Contract Nonprofit Outreach Specialist

Proper Southern Strategies (PSS) is a woman-owned firm headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas that provides an array of services, such as strategic advice, grantee support, subject-matter expertise, and customized technical assistance.

Proper Southern Strategies is seeking a skilled, motivated, and entrepreneurial individual to serve as the Nonprofit Outreach Specialist under the Connection Hub project. This position will focus on outreach to nonprofit organizations in Arkansas that are in need of grant writing assistance from the Connection Hub. The Nonprofit Outreach Specialist will be responsible for building a diverse pipeline of nonprofit organizations that fit the Connection Hub’s target client profile to ensure robust participation in multiple grant writing cohorts per year.

The Nonprofit Outreach Specialist will work closely with the Chief Technical Assistance Officer and will report to the Hub Coordinator.

Deliverables & Services

The contractor that will serve as a PSS’s Nonprofit Outreach Specialist is specifically responsible for the following deliverables: 

• Study and familiarize yourself with each federal grant NOFA the Connection Hub chooses to pursue and develop a profile for the types of nonprofit organizations that are likely to be a fit.
• Conduct research (online, via networking, via databases, etc.) to identify potential clients who fit the profile for Hub cohorts.
• Partner with the Hub Coordinator to develop and distribute marketing materials to eligible nonprofit organizations.
• Partner with the Hub’s Core Leadership Team to maintain a database of Arkansas nonprofits and their potential eligibility for federal grant applications, with an emphasis on under-resourced communities.
• Conduct 1:1 outreach (by phone, email, etc.) to potential Hub clients to assess their current skills, capacities, and programs.
• Prioritize equitable outreach strategies to make the Hub accessible to organizations headquartered in all geographic areas of Arkansas and led by people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, and abilities/disabilities. The Hub is particularly interested in serving organizations that have not historically had access to federal grant funding.
• As needed, visit nonprofit associations and attend meetings on behalf of the Connection Hub to speak about the Hub’s services and recruit potential clients.
• As needed, meet with potential clients who were not selected for cohorts to coach them on skills and capacity building and navigate them to other resources.
• Maintain positive working relationships with current and potential Hub clients, key points of contact, and other technical assistance providers.
• Must disclose any potential conflicts of interest with other Proper Southern Strategies clients.
• Sign a confidentiality agreement.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a relevant field.
• Ability to be flexible and responsive when federal grant opportunities arise.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Experience working in the nonprofit sector in Arkansas. 
• Experience with grant writing and/or nonprofit capacity building. 
• Ability to meet with nonprofit organizations, occasionally in person, during the workday (8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT). 
• Ability to work with nonprofits of various sizes and sophistication. 
• Strong written and verbal communication. 
• Excellent networking and relationship building skills. 
• Comfort with cold-calling/proactive outreach. 
• Strong experience with and understanding of NOFAs.
• Ability to devote approximately 25 hours per month for up to 12 months.
• Fully vaccinated and able to show evidence as such.

Preferred Background & Skills

• Federal and state grant experience.
• Background in the nonprofit and/or government sector(s).

Location for Work & Term

The Nonprofit Outreach Specialist will primarily work remotely. Candidates must reside within the United States, preferably in the Central Standard Time Zone. Preference will be given to candidates located in Arkansas.

Compensation

This position will require approximately 25 hours per month on average for up to 12 months, dependent upon available federal grant opportunities. Some months will require minimal engagement, while others may be busier. Hourly rate will be based on experience and qualifications.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their resume, a statement of interest, and proposed hourly rate to Sarah Ridgeway, sarah@propersouthernstrategies.com. Please reference the position title in the subject line of the email. Candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.