Discovery

Objective:

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Grant writer is responsible for preparing and

producing grant proposals and solicitations for funding. The Grant writer researches and

recommends funding opportunities; develops solicitations and proposals for general operating

needs, Discovery programs/exhibits and capital projects; prepares progress and final reports to

donors; and maintains grant information in the departmental database. Audiences include

institutional and family foundations, corporations, nonprofit partners, higher education

institutions and government sources.

Job functions:

• Prepare grant proposals for foundations (institutional and family), corporations and government entities that make a compelling case for financial support and address identified organizational funding priorities.
• In collaboration with the Director of Development, research, identify and gather information on fundable projects.
• Maintain an organization-wide grants deadline calendar using available database tools.
• Prepare interim and final project reports to funding sources on a regular and scheduled basis working with education, finance and other departments to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• Research and recommend funding opportunities from a broad range of sources, linking their compatibility with organizational needs.
• Conduct research to locate data that supports case statements for grant proposals and reports. This may include data collection and surveys of literature from a variety of sources (e.g., Discovery staff, Altru admissions database, government officials and reports, program experts, directories, guest testimonials, etc.).
• Schedule trustee site visits and include key staff, including the President/CEO, Director of Development and Chief Operating Officer in meetings, as appropriate.
• Make recommendations on strategies, policies and procedures related to proposals and Development fundraising goals.
• Maintain accurate database records and donor files.
• Communicate regularly with appropriate teams and departments on the status of pending proposals.
• Represent The Discovery at internal and external meetings.
• Keep Charity Navigator and other nonprofit donor evaluation tools updated.
• Assume other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Development.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required – Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Finance, Business, Political Science or Liberal Arts or related.
• At least three years professional grant writing, nonprofit experience, preferably with an education-focused organization.
• Successful, quantifiable track record of funded grant proposals at local, state, federal level.
• Able to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with other staff members, museum members, donors, vendors and suppliers.
• IT literate: Above average competency with word processors, CRM databases, spreadsheets, project management software and web applications, e.g. Microsoft Office, Outlook, Altru, Candid or other donor/research databases.

Necessary skills:

• Enthusiasm and passion for The Discovery’s mission to inspire by being the place to nexperience science.
• Demonstrated writing ability for a public audience and for formal proposals/reports.
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal, written/verbal communications and customer service skills to work effectively with people of diverse talents and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated excellence in problem solving and analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational and project management skills; prioritizing multiple projects in order to meet individual and departmental deadlines.
• Ability to remain current with standard policies and procedures.
• Working knowledge of office practices, procedures and business writing.
• Ability to plan work efficiently to meet the departmental budgets, goals and objectives.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

Characteristics:

• Self-starter, must be able to perform with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work within a team and use internal and external resources to perform at a high level.
• Ability to creatively problem solve and make recommendations to Director of Development and other staff as appropriate.
• Excellent verbal and written communications, professional appearance/demeanor.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt to change.
• Must have strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work extended hours, evening and weekends, in and out of The Discovery as needed.
• Possible light lifting.
• Valid driver’s license.

Environment:

General office environment. Work is sedentary in nature but may require standing or walking

for up to 10% of the time. Work is generally performed within an office environment, with

standard office equipment available. Occasional manual labor required for special events.