DanceSafe Contract Grant Writer

About DanceSafe

Founded in 1998 in San Francisco, CA, DanceSafe emerged from a recognized need within the rave community for better access to drug checking and drug education. Since its inception, DanceSafe has been at the forefront of harm reduction efforts within the electronic music and nightlife communities.

Today, our mission has expanded to promote health, safety, and fulfilling experiences for people who use drugs and their communities. We believe in harm reduction as a pragmatic approach to reducing the risks and enhancing the benefits associated with drug use and other health behaviors, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

Central to our work are our values of authenticity, cultivating community, curiosity, collaborative service, and popular education. These values guide everything we do, from our outreach efforts to our organizational culture.

Work Summary

DanceSafe is seeking a skilled and purpose-driven grant writer to secure funding to support our harm reduction initiatives and organizational growth. As a grant writer, you will play a crucial role in identifying, pursuing, and managing grant opportunities that align with our mission and programs.

The ideal candidate will combine excellent writing skills with a deep understanding of harm reduction principles and the ability to effectively communicate DanceSafe's impact to potential funders. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in securing grants for nonprofits, particularly in public health and harm reduction. This position will work closely with the leadership team to develop compelling proposals that translate our innovative approaches into fundable projects. This role involves researching funding opportunities, crafting compelling proposals, and managing the grant application process to secure funding that advances DanceSafe's mission.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

The Grant Writer contractor will be expected to deliver the following:

Grant Research and Strategy

• Research and identify grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, government agencies, and other sources that align with DanceSafe's mission, programs, and funding priorities on a rolling basis
• Develop and maintain a grants calendar to track application and renewal deadlines, as well as reporting requirements
• Collaborate with leadership to develop a comprehensive grant strategy that supports organizational goals and program expansion
• Stay informed about trends in harm reduction funding and public health grant opportunities

Proposal Development

• Write compelling, well-researched, polished, and funder-tailored grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and related materials
• Gather necessary information from program staff as needed to develop strong narratives that effectively communicate our impact
• Develop project budgets in collaboration with DanceSafe staff
• Customize proposals to address specific funder requirements and priorities
• Ensure all application materials are complete, accurate, and submitted on time

Grant Administration

• Track grant deliverables and coordinate with program staff to ensure compliance
• Prepare grant reports and communicate outcomes to funders
• Deliver well organized and accessible grant files and documentation
• Track grant-related metrics and outcomes to support future applications

Qualifications Required

• 3+ years of experience in grant writing with demonstrated success in securing funding
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• Experience researching funding opportunities and developing funding strategies
• Strong understanding of grant application processes and funder requirements
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities
• Ability to translate complex programs and concepts into clear, compelling narratives
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across teams
• Commitment to harm reduction philosophy and approaches
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously
• Proficiency in Airtable, Google Suite, Slack, and similar relevant software, with ability to train quickly in similar software suites

Preferred

• Experience with public health, substance use, or social justice grant writing
• Knowledge of drug culture, drug policy, and harm reduction principles
• Familiarity with nightlife communities and festival culture
• Background in nonprofit development or fundraising
• Existing relationships with foundations that fund harm reduction initiatives

Application Deadline: Monday, June 30, 2025, 5pm PT/8pm ET

If you have any questions, please reach out to applicants@dancesafe.org and include "Grant Writer" in the subject.