Grant Research & Writing Specialist (Volunteer)

About Southwest Florida Sea Turtle Rescue

Southwest Florida Sea Turtle Rescue (SWFLSTR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, conservation, and public education. Founded in 2025, our organization is working toward establishing a dedicated sea turtle rehabilitation facility serving Southwest Florida.

As we continue expanding our programs and community partnerships, securing grant funding is an important part of building the resources needed to support our mission and long-term goals.

About the Opportunity

We're seeking an experienced Grant Research & Writing Specialist to help identify and pursue funding opportunities that align with SWFLSTR's mission and organizational priorities.

This volunteer will work closely with our Founder and Executive Director to research grant opportunities, evaluate eligibility requirements, develop compelling proposals, and support the grant application process.

SWFLSTR has already begun building an active grant portfolio, and we're looking for someone who can help strengthen and expand these efforts. We're especially interested in someone who understands nonprofit grant funding, has experience writing successful proposals, and can independently manage research and application preparation.

This is an opportunity to apply your professional skills toward meaningful wildlife conservation efforts while helping a growing nonprofit build the financial foundation for its future.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify grant opportunities from private foundations, corporate giving programs, community foundations, and other funding sources.
• Evaluate grant eligibility, funding priorities, application requirements, and deadlines.
• Prioritize funding opportunities based on their alignment with SWFLSTR's mission, programs, and organizational needs.
• Draft grant proposals, letters of inquiry, project narratives, and supporting application materials.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership to develop project descriptions, goals, measurable outcomes, and grant budgets.
• Maintain and update a grant tracking system with deadlines, application statuses, reporting requirements, and funding decisions.
• Assist with preparing supporting documents and organizing materials needed for grant submissions.
• Help identify opportunities for general operating support, organizational capacity building, conservation initiatives, and long-term facility development.
• Support grant reporting and documentation requirements for awarded funding.
• Recommend improvements to SWFLSTR's grant-seeking strategy and proposal development process.

Qualifications

We're especially interested in individuals with previous professional or substantial volunteer experience in nonprofit grant research, proposal writing, or grant management.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Demonstrated experience researching and writing grant proposals.
• Familiarity with private foundations, corporate giving programs, and nonprofit grant application processes.
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills.
• Experience developing clear project narratives, objectives, and measurable outcomes.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to independently research opportunities and manage multiple deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with organizational leadership.
• Familiarity with grant budgets, reporting requirements, and funding restrictions.
• An interest in wildlife conservation, environmental protection, or nonprofit development.

Experience securing grants for small or emerging nonprofits is especially valuable. Familiarity with environmental or conservation funding is a plus but not required.

Time Commitment & Location

We anticipate approximately 3–5 hours per week, with flexibility depending on upcoming grant deadlines and application requirements.

This is a hybrid volunteer position, with most research and writing completed remotely and occasional virtual or in-person meetings.

Preference will be given to applicants residing in Sarasota, Charlotte, or Lee County, Florida.

We're seeking someone interested in making an ongoing contribution to the organization, ideally for at least six months.

Why Volunteer With SWFLSTR?

Southwest Florida Sea Turtle Rescue is building toward an ambitious long-term goal: establishing a dedicated sea turtle rehabilitation facility serving Southwest Florida.

Achieving that goal requires a strong financial foundation, and grants are an important part of supporting our current conservation efforts while preparing for future growth.

As our Grant Research & Writing Specialist, you'll help identify resources that can make these efforts possible. Your work will contribute directly to the organization's ability to expand its programs, strengthen its operations, and pursue long-term rehabilitation capacity.

Help us secure the resources needed to protect Southwest Florida's sea turtles.

Protecting Today. Building for Tomorrow.