Company Description The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center highlights the lived experiences of African Americans to confront the enduring tension between freedom denied and freedom realized, revealing deeper truths about our shared past and its implications for today. Through our distinctive convening spaces, interdisciplinary programming, and commitment to rigorous research and analysis, we operate as a hub for thought leadership, civic dialogue, and collective action. We provide a safe space to explore, reflect, and share perspectives. We honor cultural expression by elevating diverse voices and ensuring that history is preserved and presented with dignity, accuracy, and care. Through this work and strategic partnerships, we build trust, promote transparency, and foster connections across our various communities. In doing so, we strengthen civic engagement, and help prepare the next generation of leaders committed to building a more just, humane and democratic world. We interpret the past. We engage the present.
Our best example of our work is the Swords Into Plowshares project which, is a deeply rooted initiative addressing the legacy of racial injustice locally and nationally. It involves transforming the material from the former Lee statue into a public artwork and landscape, creating a space for reflection, community gathering, and ongoing dialogue. After an extensive community engagement process the Charlottesville community chose sculptor Dana King and design team Model of Architecture Serving Society (MASS) to co-create ROOTED, a sculpture and design plan that will be placed in three local parks: Market Street, Belmont, and Forest Hill parks. ROOTED is guided by the principles of equity, inclusion, and collaborative decision-making, with a core focus on dismantling systemic oppression and promoting racial justice. (Detailed project information is available at sipcville.com.
Role Description: We are seeking an experienced grant writer to support our ambitious fundraising goals – including writing grants in support of a $1.5 million annual fund and a $4 million ROOTED budget. We receive much of our annual funding from State and local governments and seek to more deeply diversify our funding streams to ensure our long-term sustainability and future growth. The budget for Community Engagement and Installation of "ROOTED" is $4 million. We are just beginning our campaign to raise these funds. We anticipate the project to be installed in five years.
Scope of Services Requested: We require grant writing services to support both the annual fund and the Rooted project. The successful applicant(s) must demonstrate a proven track record of securing grants from foundations and organizations with a strong commitment to social justice, equity, and racial equality.
The responsibilities include:
Annual Fund:
• Developing a comprehensive grant strategy aligned with JSAAHC’s mission and fundraising goals, specifically targeting funders supporting racial justice initiatives, arts & culture organizations, and historical preservation/redress projects.
• Researching and identifying potential funding sources (foundations, corporations, government agencies) with a demonstrated history of supporting community-led social justice projects and/or organizations involved in public memory work.
• Preparing compelling grant proposals for a range of funding opportunities (average proposal size: $5,000 - $50,000).
• Managing grant reporting and ensuring timely submission of required documentation.
ROOTED Project:
• Developing a detailed fundraising plan for the $4 million project, including identifying major gift opportunities and securing commitments from funders aligned with our social justice framework – specifically foundations supporting public art, community engagement, and historical reckoning.
• Preparing complex grant proposals for large-scale funding sources (average proposal size: $50,000 - $250,000), with a particular focus on securing grants from foundations dedicated to public memory and historical redress, as well as those supporting arts & culture initiatives with a social justice mission.
• Managing the grant application process for the project, including coordinating with legal counsel and other stakeholders. Tracking grant progress and ensuring compliance with all reporting requirements.
Qualifications:
• Proven track record of successful grant writing, with a significant focus on securing grants for social justice organizations and/or arts & culture initiatives with a strong social impact.
• Deep understanding of the philanthropic landscape, including foundation guidelines and grant application processes specifically related to racial justice, community development, historical redress, public memory, and arts & culture.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive and compelling proposals that authentically reflect JSAAHC’s mission and values, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding historical reckoning.
• Experience working with community-based organizations and diverse stakeholders, with a demonstrated commitment to centering marginalized voices and supporting culturally relevant programming.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
To Apply:
Please include the following:
• Cover Letter: (1 page) – Briefly outlining qualifications and approach to this project, highlighting your experience with social justice grant writing and familiarity with funders in the arts & culture and history sectors.
• Experience: (2 pages) – Detailing your experience, expertise, and relevant past projects, with specific examples of successful grant applications for social justice organizations, arts & culture initiatives, and historical preservation/redress projects.
• Proposed Approach: (3-5 pages) – Describing your proposed strategy for supporting JSAAHC’s fundraising goals, including specific tactics and timelines. This section should demonstrate a clear understanding of JSAAHC’s mission, our commitment to social justice, and how your approach aligns with funders in the specified sectors.
• Fee Schedule: (1 page) – Clearly outlining your fees for grant writing services, including hourly rates or project-based pricing.
• References: (2-3) – Contact information for previous clients who can attest to your skills and performance, specifically highlighting experience with social justice grant writing and/or work in the arts & culture or history sectors.
Return application to:
Andrea Douglas, Executive Director
Jefferson School African American
Heritage Center
director@jeffschoolheritagecenter.org
