Description:
Reporting to the Director of Foundation and Government
Support you will help complete a team of experts which works to identity,
solicit and steward key institutional funders.
Mass Audubon is looking for someone who can “think big” while at the
same time attend to all the details that this professional position
requires. Bring your exceptional
communication skills, analytical thinking, calm demeanor, and love of research
to a dynamic and inclusive team of development professionals. You will be
inspired by Mass Audubon’s educators, scientists, ornithologists and climate
action heroes who are protecting the nature of Massachusetts for people and
wildlife.
Responsibilities
Grant Proposals:
Craft compelling and persuasive grant proposals and create supporting
materials, including budgets and graphic pieces, for submission to foundations
and government agencies that support Mass Audubon’s mission of connecting
people to the nature of Massachusetts and the conservation of the natural
environment.
Provide proposal writing, grants management, and strategic
grants planning support to assigned units, programs, and departments that
depend on grant funding to support operations, special projects, capital needs,
and endowment.
Coordinate, attend, and contribute to grant planning
meetings.
Support Mass Audubon staff involvement in other
organizations’ proposals that benefit Mass Audubon by providing writing,
editing, and report reminders as required and ensuring adherence with Mass
Audubon standards. Prepare support letters for these proposals as required and
assist with grants management as necessary.
Funder Prospecting, Cultivation, and Stewardship:
Proactively identify and research new funding opportunities
from foundations and government agencies that align with Mass Audubon
priorities. Work with Director of Foundation and Government Support and other
senior staff to vet and distribute funding opportunities. Directly contact
funders as needed and foster cordial relations with funder staff.
As applicable, develop a plan for cultivating key
relationships with foundations and government agencies.
Alert members of the Board of Directors and other key
volunteers associated with Mass Audubon about the need to develop contacts with
funder prospects and facilitate conversations between those associated with the
organization and the funding source, when appropriate.
Drive grant strategy by helping program staff develop
competitive funding proposals that fit the priorities of both the donor and
Mass Audubon.
Grant Process Management:
Maintain, manage and distribute ongoing schedule of
deadlines related to grant applications/reporting and lead efforts to submit
funding proposals and grant reports.
Collaborate with staff at multiple sites and departments to
manage and lead efforts in submission of funding proposals and grant reports.
Facilitate the coordination and preparation of large proposals involving
multiple wildlife sanctuaries/departments and external partners.
Create, design, and implement processes and procedures related
to grant proposal development and grants management. Work with finance
department and other staff to collect information needed to complete proposals
and manage grants.
Facilitate the coordination and preparation of large
proposals involving multiple sanctuaries/departments and external partners.
Grant Reporting and Accounting:
Manage efficient operational system to ensure accurate
records and timely communication with funders; oversee grants calendar and
maintain up-to-date database records for all institutional donors.
Work with unit/program/department teams to develop, track,
and achieve annual target goals for income from foundations and government
agencies.
Write and send acknowledgements to donors in a timely manner
after receiving the grant award.
Ensure that grant income is properly coded. Work closely
with Director of Foundation and Government Support, staff in assigned
units/departments, and the finance department to ensure donors receive
appropriate reports.
Work with project team to develop and submit reports and
other follow-up materials to donors in a timely manner.
Other:
Manage ongoing communications, cultivation, and recognition
for grants with wildlife sanctuary, development, and marketing staff as
required.
Assist with grant-related publicity (press releases, social
media) and other grant requirements as needed.
Coordinate data collection of publicity activities as needed
for grant reporting requirements
Assist with proofing of grantors list for annual report
assisting with articles for Mass Audubon publications and other publicity as
requested
Stay up-to-date on best practices and issues related to
grant writing, state and federal grants management and submission requirements,
funding trends, and content issues such as evaluation, climate change, and
education.
Routinely monitor various outlets for RFP/RFR/bid
solicitations.
Assist with corporate fundraising as directed by Director of
Foundation and Government Support.
Assume other grant related projects or tasks as requested.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and 5 years grant-writing experience
Knowledge of foundation and government funding sources,
especially related to funding of environmental organizations, is required.
Understand and ensure compliance with philanthropic giving
policies and regulations and ensure that fundraising is conducted with the
highest level of ethical standards
Impeccable writing and editing skills
Excellent verbal communication skills
Intellectual curiosity and ability to learn quickly, ask
thoughtful questions, and synthesize information
Able to work as a member of a team and independently
Able to work collaboratively with staff located on and off
site
Able to maintain composure and focus while managing and
meeting deadlines
Superior organizational and time management skills with
experience prioritizing and working concurrently on multiple assignments
Extremely close attention to detail and a proclivity for
orderliness
Optimistic, friendly personality
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, Adobe
Acrobat Pro, and Outlook.
Experience with on-line grant application and reporting
processes and portals
Facility at learning and implementing donor database record
keeping (data entry, moves management, etc.).
Willingness and ability to travel to interact with project
staff at wildlife sanctuaries
Valid driver’s license required
Must pass a background records check (CORI, SORI and
driver’s)
Preferred Qualifications
Able to create professional-looking supplemental materials
to support proposals (e.g., one-pagers with texts, images, and graphics).
Interest in co-developing policies and procedures with the
Foundation and Government Support team to document best practices and increase
effectiveness.
Familiarity with government contracting and subcontracting
forms, processes, and procedures.
Experience in a conservation organization or similar
mission-based organization.
A fluency with the Massachusetts philanthropic community.