JOB SUMMARY/ ACCOUNTABILITY:
As the Director of Grant Development and Strategy, the selected candidate will be responsible for developing a strategy and writing grant proposals to foundations and other grant-making organizations to persuasively communicate Matrix’s mission and programs to potential funders. The Director will stay apprised of and assess the desirability of new funding opportunities and will take the lead in submitting high-quality funding proposals. Reporting to the VP of Development and Marketing, the Director of Grant Development and Strategy assembles and submits grant requests, establishes, and maintains personal contact and relationships with public funders and foundation contacts, conduct prospect research, and maintains a calendar of submissions and other deadlines.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Monitor availability of funding at the federal, state, local levels that offers a favorable return on investment and aligns with Matrix’s strategic direction.
- Develop a framework for assessing the desirability of public funding opportunities, accounting for factors such as ability to cover programmatic costs, alignment with strategic direction, revenue diversification goals, and duration of funding.
- Collaborate with a variety of internal stakeholders to coordinate submission of informed and persuasive proposals for public funding, as well as subsequent reports after funding is awarded, contributing to writing as needed.
- Advising staff across the organization on program design, implementation, and expansion aligned with public funding opportunities and compliance with grant and contract requirements.
- Stay connected with grant-making organizations during their review of a submitted grant application in order to be able to supply additional supportive material
- Manage the process of supplying progress reports when required by a grant-making organization that has funded a project or program
- Coordinate the development of grant requests by establishing timelines outlining tasks, assignments, and deadlines; meet all deadlines; facilitate timely communications with program leadership; collect grant submission materials from program leadership
- Draft and edit grant proposals, checking for completeness against grant instructions, spelling, grammar, and style.
- Respond to all correspondence and maintain complete files for all grant requests submitted including copies of compliance reports submitted by program directors as required by grant sources
- Maintain a database system for tracking all grant submissions and reporting deadlines
- Key internal stakeholders are kept apprised of public funding opportunities that align with Matrix’s strategic direction in a timely manner.
- Ensure proposals and awards align with Matrix Human Services' desire and ability to expand service delivery.
- Review requests for proposals/responses and conduct research on grant funding agencies (agency/fiscal guidelines, grant-making history, regulations, application requirements, etc.)
- Facilitate development of partnership proposals with other community-based organizations.
- Develop positive relationships with key individuals in the community and with grant making organizations.
- Perform special projects and related responsibilities as initiated and requested.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
- A minimum of a baccalaureate degree in a field related to task activities from an accredited university or college, with a preference for a degree in Journalism, English, Public Administration business management, or a related field.
NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience that could provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be evaluated individually.
- Five years of progressive professional experience related to the grant writing task activities including multiple grants management, non-profit or for-profit financial management, and regulatory compliance monitoring and oversight.
- Demonstrated ability to produce high quality written products such as memoranda, presentations, and correspondence.
- Strong organizational, administrative and project coordination skills, and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the proven ability to collaborate and build relationships with staff, clients, remote colleagues and supervisors, and others.
- Proven ability to effectively communicate (both orally and in writing), exercise sound judgment, ask questions and be open to the input and decisions of others.
- Able to, both independently and collaboratively, solve problems, make decisions, and support change.
- Knowledge of Detroit communities
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to lift up to 20 Lbs.
- Ability to traverse stairs and other uneven terrain to gain access to and to maneuver throughout offsite locations including office buildings and special event locations.
- Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
WORKING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Works in a normal office environment with usual pressures of managing personnel and dealing with time constraints. Because of the need to meet with others within the community, it is common to drive to several locations, sometimes in inclement weather.
CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND ETHICAL CONDUCT:
- All staff will use data to help achieve program goals; apply techniques and strategies that promote a culture of learning; identify and address gaps that continuously improve our programs
- All personnel of Matrix must adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and incorporate Continuous Quality Improvement efforts into their everyday performance
- All Head Start employees must adhere to the federal regulations and requirements for Head Start operations including the Program Performance Standards, licensing regulations, and the NAEYC Code of Conduct
- Demonstrate and actively promote an understanding and commitment to the mission and values of Matrix Human Services
Matrix Human Services is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Matrix Human Services is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. Michigan law requires that a person with a disability or handicap requiring accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job must notify the employer in writing within 182 days of the date that the need is known or should have been known.
