between Way vehicles and funders.

  • Work with communications and advising teams to develop high-level messaging and framing for grant programs aimed at key audiences.

• Proposal Writing and Submission:

  • Write, edit, and submit compelling grant proposals and applications.

  • Develop and maintain a detailed calendar of grant deadlines and reporting requirements.

  • Lead grant proposal development and submission, preparing and organizing materials for proposals, and monitoring grant applications.

  • Draft proposals/LOIs, grant application narratives, and budgets in collaboration with development, program, finance staff, and the Executive Director.

  • Submit grant applications and meet with funders alongside the Director of Development to explore funding opportunities and fulfill site visit requirements.

  • Maintain a master calendar of grants and prospects, including all associated files and correspondence.

  • Maintain a library of grant support documents, such as resumes, bios, IRS forms, and Board/staff diversity lists.

  • Execute thank you letters and facilitate grant contracts/agreements.

  • Ensure acknowledgment of funders/investors via the website, e-newsletter, and social media.

• Compliance and Reporting:

  • Work with the Senior Manager of Fundraising Operations to maintain grant compliance and reporting, including outcome measurement and grant budgets.

  • Monitor and maintain funder reporting schedules and requirements.

  • Lead the Development Team in drafting compelling progress reports and program updates to funders, capturing programmatic success.

  • Assemble necessary supporting materials and documents, such as budget reports, outcome measurements, and success stories, and submit reports to funders.

• Relationship Management:

  • Assist with cultivating and nurturing relationships with program officers, family foundations, and individuals to strengthen partnerships and identify new funding opportunities.

• Collaboration and Communication:

  • Facilitate regular communication and information sharing between program staff and funders to ensure alignment, transparency, and responsiveness to funder expectations.

• Grant Strategy and Evaluation:

  • Contribute proactively to short- and long-term strategic planning activities to establish and track fundraising goals from foundation and government grants.

  • Support the development of grantmaking strategies and priorities in collaboration with senior leadership and program staff, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and objectives.

  • Stay abreast of emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in foundation and government grantmaking to inform the organization’s grant strategy development and implementation.

Qualifications:

• Work Experience:

  • Minimum of 7 years of experience in professional fundraising, including at least 5 years of grant writing.

  • Successful track record for securing six figure commitments from institutional funders.

  • A professional, proactive, and resourceful style with the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment

  • Proven track record of delivering high-quality results ahead of deadlines.

  • Experience working with a movement organization is a plus.

  • Experience working with Salesforce or other CRM for record-keeping and grant management.

  • Experience writing on a range of issues, including progressive political organizing, democracy, civic engagement, and social justice.

  • Experience with organizations maintaining both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities.

Salary and Generous Benefits Package

Salary Range: $110,000 - $125,000

The position is remote and can be based anywhere in the U.S.

Way To Win offers a fully remote environment and is proud to offer a robust benefits package:

• Health Care - Comprehensive and robust 100% employee and family paid health care coverage to all employees.

• Retirement Plan - employees are fully vested in the company’s retirement plan 90 days after their start date. Way to Win contributes 3% of the base salary to the employee’s retirement account, regardless of whether the employee contributes or not.

• Life, Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, and AD&D - Employer paid Life Insurance, Disability and AD&D.

• Unlimited Paid Time Off.

• Office Closure - 30 days of holiday time, this includes a Spring break, Summer break, Thanksgiving break and an EOY break.

• FSA - Three different tax-deferred FSA accounts (funded by employees) – Health, Commuter (transit/parking — including UberPool), and Dependent Care.

• Family Leave -12 weeks of paid Family Leave for the birth, adoption, or fostering of a child after one full year of employment.

• Professional Development - Yearly stipend for staff to receive training and development.

• EAP - Confidential Employee Assistant Program (EAP) to all full-time employees to assist with work and personal challenges.

• Work from Home - $150 monthly mobile phone stipend.

Way to Win is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, citizenship status, disability status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression of an otherwise qualified individual, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law.