Contract Grant Research, Writing & Funding Strategy Consultant
Potential Path to Full-Time Employment
Location: Jacksonville, FL Hybrid (if in Jacksonville) remote - possible
Type: Independent Contractor (20–30 hours/week, flexible)
Contract Term: Initial 6-month contract with opportunity for renewal and potential transition to full-time employment
Compensation: Competitive hourly or project-based rate, based on experience
About the Opportunity
The Museum is seeking a strategic and highly effective Grant Research, Writing & Funding Strategy Consultant to help secure philanthropic investment and build a sustainable funding pipeline for one of the region's most significant cultural and educational initiatives.
This role is ideal for someone who excels at research, persuasive writing, prospect development, and long-range funding strategy. The successful candidate will help identify and cultivate new grant opportunities, develop compelling proposals, manage grant submissions and reporting, and support fundraising efforts that will advance the Museum's vision over the next three to five years.
This position offers the opportunity to work directly with senior leadership on institutional growth, capital initiatives, educational programming, community engagement, and long-term sustainability planning.
Key Responsibilities
Grant Research & Prospect Development
- Research and identify foundation, corporate, government, and community funding opportunities.
- Develop and maintain a robust grants pipeline aligned with organizational priorities.
- Build prospect profiles and funding forecasts for short- and long-term opportunities.
- Evaluate funder giving trends, priorities, and historical investments.
- Continuously expand the organization's portfolio of prospective funders.
Grant Writing & Proposal Development
- Write and submit compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, sponsorship requests, and funding applications.
- Translate complex projects, programs, and strategic initiatives into persuasive funding narratives.
- Collaborate with staff and leadership to gather data, budgets, outcomes, and supporting materials.
- Ensure all submissions are compliant, accurate, and aligned with funder requirements.
Funding Strategy & Forecasting
- Develop annual and multi-year grant revenue forecasts.
- Create a 5 year grant funding strategy designed to grow institutional, programmatic, and capital support.
- Identify funding gaps and recommend opportunities to diversify revenue streams.
- Support leadership in prioritizing opportunities with the highest likelihood of success and return on investment.
- Provide recommendations for foundation cultivation and long-term relationship-building.
Grant Management & Reporting
- Track proposals, awards, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
- Prepare grant reports, stewardship communications, and impact summaries.
- Maintain accurate records within fundraising and grants management systems.
- Monitor grant performance and funding outcomes against established goals.
Strategic Partnership Support
- Conduct research on foundations, corporations, and public funding sources.
- Prepare briefing materials for meetings with prospective funders and partners.
- Support relationship cultivation efforts through prospect research and strategy recommendations.
Qualifications
Required
- Minimum 5 years of experience in grant writing, fundraising, nonprofit development, communications, research, or a related field.
- Proven success securing foundation, corporate, and/or government funding.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
- Strong research and analytical capabilities.
- Ability to independently manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills.
Preferred
- Experience in museums, education, arts and culture, science centers, or community-serving nonprofits.
- Familiarity with capital campaigns and major institutional initiatives.
- Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM systems.
- Experience developing funding forecasts and multi-year fundraising strategies.
Ideal Candidate
You are:
- A gifted writer who can craft compelling cases for support.
- Naturally curious and energized by research.
- Strategic and able to think beyond individual grants to long-term funding growth.
- Skilled at identifying opportunities and creating systems that drive results.
- Comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with executive leadership.
- Passionate about education, culture, STEM/STEAM learning, and community impact.
Success Measures
Within the first 12 months, the consultant will:
- Build and maintain a qualified grant pipeline with opportunities spanning the next 5 years.
- Develop a multi-year funding forecast and grants strategy.
- Identify and secure new foundation, corporate, and government funding prospects.
- Submit high-quality and timely grant proposals and reports.
- Establish systems for grant tracking, forecasting, and stewardship.
- Support growth in institutional funding and long-term philanthropic partnerships.
Future Opportunity
This contract position is designed to support the Museum's growth during a transformational period. For the right candidate, there is potential for the role to evolve into a permanent leadership position focused on grants, institutional giving, and strategic fundraising.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Jacksonville, FL 32202
