ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
SDEV is a Southwest Detroit-based nonprofit dedicated to working in coalition with residents, community organizations, schools, local businesses, and municipal agencies. These partnerships help us improve the quality of life and eliminate pollution-related health impacts in Southwest Detroit and the broader region. We work at the intersection of environmental justice, water equity, emission reductions, and youth programming. Our goal is to build community resilience and drive policy change through grassroots organizing and national coalition building.
POSITION SUMMARY
We are seeking a results-oriented, high-efficiency Grant Writer (Consultant) to maintain a steady funding pipeline by managing a high volume of output (approximately 1–3 grant submissions per week). In this role, you will own the beginning of the grant lifecycle—from prospect research through final submission—while maintaining rigorous documentation. You will work closely with our Executive Director, Program Staff, Finance Team, and Management Team to align proposals with organizational goals.
The Ideal Candidate:
- A True Strategist: You bring a proven track record and approach fundraising through a strategic lens, rather than just treating it as a writing task.
- Subject Matter Expert: You have a deep understanding of the nuances of environmental justice and fiscal sponsorship.
- Highly Efficient: You excel at time management, allowing you to maintain a consistent, rapid submission pace while keeping meticulous records.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- High-Volume Proposal Production: Draft, edit, and submit 1–3 grant proposals, letters of interest (LOIs), or concept papers weekly. Collaborate with the Executive Director and program staff to translate complex environmental sustainability, water infrastructure, emission reductions, and youth programming concepts into compelling, fundable narratives.
- Submission Management: Handle all technical aspects of submissions across various online portals, ensuring 100% accuracy and timely uploads of narratives, budgets, logic models, and supporting attachments.
- Pipeline & Funding Research: Actively research local, state, and federal funding opportunities that support environmental justice, climate justice, movement-building, grassroots organizing, and capacity building. Filter opportunities to ensure they match our organizational capacity and mission before pursuing.
- Fiscal Sponsorship Navigation: Manage applications and correspondence that require coordination with a fiscal sponsor, ensuring all compliance measures are met.
- Tracking & Library Maintenance: Maintain a comprehensive tracker of all submitted proposals, reporting deadlines, and funder communications. Maintain an organized digital library of standard grant support documents (resumes, board/staff lists, IRS forms, 501(c)(3) letters, insurance certs, and standard boilerplate language).
QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven Success: A documented grant win rate of 50% or higher.
- Subject Matter Expertise: Extensive writing experience in Environmental Justice & Sustainability, Climate Resilience, Water Advocacy/Infrastructure, and Youth Programming.
- Sector Experience: Background in movement-building, grassroots policy advocacy, and working with national coalitions to drive policy change.
- Fiscal Sponsorship: Previous experience managing grants for fiscally sponsored projects.
- Volume Experience: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously and to submit proposals weekly.
- Core Skills: Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to adopt the organization's voice. Must be a self-starter motivated to set and achieve goals with minimal supervision.
- Software Proficiency: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar), Microsoft Office (specifically advanced Excel skills for budgeting), Adobe Acrobat Professional (for compiling attachments), and Zoom.
- Values Alignment: A demonstrated commitment to racial, environmental, and climate justice.
COMPENSATION
- Contract Type: This is a contract/1099 consultant position.
- Rate: $30/hr - $40/hr, commensurate with expertise and experience. The rate will be reviewed quarterly based on performance.
- Hours & Capacity: The workload is expected to average 10-15 hours per week to successfully maintain the 1–3 submission pace. Work exceeding 15 hours in any given week requires prior written authorization from the Executive Director.
- Payment: Detailed invoices are to be submitted monthly.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Please submit your application as a single PDF to info@sdevweb.org with the subject line "Grant Writer Application". Your PDF package must include:
- Cover Letter: Briefly outline your experience with environmental justice fundraising and your familiarity with Southwest Detroit (if applicable).
- Resume/CV: Highlight your relevant professional and grant-writing experience.
- Track Record & Metrics: Provide a summary of your grant history over the past 2 years, explicitly demonstrating a 50%+ win rate. Please also include your typical turnaround time or process length per proposal.
- Writing Sample: Include one excerpt (maximum of 3 pages) from a funded proposal related to environmental work or youth programming.
- Cost Proposal: Detail your proposed fee structure (e.g., confirming your alignment with the $30–$40/hr rate or proposing a monthly retainer equivalent).
- Availability: Confirm your capacity to manage 1–3 proposals per week.
