Grant Writer

Job Title: Grant Writer

Reports To: Director of Development

Status: Exempt, Full-time (1.0FTE)

Work Location: Hybrid In-Person/Remote (2 days/week in office, minimum)

Position Summary: As the Grant Writer, you will be responsible for prospecting, researching, preparing, writing and submitting proposals and grant applications in support of the Urban Ecology Center’s strategic needs and priorities. Your primary focus will be to write proposals and applications for both private and public funding, research new grant opportunities, and submit timely and accurate reports for grant-funded programs and projects.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the research and identification of funding opportunities available from public (national, state, local), corporate and private sources.
• Own internal tracking systems (calendar of grant opportunities, chart of grants applied to, etc.) and report to ensure that all grant proposal and report deadlines are met. This includes identifying all requirements of the grant to ensure all necessary attachments are submitted on time.
• Oversee the development of, approach for and submission of grant proposals to foundations and other grant-making organizations when appropriate. Facilitate the grant development process (writing, assembly, submission) to support program and organizational funding in assigned portfolios, persuasively communicating the organization’s mission and programs to potential funders.

• In collaboration with the Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager, create compelling quarterly donor stewardship pieces.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the Urban Ecology Center’s programs and their strategic alignment with current and potential financial partnerships. Clearly communicate and articulate the program’s key characteristics, including programmatic and demographic information as necessary.
• Engage and partner with Center staff to gain and maintain strong knowledge of programs, events, projects, and new initiatives as well as evaluation methods and results
• Collaborate directly with the Finance and Impact Evaluator to provide oversight on tracking and management of grant outcomes. Collaborate with development staff to communicate with program staff and the Leadership Circle to effectively track and manage outcomes.
• Provide monthly reports and quarterly updates of progress and results with the Director of Development, the Executive Director, the Board of Directors and others as needed.
• Comply at all times with the high ethical standards applicable to a professional fundraiser.

TEAM AND SUPERVISION

• You will be a member of the Development team and will be managed by the Director of Development.
• Though all of our teams work together in some capacity, you will most frequently collaborate with the Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager and the Finance team.
• In this role, you may participate in circles and committees as your work requires or as your schedule and interests allow.
• All UEC team members should expect interaction with volunteers, members, and youth participants.

ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT

• All team members of the Urban Ecology Center work a minimum of 1-2 weekend or evening events each year. Our events are a great way to engage with our communities and see our mission in action; examples include Urban Candlelight Hike, Autumn Celebration, and HKE MKE. Some roles may have increased responsibility for event leadership.
• Most team members are asked to support our building hours by providing building coverage, which may include opening/closing the building, communicating with staff on-site, and welcoming visitors or guests. You may sign-up for an ongoing shift or provide backup support.

OUR EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE

• We nurture an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative workplace culture. Many of our staff serve on cross-departmental committees for internal and external events, employee engagement, our equity, dignity, and justice (EDJ) focus, and safety initiatives, to name a few.
• We host a 2-day all-staff retreat each fall, with quarterly all-staff meetings, regular department meetings, and ongoing communication in between. We make frequent use of Slack and utilize the Google platform for email and cloud computing.
• UEC staff work on-site a minimum of twice per week at one of our 3 branches, though many choose to work in person more frequently. Several of our roles do not have remote capabilities by the nature of their responsibilities.
• UEC staff are automatically members of the Urban Ecology Center with the ability to attend all events at a low or no cost. Children of staff members attend programming, including summer camps, at reduced rates.

• Full-time staff at the Urban Ecology Center are offered very competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance rates, a 3% 403(b) matching contribution, 24 days of PTO in year 1 (29 in year 2), 4 additional paid holidays, a UEC membership, and other great benefits.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

Skills and Abilities

• Effective Communicator: you can articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively using oral, written, visual, and non-verbal communication skills, as well as listening skills to gain understanding. You have the ability to deliver information in person, in writing, and in a digital world.
• Collaboration: You have a strong ability to collaborate and share responsibilities with peers while providing guidance on organizational processes.
• Growth Mindset: You have a demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and incorporating feedback; you are optimistic about future opportunities.
• Reliability and Agency: You build trust and exercise good judgment by meeting deadlines, delivering on commitments, prioritizing needs, and making considered and effective decisions.
• Adaptability: Ability to both function independently and collaborate well with others; Ability to assess and react to changing priorities and adjust workflow accordingly. You are motivated through change and by new opportunities.
• Project Management: you are able to turn ideas into action, setting priorities and deadlines while holding others accountable. You are a critical thinker and problem solver.
• Relationship Development: you have the ability to identify and initiate working relationships and to develop and maintain them in a way that is of mutual benefit to both yourself and others.
• Efficient: You have strong attention to detail, are self-motivated, and are able to multitask. You are able to prioritize your work based on importance and urgency.
• Strong cultural competency and commitment to equity, dignity, and justice.
• Affinity to the Urban Ecology Center’s mission, vision, and values.

Experience, Education, and Certifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Communications, English, Non-profit management, or other related) is recommended.
• You have a minimum of three years of experience working on a team or in a highly-collaborative role.
• You have a minimum of 3 years of experience with fundraising communications, grant writing, foundation relations, or other related work in a non-profit, preferably within the Milwaukee area.
• You have experience working with a customer relationship management software or similar; the Urban Ecology Center utilizes Volgistics and Altru, a Blackbaud product.
• You have experience utilizing the Google workspace, including Docs, Sheets, Forms, and other apps within the system.
• First Aid/CPR Certification is required; UEC can support in attainment

WORKING CONDITIONS, LOCATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Condition & Location: Open office workspace with an active team atmosphere. Using shared workspaces at all three UEC locations.
• Physical Requirements: Sitting for prolonged periods, typing on a computer keyboard, lifting objects of 25 pounds or less
• Equipment Used: Computer equipment, fundraising/CRM software, Google software
• Schedule: Standard business hours with occasional evening and weekend events

The Urban Ecology Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to make all personnel decisions without discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin, and any other protected status.