Grants Officer, US Programs

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

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Functioning as part of a team, the Grants Officer, U.S. Programs serves as a frontline fundraiser responsible for building, managing, and soliciting a portfolio of high-capacity institutional funders and prospects (foundations, corporations, and government where applicable) in support of AFSC’s U.S. programs. The Grant Unit is currently responsible for a portfolio of over 100-125 domestic and international grants annually, amounting to approximately $10-12 million in the operating budget. The Grant Officer’s primary focus is on grants of $25,000 and more.  

The Grants Officer is the primary relationship manager for assigned funders and prospects and is accountable for end-to-end partnership development: strategy, cultivation, proposal writing, solicitation, negotiation of award terms, renewal, and stewardship. The role orchestrates internal stakeholders (program leadership, finance, MEL, communications, and senior leadership as appropriate) so that priorities are kept in view, deadlines are met, and duplication of effort or actions at cross purposes is avoided. 

Portfolio scope and activity expectations are: managing a defined set of institutional relationships, maintaining a disciplined engagement cadence, and producing a reliable pipeline forecast and revenue results

• →Manage and solicit a defined portfolio of high-capacity institutional funders and prospects; serve as the primary relationship manager and fundraiser for assigned accounts.
• →Design and deliver customized funding offers (including multi-year, renewal, and restricted awards) and supplemental materials in partnership with program and finance colleagues; ensure written proposals and materials align with AFSC strategy, are competitively positioned, and reflect funder intent and compliance requirements.
• →Develop and execute an annual portfolio plan and 12–24 month pipeline forecast for assigned programs and funders; report progress against revenue, renewal, and engagement targets established with the Sr. Director of Grants
• →Actively contribute to the Grant Unit strategy and continuous improvement initiatives (process, templates, data integrity, portfolio analytics, and cross unit coordination). Meet annual goals set by the Senior Director of Grants and Strategic Projects for grant requests submitted, size of grant requests submitted, funds raised, and other metrics as appropriate.
• →Build and maintain funder relationships through proactive outreach and a disciplined engagement cadence (strategic calls, briefings, in-person visits/site visits as appropriate); maintain current knowledge of funder priorities and decision cycles. Cultivate contacts and ongoing relationships with institutional donors; understand their priorities, philosophies and particular interests; and interpret the work of AFSC in articulate, compelling, and creative ways.
• →Ensure high-quality stewardship for assigned accounts: deliver timely reports and updates, coordinate impact communications and recognition as appropriate, and maintain strong retention and upgrade strategies.
• →Own end-to-end partnership development for assigned accounts: qualification, cultivation, solicitation, negotiation of scope/budget/terms, award close, renewal strategy, and stewardship. Develop and implement annual fundraising plans, based on the portfolio of institutional funders and assigned programs.
• →Partner with program leadership and Development leadership to identify, qualify, and cultivate new institutional prospects; conduct prospect research and develop entry strategies that expand and diversify the US programs.
• →Strengthen program grant readiness by translating program strategy into fundable plans: clarify outcomes/indicators, budgets, narratives, and evidence; align internal deliverables and timelines to funder requirements.
• →Lead internal orchestration for key funder relationships: coordinate involvement of program leadership, finance, MEL, communications, and senior leadership/volunteers as appropriate; prepare colleagues for funder meetings and ensure consistent messaging and follow-up.
• →Negotiate and manage post-award requirements for assigned portfolio: confirm deliverables and reporting cadence; anticipate and mitigate compliance or performance risks; coordinate audits and corrective action plans in collaboration with Finance and program teams
• →Maintain accurate and timely records in Salesforce and the document management system (moves management, proposal stages, probability, award documentation, reporting schedules, and contact notes) to support forecasting and organizational reporting. Track all activity in AFSC’s fundraising databases and keep records up to date.
• →Maintain the accuracy and currency of assigned opportunities in Salesforce, including stage, amount, grant period dates, and tasks, as the primary system of record for portfolio visibility.
• →Maintain and keep current knowledge of assigned programs through regular internal engagement, reading relevant resources and topics, participation in events when appropriate, and periodic travel for program and funder-facing work.
• →Continue to develop professional expertise in institutional fundraising, including grant strategy, relationship management, negotiation, and compliance, through ongoing professional development..
• →Undertake additional assignments as directed by the Sr. Director of the Grant Unit.
• →Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
• →Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
• →Other duties and projects as assigned.

NA

• Bachelor’s degree in related or relevant field required.
• Minimum five years experience in raising grant funds from foundations, corporations, or governments required.
• Experience collaborating to write and edit compelling proposals in a deadline driven environment.
• Experience working with fundraising software required, preferably Salesforce experience.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
• Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
• Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.
• Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position duties and expectations change over time.  This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time.  The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.