Grant Writing for grassroot non-profit

About I.A.M.U

Independent Achievements for Minority Youth (I.A.M.U) is a BIPOC-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Tacoma, Washington. Founded in 2015 and incorporated in 2024, we serve youth and young adults ages 8 to 24 across King, Pierce, and Thurston Counties who have been impacted by trauma, gang involvement, the justice system, homelessness, trafficking, and educational barriers.

Our programs include reentry support, one-on-one mentorship, financial literacy education, family advocacy, and wraparound services. We have served 72 families during the holidays and supported more than 125 youth through back-to-school events. We are growing rapidly and building the infrastructure to match the depth of our impact.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a skilled volunteer Grant Writer to help us secure funding from foundations, government sources, and corporate giving programs. This is a meaningful opportunity to put your writing skills directly in service of youth whose futures depend on organizations like ours having the resources to show up for them.

You will work closely with our Executive Director to research funding opportunities, craft compelling narratives, and submit strong applications aligned with our mission and program outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify grant opportunities aligned with I.A.M.U's mission, programs, and eligibility criteria (open-application grants accessible to organizations under two years old)
• Write and edit compelling Letters of Intent (LOIs), full grant proposals, and funder reports
• Translate our program outcomes, youth stories, and community data into persuasive narrative for diverse funders
• Maintain a grant calendar to track deadlines, submission status, and reporting requirements
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to gather program information, budgets, and supporting documentation
• Flag eligibility issues, inconsistencies, or concerns before submission
• Support building and maintaining a reusable grant language library for I.A.M.U

Qualifications

• Prior experience writing grants or LOIs for nonprofit organizations (required)
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to write with both precision and emotional resonance
• Familiarity with foundation, government, or corporate grant processes
• Ability to understand and accurately represent program descriptions, budgets, and impact metrics
• Highly organized and reliable with the ability to meet deadlines independently
• Genuine commitment to racial equity, youth justice, and community-centered work
• Experience with reentry programs, juvenile justice, or BIPOC-serving organizations is a strong plus but not necessary

Time Commitment & Structure

• Estimated 5 to 10 hours per month, with flexibility based on active deadlines
• Fully remote with occasional virtual check-ins with the Executive Director
• Minimum commitment of 6 months preferred
• You will be supported with a grant strategy document, program materials, and existing application language to work from

What You Will Gain

• A direct, meaningful contribution to the lives of youth in the Puget Sound region
• Close collaboration with a founder-led organization with deep community roots and a powerful mission
• Opportunity to build a portfolio of grant writing across diverse funder types
• A letter of recommendation upon request after a completed grant cycle

How to Apply

Submit your application through Idealist. Please include a brief note about your grant writing background and any experience with youth-serving or BIPOC-led organizations. Writing samples or prior grant submissions are welcome but not required at this stage.

• Questions? Reach us at iamucommunity.org or through the contact form on our website.