Grant Writer

Job Title: Contract Grant Writer

Reports To: Development Manager

Location: Remote (U.S. based)

Compensation: Competitive hourly rate or per-project fee (based on experience)

Since 1991, FAMM has helped secure some of the most important sentencing reforms at the federal and state level, including the federal First Step Act of 2018, as well as efforts to repeal or reform drug mandatory minimum sentences in Michigan, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, California and Iowa. The defining characteristic of FAMM’s advocacy remains its emphasis on the human cost of counterproductive sentencing and prison policies. For more than three decades FAMM has shared the stories of families and individuals directly affected by these policies and advocated for more cost-efficient and humane approaches to protecting public safety.

Job Summary

In support of this work, FAMM is seeking a skilled Contract Grant Writer with experience in criminal justice, public policy, or social justice initiatives. The role will be instrumental in securing funding to expand our impact, sustain core programs, and launch new reform efforts. The ideal candidate is both a strong writer and a strategic thinker who understands how to align funder priorities with meaningful reform work.

Essential Functions & Key Responsibilities

1. Grant Proposal Research, Drafting, and Support:

• Research available grants on an ongoing basis to identify new funding streams to support FAMM’s work from foundations, corporations, and other agencies. Prospect research reports identifying mission-aligned funders. Forecast probability of success and collaborate in discerning high quality prospects.
• Develop high quality, compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry (LOIs), concept notes, and progress reports aligned with FAMM’s priorities on criminal justice reform.
• Assist in tracking grant compliance and deliverables.
• Translate complex justice system and civic issues into accessible, persuasive narratives.

1. Database Management:

• Assist in managing grants and grant management plans in EveryAction, including updating ask amounts, setting deadlines for grant reports, inputting target ask dates, and uploading all grant proposals and agreements.
• Assist in creating and/or maintaining a grant calendar with deadlines for relevant team members.
• Ensure that grant information is up-to-date in EveryAction and inform key staff of next steps.

1. Cross-collaboration:

• Collaborate closely with the Development Manager, Vice President of External Relations, President, and all relevant staff necessary to manage grant applications and grant compliance, as well as position FAMM for greater impact.
• Coordinate with financial personnel to develop accurate, compliant proposal budgets.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Philanthropy, Communications, Philanthropic Studies, Nonprofit Management, Business Management, Business Administration, or a field closely related to grant writing, or equivalent degree or experience.
• Five (5) years plus of proven experience in grant writing.
• A successful track record of attaining small, medium, and large grant awards.

Competencies:

• Ability to research and identify realistic and achievable funding prospects.
• Ability to write persuasively and technically, including regarding the stories of people impacted by the criminal justice system.
• Grants and major donor coordination experience, with a preference for knowledge of Grants and Moves Management tools in donor databases.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Cognizant of financial management and budgeting within a non-profit setting.
• Excellent multitasking skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively across different areas and adapt to unfamiliar tasks and environments.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• (Preferred) Passion for advancing criminal justice reform.

Contract Details

• Flexible, project-based schedule
• Initial contract term: 3-6 months, with potential for extension
• Fully remote with occasional virtual meetings