Writer Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Description

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage. Health savings account. 403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%).
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service.
  • Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available.
• Employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly)
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off

About

Volunteers of America, Utah is an affiliate of a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization that has served communities across the United States for more than 125 years. Volunteers of America, Utah's mission is to provide community-supported paths for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance. Our programs serve people experiencing challenges related to mental health, substance use, and homelessness. We encourage all who are passionate about making a difference, including individuals with lived experience, to apply.

Position Summary

The Grant Writer is responsible for writing and submitting grant proposals and reports to support VOA Utah's funding goals. This role ensures timely, high-quality grant submissions while coordinating with internal teams to meet funding requirements. The Grant Writer exercises independent judgment in evaluating funding opportunities, determining positioning with funders, and shaping proposal messaging and approach.

This position follows a hybrid work schedule. During the first 6-9 months, employees should expect to spend additional time in the office to build relationships, develop program knowledge, and support a successful onboarding experience. Following onboarding, the hybrid schedule may be reviewed based on demonstrated proficiency, organizational needs, and supervisor approval."

Essential Duties

• Write, edit, and submit grant proposals, LOIs, and reports for private foundations, corporations, and government agencies and other funding sources as needed.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 grant submissions annually, ensuring timely and high-quality completion.
• Research and identify new grant opportunities aligned with VOA Utah's mission and programs.
• Help build and maintain a pipeline of prospective funders, including tracking deadlines, requirements, and submission schedules.
• Evaluate funding opportunities for alignment, competitiveness, and return on investment. Independently evaluate funding opportunities for alignment, competitiveness, and return on investment, and make recommendations on whether to pursue, defer, or decline opportunities.
• Customize proposals to align with funder priorities, agency programs, and measurable outcomes.
• Prepare and submit proposals through electronic portals (e.g., private foundation portals, grants.gov, JustGrants, and state/local systems).
• Maintain and update the organization's case for support to ensure consistent, accurate, and current messaging across all grant submissions.

Secondary Duties

• Collaborate with program, data, and finance staff to gather data, outcomes, and budget information.
• Manage grant timelines, including drafting, internal review, and submission deadlines.
• Lead internal coordination to ensure proposals are accurate, complete, and submitted on time.
• Prepare and submit grant reports in accordance with funder requirements.
• Track grant outcomes and ensure compliance with funding guidelines.
• Maintain organized grant files and documentation in shared systems (project management tool, Google Drive, S Drive).
• Track grant pipeline, submissions, and outcomes to support reporting and forecasting.

Requirements

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Direct lived experience with homelessness, mental illness and/ or substance use and basic knowledge of community resources which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Bachelor's degree or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• 3-5 years of grant writing and/or prospect research experience, preferably in a nonprofit setting.
• Demonstrated success securing funding from private, corporate, and/or government sources.
• Strong writing, research, and organizational skills.
• Experience managing multiple deadlines and complex projects.
• Familiarity with grant databases and submission systems preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Drive and ability to learn CRM/project management tools.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritize workload.
• Commitment to the mission of Volunteers of America, Utah.

Additional Requirements

• This position follows a hybrid work schedule with an expectation that some work days will be spent working in office. Regular travel between VOA Utah program locations within Salt Lake County is required. Remaining work time may be performed remotely, subject to supervisor approval and organizational needs. 
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and work on a computer.
• Occasionally required to attend meetings outside of standard business hours.