Grant Writer

Location:                    Silver Spring, MD (or remote telework option) 

Supervisor:                Sr. Vice President of Development

Status:                        Full-Time, Exempt, No direct reports

What We Need

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, is seeking a Grant Writer to identify, define, and develop funding sources to support existing and planned program activities as well as lead the development, writing, and submission of grant proposals to federal, state, and private funding agencies.

The Grant Writer will work closely with the Foundation’s staff as well as federal and community partners in the National Marine Sanctuary System to ensure the preparation of proposals and grant applications and the performance of responsible professional and administrative work in researching, identifying, developing and responding to public and private grant opportunities in areas that support Foundation programs. The position is also responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data on the performance of program activities funded by federal, state, and private funding agencies.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the dedicated team. With a diverse group of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the ocean’s health, coasts, and Great Lakes for current and future generations.

What You’ll Do

Grant Prospecting, Calendar, and Cultivation

• Meet regularly with Foundation leadership, staff, and sanctuary partners to discuss current and new funding agendas and needs.
• Host check-in meetings with program managers and field liaisons to help facilitate funding needs, grant opportunities, and grant implementation.
• Research and identify new government, corporate, foundation, and private funding prospects to match Foundation and sanctuaries’ priorities.
• Generate and maintain annual calendar/schedules of grant opportunities to track deadlines, responsibilities, progress, anticipated revenue, and outcomes for private, family, and corporate foundations and local, state, and federal government.
• Participate in high-priority grant opportunity webinars and information sessions.

Grant Writing

• Work with appropriate personnel to research, develop, write, and submit letters of inquiry, concept papers, and grant proposals.
• Generate high-quality proposals, narratives, applications, and supporting documents and attachments in response to solicitations consistent with all policies and procedures of Foundation and the requirements and guidelines of the funding agencies.
• Coordinate proposal development by preparing checklists, assigning leads and collaborators, meeting deadlines for each grant
• Generate revenues for Foundation programs through timely submission of well-researched, well-written, and well-documented grant proposals.
• Coordinate and follow up on the progress of submitted proposals.

Effectiveness, Compliance, and Knowledge Management

• Become cognizant of regulations and other matters of compliance with all grants, including the GAN, FAQs, CFRs, email, webinars, and all other communications as they relate to the grants.
• Develop a Grants Manual to formalize processes and procedures in cooperation with the Foundation leadership.
• Produce and implement templates for grant narratives, budget tables, etc.
• Work with the project teams to ensure proper document collection and storage.
• Coordinate with the Operations and Finance Divisions to create expenditure and income budgets to accompany proposals.
• Coordinate with the Operations Division to maintain a master file on pending grants and contracts.
• Coordinate with the Operations Division to track and analyze reported results from grantees and contractors using a project management database.
• Provide support for the annual budget process in relationship to grant prospects.

Who You Are

You are a collaborative team player interested in supporting marine conservation projects in the National Marine Sanctuary System. You have an affinity for designing projects and managing tasks to meet deadlines and work efficiently. You show meticulous attention to detail and are flexible and adaptable, working with various teams, people, and geographies to accomplish project work. You are a key team member in the Development Department who builds positive working relationships with and motivates the Foundation’s Conservation, Education, Operations, and Finance Departments, as well as partner organizations, to achieve the Foundation’s mission.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 3-5 years of experience in grant writing or five years minimum experience in lieu of degree.
• Experience working with grant programs; experience with federal, state, and private philanthropic grants.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; experience producing proposals and reports.
• Ability to perform in a cross-functional team approach and job responsibilities.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and produce quality results with attention to detail.
• Personable in-person and phone demeanor, diplomatic disposition balanced with the ability to defend positions and policies.
• Fluency in computer software programs (i.e., Microsoft 365, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and databases) required. Experience with program management software (Asana).

Why You Will Love Us

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (“Foundation”) is a voice for U.S. protected waters, working with communities to conserve and expand those unique places for a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. The Foundation works in close partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase stewardship of our ocean and Great Lakes through on-the-water conservation projects, education and public outreach activities, and support for research.

Together, we safeguard species and the places they call home and support coastal communities and economies. 

• Dedicated and passionate staff committed to marine and Great Lakes Conservation
• Generous leave policy, plus paid time off the week between December 25 and January 1 and 12 paid holidays
• Health benefits: Medical with an FSA option; dental and vision
• Foundation paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Preparing for the Future: 403(B) with employer contribution after one year of service
• Commuter benefits

Compensation and Benefits: $60K-$70K annually based on experience. The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package. 

Apply through the Foundation’s online portal.  A cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references are required.   Applications received by March 31, 2024 will be preferred.

Location: Ability to work in-person or hybrid remotely at the Foundation’s Headquarters office in Silver Spring, Md. is strongly preferred. 

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This commitment applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The Foundation makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.