Development Grant Writer

Fresh Films seeks an experienced writer/editor to join its expanding development and communications team. The Development GrantWriter will create compelling grant applications for a wide range of grants (local, regional, national), including corporate, government and private/public foundations. You will collaborate with staff to clearly and compellingly convey the organization’s mission and programs through grant proposals and in creating interim and final reports. The Development GrantWriter will be fluent in a variety of styles, ranging from narrative storytelling to technical writing, and be able to navigate competing priorities while moving from project to project with ease. This position requires strategic thinking, excellent project management skills, and alignment with Fresh Films’ vision, mission, values, and goals. As a storyteller for FreshFilms, the Development Writer will stay abreast of racial equity/social justice/workforce development issues, industry trends, develop deep familiarity with the creative workforce ecosystem nationally and in the regions we serve, finding joy in data-driven storytelling, be excellent at communicating Fresh Films’ impact to diverse audiences. The Development Grant Writer will be a member of the development team who reports to the National Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development and also works closely with the Managing Director (who also holds a development role) and the programs team.

Key Responsibilities

• Grant Writer for a wide variety of solicitation and stewardship materials, primarily grant proposals, but also impact reports, contributions to newsletters, talking points and opinion pieces.
• Research for updates on existing grants as well as identify/prospect new grant opportunities
• Partner with the development and programs team to write, edit, and format grant proposals, mid-and final reports, cover letters, impact reports and related materials. (**KF do we want to set expectation of approx 8-10 grants/mo)
• Edit and proofread drafts of proposals, reports, presentations, and other materials, as requested.
• Learn and maintain a deep working knowledge of Fresh Films and its vision, mission, values, strategic goals, and programs.
• Other duties as assigned

Required skills and experience

• Minimum of six years of full-time professional employment experience in grant writing, journalism, or academic research writing, preferably for mission-driven organizations.
• Superior writing and editing skills with an ability to convey a compelling story.
• Demonstrated track record of success securing grants from individual donors and institutional funders.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Flexibility to rework content as needed through multiple drafts.
• Highly detail-oriented and organized, with superior research and editing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.
• Ability to plan for and meet deadlines.
• Ability to persuasively promote Fresh Films’ mission, vision, and values.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with people of different backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
• Ability to manage up and across as necessary to meet goals and objectives and ensure timely completion of tasks.
• Working knowledge of Google platform, with proficiency in Word, Excel, and Outlook plus Monday.com preferable.
• Familiarity with fundraising databases and/or CRM platforms is helpful.

Location: Remote OK, prefer LA, Chicago, Atlanta, Quad Cities.

Work Environment:

• Remote or in-person at headquarters based in Rock Island, IL
• Fresh Films uses google-drive doc sharing and employee will be set up on drive
• Job reports to the Managing Director and National Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships

WE ARE A PROUD EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Fresh Films is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe diversity drives us to deliver more

valuable and meaningful experiences for clients and employees. That means we not only provide equal

opportunity and consideration to all employees and applicants – we welcome it. Fresh Films doesn’t

discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, religion, national

origin, age, sex, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any

other category protected by law.