Grants Writer

About PLN 

Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños provides education and wraparound support, serving over 10,000 children, youth, and families annually in some of the most underserved areas in Los Angeles. PLN fosters pathways to success by striving for excellence in education, family support, and comprehensive social-emotional, and community-based services. 

Through early education, TK-8th grade education, youth workforce services, and family and community services Para Los-Niño’s’ model provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to break the cycle of poverty and help children and youth thrive. 

Position Overview 

As a member of the external affairs team, the Grant Writer (writer) will play a critical role in the identification, solicitation, and stewardship of institutional grants. The Writer will interact with PLN funders, stakeholders, and staff to write grant applications and reports; record funding opportunities and requirements; and maintain external and internal relationships as an ambassador of PLN.

The Writer will report directly to the Director of Grants Partnerships and collaborate closely with the Grants and Stewardship Coordinator, Managing Director of External Affairs, and Vice President of External Affairs. In addition, the Writer will interact regularly with PLN program and fiscal leaders.

Duties:

Grants Management (90%)

• Strategize, conceptualize, write, and submit letters of interest and grant proposals as directed.
• Work with the Director of Grants Partnerships as well as program, finance, data and evaluations, operations and human resources teams to ensure suitable proposal design and budget.
• Support the Director of Grants Partnerships with local and federal government grant proposals and reports.
• Collaborate with the finance team, data and evaluations team, and program staff to prepare and submit grant reports.
• Conduct prospect research, recording prospects in SharePoint and Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Maintain a database of institutional grant opportunities and deadlines in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with institutional contacts and program officers.
• Develop and maintain boilerplate language, including descriptions of PLN programs and answers to frequently asked questions, for use in grant proposals and reports.
• Help maintain a directory of active grants for program and fiscal staff.
• Support the Director of Grants Partnerships with administrative tasks.
• Contribute to the improvement of grants management best practices and processes.

Donor Stewardship (10%)

• Enter constituents and opportunities in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Support the Director of Development, Managing Director of External Affairs, and Vice President of External Affairs as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics 

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent years of education, training, and work experience.
• At least 4 years of substantial experience in grant writing or another writing field.
• Familiarity with the philanthropic and nonprofit landscape of Los Angeles, particularly organizations supporting education and social services.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience using Blackbaud Raisers Edge NXT, iWave, and Guidestar.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• English proficiency supporting professional-level verbal and written communication to children, parents and other staff members required.
• Passion for PLN’s mission and programs.
• Successfully pass all post offer, pre-employment screening requirements, including criminal background check, drug test and provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States. 
• TB clearance, to be renewed every two years.
• Must have a reliable means of transportation to attend in-person meetings, trainings, conferences, etc., as required.

Physical Requirements  

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily.   

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.    

• Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend.  
• Must be able to speak and hear well.    
• Good vision is imperative.    
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.    
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance. 
• TB test clearance to be renewed every two years.  
• Verification of Immunizations required by the California Department of Health (Pertussis, Measles and Influenza).

This job description does not encompass all essential functions and responsibilities. Para Los Niños reserves the right to modify or add to the typical duties of a position at any time.

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff  

Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:  

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.  
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.  
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.  
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.  
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.  
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.  
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.  
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with families and children informed by the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.  
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.  
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.  
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.  

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer    

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.