Development Associate: Foundations and Organizations

Development Associate – Foundations and Organizations

Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities –
Full‑time –
Mid‑Senior level

Salary Range: $65,000 – $72,000 annually

Reports To: Chief Development Officer

Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities (UGMTC) provides emergency shelter, food, basic needs and wraparound programs for people facing homelessness, hunger and addiction in the community. Located in Saint Paul, UGMTC has been offering the hope of Jesus Christ to people in need since 1902.

Mission

To provide Christ‑centered, life‑changing pathways for all people who are experiencing homelessness, hunger and addiction.

Vision

To see all men, women and children healthy, whole and successful through Jesus Christ and the transforming power of the gospel.

Values

Faith, Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Excellence.

Position Summary

The Development Associate – Foundations and Organizations plays a key role in advancing the mission of the organization by securing funding from foundations, corporations, and government sources. This position is responsible for researching funding opportunities, developing compelling proposals, and managing all aspects of grant reporting and data analysis. The Grant Writer ensures that the organization’s impact is effectively communicated through clear, data‑driven narratives that inspire funder confidence and long‑term partnership.

Duties

and Responsibilities Institutional Funder Research and Strategy

• Identify and research new funding opportunities that align with the organization’s programs, mission, and strategic goals.
• Analyze funding trends, community data, and philanthropic priorities to inform development strategies.
• Maintain a grant calendar and database of prospects, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
• Support strategic planning by providing data‑driven insights on funding patterns and grant performance.

Grant Writing and Submission

• Develop well‑written, persuasive grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and supporting documents tailored to each funder’s interests and guidelines.
• Collaborate with program, finance, marketing and communications, and leadership teams to gather accurate data, outcomes, and budget information for proposals.
• Ensure all submissions are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
• Maintain consistency in messaging and mission alignment across all proposals.

Reporting and Data Analytics

• Prepare and submit timely progress and final reports to funders, ensuring compliance with grant requirements.
• Collect, verify, and analyze program data and outcomes for use in reporting and storytelling.
• Work with program staff to establish data tracking systems that capture key performance indicators.
• Create dashboards and summary reports that communicate grant results, funding pipelines, and impact metrics to leadership and board members.
• Use analytics to evaluate grant success rates, return on investment, and program impact for continuous improvement.

Collaboration and Relationship Management

• Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure proposals and reports accurately reflect program activities and achievements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders through clear communication and updates on funded projects.
• Support donor stewardship efforts by contributing data, impact summaries, and success stories for newsletters, presentations, and reports.

Performance Indicators

• Number and value of grants secured annually.
• Amount of corporate revenue secured annually.
• Accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of proposals and reports.
• Data quality and effectiveness of impact reporting.
• Growth in new funding sources and funder retention.

Minimum

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years of professional grant writing or fundraising experience in a nonprofit setting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Demonstrated success in securing grants from foundations, corporations, and/or government agencies.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to interpret and present data clearly.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling abilities with a focus on clarity, accuracy,…