Volunteer as a Development Manager (Grants & Fundraising)

Who Are We?

Raising a Scholar (RAS) is a youth-led international education nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable access to high-quality primary education for underserved students across the U.S., Zambia, Kenya, India, and beyond. We operate virtually with a global network of volunteers, offering academic tutoring, mentorship, digital literacy training, and solar-powered tech access to help students thrive academically and beyond. We believe every child, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, identity, or financial status, deserves a fair chance at learning.

Position Overview

Raising a Scholar is seeking a Development Manager with strong experience in grant writing, grant prospecting, and fundraising strategy. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a mission-driven environment, enjoys building sustainable funding pipelines, and is excited to help a growing nonprofit expand its impact globally.

The Development Manager will lead grant applications from start to finish, manage donor communication, support fundraising campaigns, and collaborate closely with the Executive Director and global program teams.

This is a part-time, remote position with flexible hours.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, identify, and evaluate new grant opportunities aligned with RAS programs and goals.
• Write, edit, and submit compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports.
• Develop and maintain a grants calendar to track deadlines, submissions, and reporting requirements.
• Manage donor stewardship, including thank-you messaging and updates.
• Support major fundraising campaigns (e.g., annual fundraisers, solar panel initiatives, community events).
• Collaborate with program coordinators to gather program data, student outcomes, and impact metrics needed for proposals.
• Maintain accurate records of donations, grant outcomes, and donor information.
• Assist with creating fundraising materials, including campaign narratives, pitch decks, and social media copy.

Qualifications

• At least 1–3 years of experience in grant writing or nonprofit development (volunteer or professional).
• Proven track record securing grants from foundations, corporations, or government agencies.
• Strong writing, research, and editing skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work independently.
• Comfortable collaborating with a global, virtual team.
• Bonus: Experience with fundraising strategy, CRM tools, or donor communication.

What We Offer

• Flexible remote work environment.
• Opportunity to shape strategy in a rapidly growing global nonprofit.
• Meaningful work directly impacting students’ educational opportunities.
• Professional development opportunities in fundraising, nonprofit leadership, and global education.

Compensation

This role is volunteer/unpaid at the start, as Raising a Scholar continues to build long-term funding streams. However, there is a possibility of a stipend for long-term team members as grants are secured and fundraising capacity grows. We deeply value the Development Manager’s expertise, and the position has the potential to transition into a stipend-supported or paid role over time.

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.*