Amara is committed to positive long-term outcomes for children and families. We drive systemic change, promote healing, and advance racial equity by offering programs and services to families engaged with foster care and to adoptees and families, post-adoption.

The Grant Writer is responsible for researching, developing, and preparing grant proposals to foundations, corporations, and public funding opportunities. As a key member of the Philanthropy Team, this position helps Amara meet its annual fundraising goal. The Grant Writer reports to the Chief Philanthropy Officer and works in partnership with staff to successfully apply for funding opportunities for programmatic initiatives, report on program outcomes, and share Amara’s story from a strengths-based perspective.

Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strive for equality and justice in the way people are treated and the opportunities they have to succeed by working to address racism, unequal treatment and other barriers to inclusion. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds (including BIPOC, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities) to apply and join us in our work.

Responsibilities

The Grant Writer reports to the Chief Philanthropy Officer as part of the Philanthropy Team. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Research and identify prospective funding partners in alignment with Amara’s mission.
• Learn Amara’s programs, goals, and financial needs in order to develop compelling proposals, seek new funding opportunities, and report back to funders on their impact.
• Build relationships and work closely with Amara staff members to synthesize program activities, data, and financials for proposals and reports.
• Write and prepare grant proposals, reports, LOIs to prospective funding partners by persuasively communicating Amara’s goals, mission, and programs.
• Ensure compliance with all funder guidelines in grant submission and reporting.
• In partnership with the Chief Philanthropy Officer, develop annual grants plan; including funder strategy and anticipated timelines.
• Maintain funder information, strategy, and moves in donor database.
• Actively participate in Amara’s efforts to advance racial equity, unlearn biases, and engage in the organization’s broader work in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ensure all written grant materials use strengths-based language and represent children and families with value and dignity.

The ideal candidate is detail oriented, a strong writer, and enjoys story-telling to the community through grant requests. Candidates should thrive working independently, but enjoy relationship building within the organization and with funders. Prior grant writing or non-profit communications experience is preferred, however, we are seeking people with demonstrated experience writing and/or story-telling, experience with the child welfare system, are committed to advancing racial equity, and are passionate about Amara’s mission.

We list our preferred qualifications and are open to candidates who can demonstrate their experience and/or education that supports their alignment with the skills we are seeking.

• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, equity and anti-racism:
  • Experience working in racially and ethnically diverse environments;
  • Demonstrated commitment to understanding and dismantling structural racial inequity;
  • Desire to further personal understanding of racial and social justice work.
• 3+ years in nonprofit fundraising or communications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to write and edit persuasively.
• Comfortable building relationships with departments across the organization.
• Strong prioritization and time management skills; ability to meet competing deadlines.
• Ability to translate programmatic information and data into concise, compelling, asset-based, and mission-centered narratives.
• Understanding of budgets and ability to understand organization’s finances and financial systems.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate effectively.
• Goal-oriented, resourceful, flexible, positive, and good humored.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and donor databases.

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with an annual salary of $48,000 - $60,000, depending on experience. Generous personal leave and benefits package, including paid time off, paid sabbatical; health, vision, and dental insurance; 401k with a company match; and life and disability insurance. The successful candidate will have flexibility to work-from-home and will have office space in one of our locations in Pierce or King County.  

Criminal Background Check

Because this position has access to confidential client, employee, or financial information any final candidate hired into this position must successfully pass a criminal background check performed by the State of Washington. Any job offer is contingent on successfully passing this background check.  A list of disqualifying convictions for this position is available at https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/secretaryslist.pdf 

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample. In your submission, please indicate how you learned of this posting. No phone calls, please.

Applications will begin to be reviewed on 3/8/2021 with first round interviews anticipated to start the week of 3/15/2021. The anticipated start date is 4/1/2021.

Amara is an equal opportunity employer.