A Grant Specialist at the YMCA of Rock River Valley supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Grant Specialist is a job shared position and serves as a member of the Y’s development team and champions the Y’s philanthropic endeavors by providing strategic leadership in financial development to advance the YMCA’s mission and position the YMCA as a ‘charity of choice.’ This position serves as a primary grant writer for the association; assists the Governing Board, branch advisory boards, and association staff with fundraising initiatives throughout the year; and stewards the Y’s cause, promoting and protecting the brand and reputation as a global, inclusive organization within the community.
Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Serves as a grant writer for the association; which includes preparing, submitting and managing assigned grant proposals to support the philanthropic efforts of the Y.
- Effectively coordinates assigned responsibilities with the CAO, finance, and the program team, ensuring all grant-related activities are assigned and completed according to expectations.
- Works collaboratively with program staff, finance staff, and advancement staff members.
- Works a hybrid schedule including in-office and work from home options with variable hours as needed.
- Is responsible for establishing and managing a comprehensive process for timely and accurate grant evaluation, quality compliance, project and program fulfillment.
- Researches potential funders, (e.g., foundations, corporations) and builds strong, strategic relationships with current and prospective partners inside and outside the Y.
- Effectively communicates community benefit and the Y’s impact for all stakeholders (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, community leaders) and maintains an efficient and effective tracking and reporting system that supports the financial development efforts of the Y.
- Reports the sources, uses, and management of donated funds to constituents to preserve and enhance confidence in the organization.
- Participates in supporting all levels of staff in engagement of annual giving strategies and activities.
Qualifications include, but are not limited to:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent education/experience.
- Five or more years of professional experience with a background in fund raising, grant writing, and impact reporting, preferably in a non-profit agency.
- Familiarity with fundraising techniques and strategies.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills, particularly the ability to read, analyze, write, and edit reports according to prescribed style/format and correspond with external businesses and community members.
- Ability to communicate effectively to community leaders and diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, peers, volunteers, customers and the general public.
- Ability to meet deadlines, as well as the ability to collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions, reason and solve problems.
- Ability to develop and use spreadsheets and standard business software systems.
- Awareness of and familiarity with donor management software and state and federal granting portals.
To view the full job description, please visit YMCA Grant Specialist
Schedule and compensation:
Full Time, Exempt, Partially Grant-Funded
Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm
Salary range: $50,000 per year (Pay is based on experience and functional knowledge)
Location:
SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA
200 Y Blvd.
Rockford, IL 61107