Grant​/Development Writer

Position: Grant / Development Writer
* THIS POSITION IS A FULLY ONSITE ROLE
* Please note that the successful applicant must be able to report to work daily in our office in Salem, Virginia.

POSITION

PURPOSE:



The Grant and Development Writer supports the mission of Feeding Southwest Virginia in compliance with FSWVA's Strategic Plan and the Development Department's overarching goals and objectives.

The focus of this role is to help our team execute a comprehensive and aggressive program to generate funding from existing and new sources including foundations, corporations, local and state government, the national Feeding America organization, and civic and religious groups.

We seek an enthusiastic writing and research professional who will steward and expand our donor base by producing tailored, timely, polished, and data-informed fundraising correspondence (e.g., LOIs, Proposals, Applications, Reports).

The Grant /Development Writer will also research and occasionally draft key messaging for the food bank's various fundraising materials. Examples include contributing to direct mail solicitations, appeal letters, and newsletters, and generating content for our website and digital campaigns.

The person in this position will report to the Director of Foundation Relations and work closely with the Chief Development Officer. The role also collaborates regularly with other Development Department staff members and colleagues in the Executive, Finance, Food Procurement, IT, Operations, Program Services, and Volunteer Services departments.

POSITION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To be successful in this role, an individual must be able to perform in a satisfactory manner the functions or responsibilities listed below.

1. The Grant and Development Writer will demonstrate a professional demeanor in all interactions with FSWVA colleagues, donors, agency partners, civic and government officials, and the general public.

2. The Writer will learn, and consistently practice the policies and procedures of, Feeding Southwest Virginia and the Feeding America national office. Generally, this role is expected to exhibit high-level knowledge of all Feeding Southwest Virginia's programs and initiatives.

3. The Grant and Development Writer reports to the Director of Foundation Relations and is responsible for maintaining effective processes that include, but are not limited to:

• Independently drafting concise, articulate, and persuasive grant related materials and submitting said materials in an organized fashion.

* Note that the Development Department strictly limits the use of AI in writing projects. The successful candidate will be expected to take a judicious and conscientious approach to any LLM-generated content and will refrain from using such material in external-facing workplace communications.

• Conducting research to identify funding and partnership opportunities.

• Collecting, verifying, and interpreting relevant data (including demographic data and program metrics/statistics).

• Liaising with the food bank's Executive Team and Finance Departments to develop grant budgets and budget narratives.

• Collaborating with Programs and Executive Leadership to prioritize funding needs.

• Stewarding relationships with grantors through telephone calls, thank-you and acknowledgement letters, and other touchpoints.

• Monitoring grant-funded program spending and submitting reports on use of funding (compiling and disseminating information for internal and external reporting requirements).

• Assisting in updating or developing departmental SOPs.

Other functions:

o Promoting a cooperative spirit within the organization.

o Performing other duties as assigned by the Director of Foundation Relations, Chief Development Officer, and/or the President and CEO.

Minimum Skills and Qualifications required:

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree, or combination of education and a minimum of three years of grant/development writing experience required.

• Grant writing or comparable fundraising experience required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Makes a positive contribution to the culture of the organization and leads by example.

• Enjoys writing and is enthusiastic in exercising their…