Friends of the Children is a nonprofit that is breaking cycles of systemic racism, trauma, and generational poverty. We work with children facing the most obstacles, supporting them as they build empowerment and skills to achieve their dreams. We do this by pairing them with a paid, professional mentor, who we call a “Friend,” from kindergarten through high school graduation, 12 ½ years – no matter what.
We are currently seeking a skilled professional Tribal Grant Writer to join our National Grants Team. This is a contract role with opportunities for contract-to-hire if mutually agreed upon.
The Contract Tribal Grant Writer will be a passionate and experienced advocate for Indigenous communities, children, and families most impacted by systemic inequities and harmful socio-environmental patterns of poverty, discrimination, and marginalization. The ideal candidate will be effective at amplifying the stories and voices of the children we serve, honoring the cultural values of the Indigenous communities we work within, communicating the urgency of our mission, and celebrating the success of our outcomes. This role will enthusiastically support the National team’s efforts to secure multi-million-dollar funding annually through foundation, corporate and public grants with a specific focus on funding to support Indigenous-serving chapters. Through our Chapter Grants program, our team works closely with executive leadership across the country to strategically pursue grant funding in support of locally-led chapters and direct service to youth. This contract position is an integral part of our team, helping to create sustainable funding for our rapidly growing network and working towards our vision to make sure that every child who needs a Friends, has one. This role has the opportunity to evolve into a permanent full-time, salaried position with benefits if mutually desired.
The ideal candidate will have significant experience working in and with Indigenous communities, supporting Indigenous-serving organizations in advocacy, storytelling, and amplifying the voices of people served. This candidate will have at least five years of job-related experience in progressively responsible roles. Strong written and oral communication skills, relationship management skills, and a love of writing are a must. They will be passionate about understanding, supporting and promoting the organization’s mission and vision for growth. They will be equally skilled at strategically identifying and aligning the organization’s work with local, regional and national grant opportunities. They will enjoy building relationships with stakeholders, and managing detailed information regarding budgets, grant reporting, and funding prospects. Strong preference will be given to candidates with meaningful experience living and working in Indigenous communities.
Are you this amazing person? Here’s what we have to offer you:
Our work is powered by our belief in our values. We put children first; build relationships on love; commit to empowerment; pursue goals relentlessly; and demand equity. As a member of the Friends of the Children National team, the Tribal Grant Writer will support our growing Friends of the Children network, which consists of thirty-four locations. This talented team is relentlessly focused on supporting our award-winning national scaling plan and dedicated to our mission to serve children across the country
Friends of the Children is committed to the communities we serve, to equal employment opportunity, and to diversity in our workplace. We are fiercely committed to equity and will ensure that every aspect of the organization’s mission is executed with full engagement of the communities impacted by our work.
Our contract work offers a flexible schedule and workload; contract hours typically range from 5 to 20 hours per week or more, subject to negotiation. This role will allow you to work remotely from your home, anywhere in the country. You will be supported by an abundance of grants resources, data, and content, as well as a talented grants team of seven full-time employees, including other writers, directors, and leadership.
Curious to learn more? See the position details below.
Basic Function / Position Objective:
The Contract Tribal Grant Writer is responsible for applying a high level of technical and creative writing skill to proposals to foundations, family foundations, and corporations, and public funding partners for the purpose of soliciting funds. Additionally, the Tribal Grant Writer will apply their strong understanding of Indigenous cultural values, experiences, histories, and traditions to draft grant proposal narratives that advocate for Indigenous youth and families through an authentic voice. This role will lead the development of written project content and budgets for prospective expansion sites’ and chapters’ grants, in particular those serving Indigenous communities. This role requires the ability to professionally manage and build cross-cultural relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The Contract Grant Writer works as a part of a dynamic Grants Team. The person in this role must feel a strong connection to and promote the organization’s mission, vision, values and principles, and uphold the professionalism of the organization at all times. The Contract Tribal Grant Writer reports to the National Grants Specialist.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Write grant proposals, fundraising-related writing projects, and reports on a timely basis as outlined on the organizational grant calendar. Ensure that grant proposals are compelling and strategic, and align with the funder’s interests and the funding opportunity.
- Develop grant content and budgets, and prepare grant packets for submission.
- Collaborate with national team, existing and prospective chapter leaders, to develop narrative content and budgets for proposals falling within assigned program focus areas, particularly for chapters serving Indigenous communities.
- Provide support to Indigenous-serving chapters, helping them to build their case for support and grow their grants revenue. Consult with Grants Team and chapters on grants strategy, content development, and prospect research as needed.
- Provide subject matter expertise on tribal histories, treaties, sovereignty, self-governance, protocols, customs and traditions, and Indigenous cultural resources to Friends of the Children staff. Apply subject matter knowledge to grants content.
- Maintain clear and accurate written and electronic records of grant proposals, reports, and submission confirmations, including grant activity tracking in shared drives and databases.
- Support the team in maintaining current and accurate grants calendars including tracking deliverables, due dates, and project information that supports the timely completion of projects. Keep relevant staff informed about upcoming deadlines and deliverables, thereby ensuring smooth coordination of responsibilities.
- Assist in research and identification of grants appropriate to Friends of the Children.
- Maintain confidential information in a sensitive and appropriate manner.
- Special projects as assigned in support of organizational objectives.
Required Education, Experience & Abilities
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
- A minimum of five years of grant-writing experience, including collaboration with program management and finance to develop content and budgets.
- Experience living in and working with Indigenous communities, or experience working with Sovereign tribal Nations or programs supporting Indigenous communities.
- Demonstrated success in obtaining grant driven funding from foundations, corporations and/or public funding sources.
- Significance experience and expertise in Indigenous culture, specifically tribal histories, treaties, sovereignty, self-governance, protocols, customs and traditions, and Indigenous cultural resources.
- Ability to analyze and synthesize information for writing grant proposals, letters, articles, etc.
- Exceptional ability to edit written materials accurately and consistently, including own work.
- Exceptional analytical as well as intuitive abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills resulting in compelling messaging, as well as strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
- Strong organizational and time management skills. Able to plan, organize, and complete multiple grant proposals and/or reports and follow-up as required. Proven track record of meeting deadlines.
- Excellent attention to detail, strong computer skills, and general understanding of financial principles.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, and effectively solve problems.
- Ability to cultivate and sustain relationships and work effectively with National staff as well as leadership and development staff from chapters.
- Ability to represent, effectively and professionally, the organization to a wide variety of audiences.
- Willing to be flexible, with the ability to work evenings and weekends on occasion, for fundraising activities.
- Ability to work from home and build relationships with team members virtually.
- Strong preference will be given to candidates with meaningful experience living and working in Indigenous communities.
Compensation:
Contract Rate/Part Time: 5-20 hours/week ($40-$60 hourly) – depending on experience and location.
This position offers the opportunity for contract-to-hire for a permanent full-time, salaried position with benefits, if mutually agreed upon and depending on satisfactory delivery of contract work. The annual salary range for full-time employee grant writers is $68,000 – $78,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
Location
- Remote/Virtual
Applications without cover letters will not be considered; please use this as an opportunity to show us your writing skills and convey why you want to be a Tribal Grant Writer at Friends of the Children!
Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how “One” changes a child’s story: One Friend. One Child. 12+ years.
