City Life/Vida Urbana (CLVU) is a 49-year-old multilingual community-based organization that organizes, supports, and develops the leadership of tenants and small homeowners facing eviction, rent increases, unhealthy conditions, foreclosure, or gentrification in Greater Boston. CLVU also plays an anchor role in our statewide and local housing justice movement. We are currently in a moment of organizational growth, requiring the need to expand our resources as we plan for our 50th Anniversary, which we expect to provide significant fundraising opportunities.

Our grant budget accounts for 61% of our annual revenue. Our largest philanthropic partners are local hospitals and social justice organizations. We cultivate a team approach in organizing, administrative, and fundraising work and share responsibility in achieving campaign goals. Our FY23 Organizational Budget is $2.4 million.

The Grant Writer is primarily responsible for managing the grant proposal process, which includes but is not limited to the following: Identifying funding opportunities, research, gathering input from the Executive Leadership Team, Organizing Staff and Administrative Staff. writing and submitting grant proposals, and submitting timely reports.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Committed to fighting for racial, social, and economic justice
• Ability to tell a concise, compellingly written story
• Able to seek and synthesize information and communicate it in a concise form
• Able to balance competing priorities while meeting deadline

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Preferred Capacities, Skills, & Experience:

• Professional or volunteer grant writing experience, preferably within social justice or base-building organizations. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Organized and meticulous with details.
• Excellent project management skills and ability to prioritize work and resources.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to be discreet with personal information that may be needed for some grants, such as employee salaries or upcoming projects.
• Strong understanding of budget & program development
• Knowledge of grant writing techniques and sources of funding for non-profit organizations
• Strong analytical & research skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Track record of measuring and achieving revenue targets
• Strong understanding of data analytics, including tracking and evaluation
• We highly encourage people with lived experience of facing and fighting displacement to apply to this position.xx

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Key Responsibilities: 

Grant Writing

• Lead the process for developing and submitting foundation proposals and grant reports by preparing and organizing materials for proposals, submitting/monitoring grant applications, and reporting on grant outcomes. 
• Develop well-researched, tailored, and persuasive proposals, letters of inquiry, letters of support, and acknowledgment letters, including grant budgets and reports
• Maintain and manage grants calendar and master files on potential funders, current funders, and grant opportunities
• Work with the Communications Team to support the organization's overall efforts by working with our members to create personal vignettes of how City Life / Vida Urbana has impacted their lives and communities. 
• Initiate ongoing communication with the Director of Development, Director of Impact & Evaluation, Co-Executive Directors, staff, and member leaders to understand and analyze funding needs, gaps, and opportunities. 
• Research and cultivate new relationships, funding opportunities, and partnerships. 
• Work with the Director of Development to develop strategic relationships with the philanthropic sector maintain and manage grants calendar and maintain master files on potential funders, current funders, and grant opportunities

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Supporting Roles

• Assist the Development Team in developing systems and processes to support the organization’s overall fundraising, such as developing a case statement, major donor proposals, and member vignettes. 
• Work with the Director of Development and the Director of Impact & Evaluation to ensure systems are in place to measure grant effectiveness.
• Manage the organization’s CRM (customer relationship management) system to ensure accurate and updated information for foundation contacts
• Work with the Finance Manager to ensure accurate accounting and invoicing for grant funding.

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Reports to: Director of Development

Salary & Benefits: Salary range for this position is $48,800-$65,000 annually. Benefits include:

• Medical and Dental Insurance at no cost for individual and family
• Health Reimbursement Account 
• Retirement Plan with employer contribution
• Paid Vacation (3 weeks) and paid holidays (12 days) annually. 

City Life/Vida Urbana is committed to hiring people represented by the diverse communities we serve. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+, and those from working class backgrounds to apply.

To Apply:

• Email cover letter, resume, and two grant writing samples to: [email protected] 
• Subject: Grant Writer
• Application Deadline: January 10th, 2023