Grants Writer & Coordinator

About Appalachian Voices

Appalachian Voices is a nonprofit advocacy organization that brings people together to protect the land, air, and water of Central and Southern Appalachia and advance a just transition to a clean energy economy. We currently have over 40 staff members across the region, with offices located in Boone, NC; Charlottesville, VA; Norton, VA; and Knoxville, TN. 

Commitment to Equity

Appalachian Voices is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion both in our work and in our organizational structure. We seek applicants who share and exhibit these principles. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

We understand people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. We encourage candidates to review the position details and responsibilities listed. If you have the transferable skills necessary to fulfill many of the requirements of this role, we encourage you to apply. We may tailor the role to a talented or passionate candidate.

Position Details

Appalachian Voices is seeking a Grants Writer & Coordinator to join our fast-paced, dynamic team. This position may operate remotely from the Appalachian Region or be based in one of our offices. Travel to Charlottesville, Virginia and within the Appalachian region is required.

The candidate will work as part of a high-performing Advancement Team to support the administration of philanthropic grants as part of the organization’s growing institutional giving program. To be successful, the Grants Writer & Coordinator will use their strengths in communication, organization, and project management to coordinate and contribute to the organization’s portfolio of foundations and other institutional donors. 

This position will work under the supervision of the Advancement Manager, and in close coordination with the Director of Strategic Advancement, to support the institutional giving program throughout the grant lifecycle: from initial prospect identification & research, writing and submission, to stewardship and reporting. Previous grant writing experience is strongly preferred. 

Primary Roles & Responsibilities

Performing a variety of grants-management activities:

• Maintain a calendar to track deadlines and key dates, ensuring follow-through on substantive interactions with program officers/grantmakers;
• Liaise with the Director of Strategic Advancement and the Executive Assistant to ensure timely follow-up and/or periodic outreach to current and prospective funders;
• Develop and manage, in concert with the Advancement Manager, ambitious yet achievable submission timelines; 
• Submit proposals and reports into funder portals, uploading required attachments; 
• Process grant agreements and other forms, obtaining authorized signatures where necessary;
• Compile relevant documentation for project stakeholders; and
• Aid the Advancement Manager’s tracking of grant spending.

Supporting the Director of Strategic Advancement in the development of high-quality narratives, providing significant early contributions to the drafting process: 

• Develop and/or update internal document templates, ensuring deadlines and funder requirements or preferences are clear to all contributors; 
• Encourage timely and significant written updates from program staff, marshaling information about programs and other organizational activities from a variety of sources for use in early drafts; and
• Proofread narratives prior to submission, copy-editing and formatting when requested.

Developing the organization’s Institutional Giving portfolio across all stages: 

• Regularly review news and subscription services regarding open RFPs for philanthropic grants; 
• Gather news and information about philanthropic foundations, funds, or other institutions who may be aligned with Appalachian Voices’ mission and programmatic priorities; and
• Create and populate research templates, sharing high-level information upon request about prospective funders.

Working as a collaborative member of the broader Advancement, Communications, and Operations teams: 

• Partner with Advancement Operations & Data Specialist in notetaking and records management, assisting in the capture of communications with program officers/grantmakers in Salesforce;
• Share responsibilities of planning, leading, and note-taking for Advancement Team meetings;
• Assist in the development of annual fundraising goals and projections; and
• Maintain an accounting of Key Performance Indicators for the department’s institutional giving program.

Skills & Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent education and related work experience.
• At least three years of professional experience.
• Strong aptitude for administrative and financial processes.
• Exceptional attention to detail; a mastery of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability and interest to analyze, synthesize, and vet information from multiple sources.
• Strengths in project management and time management.
• Ability to work effectively and flexibly in a deadline-driven environment characterized by high levels of internal collaboration.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn a variety of platforms (G-Suite, Microsoft Office, Asana, CRMs/Salesforce) and working knowledge of standard office equipment.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule including occasional nights and weekends.

Compensation

This is a full-time, non-exempt position and is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit; specific terms and conditions of employment are subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

Appalachian Voices offers competitive compensation and benefits that include employer-paid health care, vision, and dental policies with options to include family members at a reduced cost; short- and long-term disability plans; generous paid vacation and parental leave; flexible working hours; and an employer-matched retirement plan.

Salary is commensurate with experience; however, the expected salary range is between $55,000-$70,000; candidates seeking the higher end of this range should be able to demonstrate a very strong background, experience, or other factors. We are open to feedback from the market and would welcome the opportunity to connect with candidates who may be outside of the compensation band. Appalachian Voices is committed to equity in pay practices.