Grant Writer

Job Summary

Attention writers, change makers, and lifelong learners! UTEC seeks a passionate and skilled Grant Writer to secure resources that will change the lives of young people in the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts. In this exempt position, you will manage the full grant cycle from proposal writing through grant reporting and building relationships with funders over time. There will be opportunities to develop expertise in several areas, including gun violence intervention, workforce development, policy and systems change, and restorative justice. You will report to the Director of Grants and work closely with a dynamic and growing Development team. 

Reasons to Love this Role

• Impact: Your work will advance UTEC’s mission in several areas, including:
• Innovations in job training and wraparound support for young adults ages 17-25 
• Reducing stigma around mental health issues and expanding mental health support 
• Launching a new transitional housing program
• Advocacy for policy and systems change in the criminal justice system 
• A new food truck social enterprise 
• Training and technical assistance for other youth-serving and violence-prevention organizations
• Work-life balance: A full week off between the Christmas and New Year holidays, a minimum of three weeks vacation per year, and 3 pm early closure on Summer Fridays. After 3 years on staff, UTEC employees are also offered a paid three-week sabbatical with up to $1,500 in related expenses.
• Career advancement: An individualized professional development plan and up to $6,500 per year for training that you choose related to grant writing and other aspects of philanthropy, DEI, social justice, or leadership development.
• Attention to wellness! UTEC provides a Benepass fund of $1,800 per year to offset expenses that increase wellness - as you define it - including gym memberships, restaurants, groceries, home or car repair, travel, and more. UTEC also prioritizes mental health by reimbursing staff for mental health co-pays and allowing mental health sick days. 
• DEI Values: Our culture is like no other - DEI training, team-building activities, and celebrations are just some of the ways UTEC builds community. 

Responsibilities

Proposal Development (65%)

• Draft high-quality, compelling, and detailed documents such as proposals, letters of inquiry, and progress reports to institutional funders
• Create new content and manage large-scale proposals for high-concept grants, including government contracts, programs offered by national funders, and new funding opportunities
• Collaborate with program and evaluation staff on internal project teams as needed
• Develop expertise in one or more of UTEC’s program areas to strengthen proposal content and rationale
• In coordination with the Director of Grants, maintain updated boilerplate language to use for proposals

Relationship Management and Stewardship (15%) 

• Manage a portfolio of (8-12) current and prospective funders of large grants, including revising and updating donor profiles and tracking their funding requirements and interests
• Participate in outreach to, calls with, and site visits from institutional funders 
• Draft correspondence to institutional funders and prospective funders on behalf of the leadership team
• Draft backgrounders and talking points for senior staff in advance of funder meetings
• Coordinate with the Evaluation and Program teams to ensure data collection and program updates for timely and accurate submission of narrative reporting to funders 

Researcher and Strategist (10%) 

• Take the lead on researching and vetting potential funding sources, using resources such as Candid, Linkedin, etc. 
• Prepare prospect profiles and briefs to share with members of the institutional development and leadership team to develop approach strategies
• Research issues relevant to corporate engagement, philanthropy, and other nonprofit financing trends
• Participate in the development of strategies to approach and attract new institutional funders  

Systems Management (10%)

• Create grant acknowledgements
• Manage the Salesforce database for all grant opportunities, institutional funding entities, and related contacts, including maintaining funder records and running grant-related reports
• Assist in developing and maintaining efficient systems, policies, and procedures to manage information and the workflow of the Grants team

Required Skills/Abilities 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite or similar software
• Work with individuals both internal and external to the organization
• Ability to create and manage cross-functional work plans and adapt to a changing environment 
• Capacity to work with staff and partners at all levels, with comfort “managing up” 
• Attention to administrative and process detail 
• Strong computer and online literacy skills
• Experience with Salesforce a plus
• Commitment to UTEC’s principles of social change, diversity, and community building
• Passion for owning one’s work and the ability to laugh at oneself  

Education and Experience

• 2-3 years of grant writing and project management experience is strongly preferred

Physical Requirements 

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Background on UTEC

UTEC is a youth development and social justice organization. The mission is to ignite and nurture the ambition of young adults to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. We are dedicated to helping young people ages 17-25 in the communities of Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill Massachusetts overcome the very real challenges of interrupted education, gang involvement, and incarceration. We believe that: If young adults who are caught up in the school-to-prison pipeline are productively engaged in UTEC activities and supports for an extended period during the critical ages of 17-25, then by 25, they will have the skills and resilience they need to pursue their dreams and avoid further involvement in the criminal justice system. For more info, please visit www.utecinc.org.

UTEC’s vision and pledge for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is to honor, value, support, and protect individuals' lived experiences and expertise regardless of their position or title in the organization. This is how we create a space of comfort, courage, and growth. See the full pledge here. 

Compensation 

$70,000 - $75,000 plus benefits. UTEC offers a competitive benefits package that starts with 3 weeks of vacation plus a week off between the Christmas and New Year holidays, 12 holidays, 10 sick days, 2 personal days, and 3 bereavement days, as well as health, dental, and vision insurance starting day one. We also offer life insurance, first-time homeowners down payment assistance, cost of living increases, a paid sabbatical after three years, and a 401K retirement plan with up to $2,000 savings match.

UTEC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, UTEC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location where the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.