Grant Writer for National Environmental Advocacy Organization

CIMA Consulting is a small firm in Charlottesville, VA, providing clients with strategic insight and support through institutional fundraising (grant writing) and a range of other deliverables. Our team works on behalf of nonprofit organizations across the country, furthering their organizational capacity via fundraising, business development, and organizational design. Candidates with varying levels of experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered equally.

About the Consultant Role

We are currently hiring a full-time, 40-hour per week consultant to contribute immediately as a grant writer for a national environmental advocacy organization in close collaboration with a team of other CIMA consultants.

Primary responsibilities:

• Managing institutional grants for a portfolio of the client’s programs. This includes:
  • Providing top-tier client and project management, becoming a trusted strategic partner for our clients’ senior staff.
  • Writing compelling narratives for letters of inquiry, proposals, and other collateral; working with clients to understand their organization and desired voice.
  • Identifying funding opportunities through online research, phone calls, and email follow-up.
  • Cultivating and stewarding strong funder relationships through outreach and supporting client meetings with institutional funders to enhance partnership opportunities.
  • Ensuring CIMA meets goals and client expectations through careful internal tracking of progress, application deadlines, and reporting requirements.
  • Collaborating closely with other members of the client team.

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least two years’ of experience in grant writing. For this position, we will prioritize experience with grants from private foundations and public charities, over grants from government and/or corporate sources.
• Additional experience with individual giving (e.g., major gifts, membership, legacy, etc.), development operations, board/organizational development, and/or other development functions is a bonus.
• A demonstrated familiarity with and/or knowledge of nonprofit environmental advocacy strategies (i.e., litigation, legislation, rulemaking, and grassroots power-building).
• Proven success in a client-facing project or account management role, and/or a track record of relationship building and accountability.
• Proven ability to organize and synthesize large amounts of information into compelling written collateral on deadline.
• Experience using standard office software/platforms (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CRMs, etc).

Qualities we consider essential for CIMA team members:

• Extremely organized and self-motivated, able to prioritize multiple deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills (communication and relationship building)
• Willing to collaborate, take direction and ask thoughtful questions, then work independently to complete tasks
• Keen writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, intellectual environment, with the feel of a start-up; willingness to listen, collaborate, and seize opportunities for growth
• Flexibility and dedication
• An understanding and appreciation of DEI principles

Our company is primarily based in Charlottesville and surrounding areas with a hybrid, flexible-work schedule. However, this client team is fully remote and we will consider qualified candidates based anywhere in the US.

Position Details:

Working Title: Development Consultant

Salary Range: $65,000-$78,797

Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision, Short-Term Disability, 401k, Profit Share, Flexible PTO, WFH/PD Stipend

Exemption Status: Exempt

Remote Work Available: Yes.

Full-time / 40 hours/week

If we sound like the right place for you, we want to hear from you. There is no ‘perfect’ candidate. Everyone brings something different to the team and those differences make us better.

Our goal is to be a company that is representative of the people that we and our nonprofit clients serve. We encourage all interested applicants to apply, including but not limited to members of the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), and individuals with disabilities. CIMA does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or military status.

To Apply:

A resume and cover letter detailing your qualifications and experience are required for consideration. In your letter, address the aspects of the job description and ideal characteristics that stand out to you. Only applications submitted through Idealist will be considered. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered. We look forward to hearing from you!

Medical/Dental/Vision, Short-Term Disability, 401k, Profit Share, Flexible PTO, WFH/PD Stipend