THE ORGANIZATION:
Small business owners uplift communities and anchor local economies, while creating opportunities for themselves, their families, their employees, and our neighborhoods. Yet entrepreneurs who are people of color, women, and immigrants often struggle to secure capital and resources, as they are systematically shut out from traditional financing.
Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) is an unparalleled financial support system that provides these small business owners with access to capital, networks, and coaching. We work to build inclusive and accessible options for these determined business owners. For 30 years we have served a client base that is nearly 80% women, people of color, or immigrants.
In addition to providing resources and loans to small businesses, we also conduct original research, advocate for policy changes, and finance community construction projects in low-income neighborhoods through our New Markets Tax Credit program.
Together, we are building a diverse, vibrant community where opportunity, knowledge, and access to capital are within reach.
For more information about us, visit https://aofund.org/
ROLE SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Sr. Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, the Grant Writer is responsible for the execution of grant-related activities for AOF, including grant research, writing, prospecting, data collection, compliance, reporting and analysis. Essential functions of this position include gathering and synthesizing data from multiple sources and writing successful grant proposals and reports, as well as ensuring compliance with grant agreements and reporting requirements. The position will collaborate with members of the development team on institutional fundraising and grant management strategies and processes.
The ideal candidate will have experience researching and writing compelling narratives under tight deadlines for diverse audiences and communicating organizational impact through storytelling. We are seeking an individual that is growth-minded and strategic, with an ability to discover new funding opportunities.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Grant Writing and Grant Coordination
- Research, write and submit compelling grant proposals and reports, including supporting budgets, and any required attachments and data. Provide detailed information, including both qualitative information and quantitative data, on AOF’s efforts and impact.
- Help manage grants, reporting, pipeline, and status updates. Track restricted grants, and make sure funding is in line with programmatic objectives.
- Liaise with program staff and other departments to develop solid understanding and narratives of organization’s programs, initiatives, and history.
- Keep fundraising narratives and grant boilerplate language updated.
- Work with fundraisers, finance team and program staff to formulate budgets for proposals and review financials for reports.
- Work with data and analytics team to secure and analyze impact data for reporting and narrative development.
- Support preparation of narrative and documentation for government grants, including the annual CDFI grant application.
- Contribute to institutional reporting and planning by providing compliance updates and consolidated status reports to senior management on a regular basis.
- Help maintain accurate Salesforce database of grant records, funding sources, priority areas, and deadlines.
- Produce timely communication and briefings related to institutional funders, track reporting deadlines and deliverables, and ensure timely reporting to funders.
- Ensure the accuracy of program data, particularly as it relates to external communication.
Team Support
- Help identify prospects and help prioritize new grant opportunities in line with departmental needs.
- Collect and maintain up-to-date research on potential grant-making organizations and grant/contract opportunities; determine and assess eligibility criteria and deadlines.
- Provide accurate impact data to members of the Development team and funders in proposals and reports.
- Provide support as needed to development team staff in preparation for meetings with partners and prospects, or board meetings and conferences.
- Assist with stewardship tactics, and ensure funders are properly acknowledged on public and private platforms per their giving preferences (including annual report, social media mentions, event sponsorships, etc).
MUST HAVES:
- A minimum of four (4) years professional experience working in non-profit grant writing, preferably within economic development.
- Bachelor’s Degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Finance or Business, Political Science or Public Administration preferred, but relevant experience and/or other training/certification may be substituted.
- Experience with grant-based project implementation.
- Track record of writing compelling and persuasive grants that secure at least six-figure investments.
- Skilled in organizing resources and workload, using good judgment to establish priorities while working in a deadline-oriented environment.
- Demonstrated ability to identify problems, participate in discussions and develop/recommend solutions.
- Ability to work independently, as well as strong collaboration and relationship building skills.
- Demonstrable experience with grant outcome reporting.
- Intermediate Excel skills.
- Commitment to community development and the organization’s mission of empowering under-invested small business owners.
- Energetic, positive attitude, adaptable, and a good sense of humor.
NICE TO HAVES:
- Experience in fundraising for economic development, financial health and/or Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
- Solid understanding of non-profit administrative, financial management and operational processes.
- Experience with CRM tools such as Salesforce
PERKS AND BENEFITS:
Our mission is what motivates us to come to work each day. We know that happy employees are productive employees, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- An environment that values work-life balance and monthly remote work reimbursements.
- 100% company-funded Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability coverage for employees (Based upon your plan selection). 90% company-funded dependent coverage (Based upon your plan selection) as well as Flexible Spending Accounts.
- Voluntary benefits with payroll deduction for Supplemental Life & AD&D insurance and legal plans.
- Tax deferred & Roth 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match.
- Unlimited vacation days, 12 paid holidays, 1 floating holiday, 10 Sick days, and paid parental leave.
We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion at Accion Opportunity Fund. AOF does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Salary Range*: $64,956 - $83,603
*Please note that the above salary range is a national range, and compensation is dependent upon the candidate’s experience and skill level.
