Grant Writer

GRANT WRITER

About Us

Arts for Learning Maryland (formerly Young Audiences of Maryland) is devoted to enriching the lives and education of Maryland’s youth through educational and culturally diverse arts programs. Through Arts for Learning, professional teaching artists from all disciplines partner with educators, schools, and school districts to provide—on average—over 300,000 hours of learning in, through, and about the arts to more than 165,000 Maryland students annually.

Arts for Learning is a mission-driven organization that values community, innovation, and passion. The staff, board, and teaching artists have a shared commitment to advance equity in the field of education by working tirelessly to generate opportunities for students to imagine, create, and realize their full potential through the arts.

Job Description:

The Grant Writer is a full-time, non-exempt position that will play a crucial role on Arts for Learning’s development team. This individual should enjoy writing, and will create engaging, well-organized proposals to encourage both new and past donors to support the work of Arts for Learning Maryland. The Grant Writer will coordinate with staff across Arts for Learning to gather information and build a strong case for support with a variety of potential funders. They will also build relationships with potential funders, gaining an understanding of their interests and alignment with the organization. The Grant Writer reports to the Development Director and will, on occasion, work with grant consultants to complete assigned work.

Responsibilities Include:

• Write, edit, and submit grant proposals and reports:
• Ensure on-time submission of all assigned grant proposals, LOIs (letters of intent and/or inquiry), and reports.
• Ensure that all proposals align with the funder’s area of interest and meet all funder requirements.
• Communicate regularly and in a timely fashion with staff outside of the Development department, including Program teams, Education, Communication, and the President & CEO, in order to capture data and other information needed for proposals and reports.
• Maintain and build strong relationships with institutional funders and prospective funders by:
• Coordinating, supporting, and attending phone calls, site visits, and meetings; and
• Following up on declined grant proposals to learn more and identify areas for improvement.
• Tracking and reporting back on progress to goals for foundation, corporate, and government giving.
• Research potential new foundation, corporate, and government funders.
• Collaborate with the Development Director and Chief of Engagement to identify which prospects to apply to.
• In collaboration with the Gift and Events Coordinator and Development Director:
• Maintain accurate electronic database records and files on all organizational funders.
• As needed, support the Development Director with maintenance of the grants calendar to ensure accurate recording of due dates for all institutional giving activities.
• Participate in Development department activities. Such activities may include weekly department meetings and weekly check-ins with your supervisor, as well as external fundraising events.
• Participate in organization-wide activities. Such activities may include monthly staff meetings, annual staff retreats, and full-staff training.

Qualifications:

While no one candidate will possess every quality outlined for this position, the successful candidate will hold many of the following professional qualifications and personal attributes. If you are excited about this role, and hold some of these attributes, we encourage you to apply!

• Outstanding writing skills.
• Strong organization and time-management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Consistent ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to manage up and sideways, or to work with both peers and leaders to gather the information you need. You are able to get the information you need, and build strong relationships while doing it.
• A commitment to racial equity and Community Centric Fundraising You are excited to examine and reimagine systems and practices, including traditional best practices in philanthropy, to advance equity and liberation.
• Ability to adapt and respond productively to unanticipated challenges.
• Experience with fundraising, ideally with grant writing and database experience.
• Experience and skill with computer-based word processing and database management, including experience with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. Experience with Salesforce, Bloomerang, Asana, and/or Microsoft Publisher is a plus.

Who you are:

• You enjoy writing and are a creative problem solver.
• You are passionate about joining a collegial, community-oriented development team.
• You
• are interested in joining an organization that is committed to equity,
• inclusion, and justice, both in our workplace and program delivery.
• You appreciate feedback and growth.
• You take initiative and suggest changes when you see something that needs improvement.

Compensation:

We offer a starting annual salary of $60,000 and an attractive benefits package which includes medical, dental, and vision health care coverage, retirement contributions, paid sick leave, and vacation time.

Work Environment:

Arts for Learning currently operates as a hybrid organization. The core business hours at A4L are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Full-time employees are expected to work their regularly scheduled hours. The hours are flexible based on client activity, work volume, and client and constituent location. Your supervisor will explain your work schedule and answer any specific questions. The grant writer is required to work in-person, in-office, twice a week. Days differ and align with an employee’s team.

To Apply:

For consideration, please apply on our website at artsforlearningmd.org. Please do not send applications that include headshots or photos of yourself. No phone calls or recruiters, please. All employees will be subject to a federal and state background check in accordance with state and federal law.

Arts for Learning Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to cultivating a diverse workforce and equitable workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, veteran status, and disability. All qualified applications will be given equal opportunity.

For consideration, please apply on our website at artsforlearningmd.org. Please do not send applications that include headshots or photos of yourself. No phone calls or recruiters, please. All employees will be subject to a federal and state background check in accordance with state and federal law.