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Development Writer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Forterra

Proposal Writer

Arlington, VA · On-site

Responsibilities : • Write, edit, and refine proposal content for U.S ... Government and defense opportunities • Support development of a broad range of business ...

Forterra

Proposal Writer

Arlington, VA · On-site

Write, edit, and refine proposal content for U.S. Government and defense opportunities ... Support development of a broad range of business development materials, including: * * RFI ...

IESC

FCDO Technical Writer

Washington, DC · On-site

IESC is seeking technical writers with experience writing Foreign Commonwealth and Development (FCDO)/Department for International Development (DFID) bids. IESC is seeking to build a roster of ...

kgs

Technical Writer L1

Washington, DC

Documentation Development: * Write technical reports and manuals * Create operational procedures * Develop maintenance documentation * Prepare instruction books * Draft proposals and briefs * Update ...

Koniag, Inc.

Technical Writer L1

Washington, DC · On-site

Documentation Development: * Write technical reports and manuals * Create operational procedures * Develop maintenance documentation * Prepare instruction books * Draft proposals and briefs * Update ...

kgs

Technical Writer L1

Washington, DC

Documentation Development: * Write technical reports and manuals * Create operational procedures * Develop maintenance documentation * Prepare instruction books * Draft proposals and briefs * Update ...

One Federal Solution

Technical Writer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$28.06/hr

Write and draft policy directives, strategic plans, and other planning documents ... Facilitate strategic planning and policy development processes. * Edit and proofread policy ...

Potomac Haven Inc.

Proposal Writer

Mclean, VA · On-site

Collaborate closely with the business development, capture teams, and subject matter experts to ... Write, edit, and tailor proposal content to reflect win themes, competitive differentiators, and ...

Tandym Tech

Technical Writer

Vienna, VA · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Technical Writing, Communications, Information Systems, or a related field * 5-10 years of experience in technical writing, documentation development, or knowledge management

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Development Writer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$53.2K

$76.6K

$100.2K

How much do development writer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for development writer in Washington, DC is $76,567.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,300.00 and $88,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Development Writer typically collaborate with fundraising and program teams?

Development Writers work closely with fundraising teams to craft compelling grant proposals, donor communications, and case statements that align with organizational goals. They often meet with program staff to gather impact stories, data, and updates, ensuring that all written materials accurately reflect the organization's work and needs. This collaboration helps create persuasive content that resonates with funders and stakeholders, and also keeps messaging consistent across departments. Regular communication and feedback loops are key to producing effective fundraising materials.

What are Development Writers?

Development Writers are professionals who create persuasive written materials to support fundraising efforts for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and other entities. They craft grant proposals, donor communications, case statements, and other documents that help secure funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Development Writers work closely with fundraising teams and subject matter experts to clearly communicate an organization's mission, programs, and funding needs. Their writing is tailored to inspire potential donors and build lasting relationships. This role requires strong writing, research, and storytelling skills.

What Does a Development Writer Do?

A development writer is a liaison between a non-profit organization or foundation and the general public, including potential donors. In this career, your duties are to research prospects and draft written materials to help stakeholders understand the mission and goals of a non-profit. You also write and edit speeches to be delivered to the public. Your responsibilities also include overseeing advertising and promotions to make sure they align with the company’s policies and brand. As a development writer, you also participate in fundraising events by crafting informative communication to both increase the reach of the organization's efforts and solicit increased donations from donors.

What is the difference between Development Writer vs Content Writer?

AspectDevelopment WriterContent Writer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in English, Communications, or related fieldsOften requires similar credentials, but may accept diverse backgrounds
Work EnvironmentWorks in corporate, nonprofit, or grant-funded settings, focusing on proposals and reportsWorks across digital platforms, blogs, social media, and marketing content
Industry UsageCommon in nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutionsPrevalent in marketing, media, and advertising industries
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for writing scope and purposeCompared for style and audience engagement

Development Writers focus on creating proposals, grants, and reports to support organizational goals, often working in formal settings. Content Writers produce engaging digital content aimed at marketing and audience interaction. While both roles require strong writing skills and similar credentials, their work environments and objectives differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Development Writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Development Writer, you need strong writing, research, and storytelling skills, often supported by a background in communications, journalism, or English. Familiarity with donor management systems, fundraising platforms, and proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace is typically required. Excellent interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to tailor messages for diverse audiences help set outstanding candidates apart. These capabilities are crucial for crafting compelling fundraising materials that engage donors and support organizational growth.
More about Development Writer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Development Writer jobs in Washington, DC? For Development Writer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Development Writer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Development Writer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Development Writer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Writer job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $76,338 per year, or $36.7 per hour.
Proposal Writer

Proposal Writer

Forterra

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. They are seeking a skilled Proposal Writer to develop compelling proposal content and support various business development activities tailored to government and defense customers.
Responsibilities:
• Write, edit, and refine proposal content for U.S. Government and defense opportunities
• Support development of a broad range of business development materials, including: RFI responses, Sources Sought responses, Solution briefs, White papers, Capability statements, Executive summaries, Customer-facing briefing materials
• Other strategic pursuit and growth content
• Translate technical, operational, and programmatic inputs into clear, compelling, and customer-focused written responses
• Work with capture and growth teams to develop win themes, discriminators, and messaging that align with customer priorities
• Interview subject matter experts and cross-functional contributors to gather content and convert it into polished written products
• Ensure written materials are accurate, consistent, compliant, and aligned with solicitation or customer requirements
• Support proposal content development through storyboarding, outlining, drafting, editing, and incorporating review feedback
• Help tailor messaging and content to specific customers, missions, and opportunity strategies
• Maintain and improve reusable content libraries, templates, and writing standards
• Contribute to continuous improvement of proposal and business development writing processes, tools, and best practices
Qualifications:
Required:
• Relevant experience in proposal writing, proposal development, business development writing, technical writing, or federal/defense communications
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to turn complex inputs into clear and persuasive content
• Experience supporting U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or federal contracting pursuits
• Familiarity with proposal development and business development materials such as RFIs, sources sought, white papers, and solution briefs
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple assignments under deadline
• Ability to work effectively with technical, business, and executive stakeholders
• Strong verbal communication skills, including the ability to interview contributors and synthesize disparate inputs
• Ability to balance compliance, clarity, and persuasiveness in written responses
• High degree of ownership, responsiveness, and problem-solving ability
Preferred:
• Experience writing for defense, autonomy, robotics, software, mobility, or other advanced technology markets
• Previous experience with or a deep understanding of USG contracting and procurement processes
• Familiarity with federal acquisition and proposal processes
• Experience supporting both pre-RFP and live proposal efforts
• Experience editing contributions from multiple authors into a unified voice
• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Business, Political Science, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
Company:
Forterra delivers autonomous mission systems for defense. Founded in 2002, the company is headquartered in Clarksburg, USA, with a team of 501-1000 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.

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