Grants & Development Associate
Remote (Work hours will be Eastern Standard Time)
Salary
$55,000 - $60,000 annually, commensurate with experience
About HomeFree-USA
HomeFree-USA is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the homeownership gap, strengthening communities, and creating pathways to economic opportunity. Through innovative housing counseling, workforce development, affordable housing, and financial wellness initiatives, HomeFree-USA serves families and communities across the country while supporting a network of more than 50 nonprofit affiliates operating in 22 states and 174 rural counties.
Position Summary
HomeFree-USA is seeking a highly organized and persuasive writer to fulfill the Grants & Development Associate role. This is a growth-oriented position designed for someone who wants to become an exceptional grant writer, fundraiser, and nonprofit professional. You will play a critical role in securing and managing philanthropic, corporate, and foundation funding that advances HomeFree-USA's mission.
You will assist with grant writing and lead grant management activities, maintain funding and impact data within Salesforce, monitor program outcomes, prepare reports for funders, and support the cultivation of new corporate and foundation partnerships through proposal development and prospect research.
This position is ideal for an early-to-mid career nonprofit professional looking to expand their grant writing, proposal development, and nonprofit fundraising expertise. You’ll work closely with the Director of Development, who provides guidance, mentorship, and final review of major funding submissions.
If you’re a strong writer who enjoys strategic fundraising, operational excellence, and a fun/uplifting work environment, please feel empowered to apply. The candidate will report to the Director of Development and should be comfortable operating in a professional environment that occasionally communicates through memes and gifs.
Why Join Our Team?
- Your work will be seen. This is not a role where your proposals disappear into layers of management. You'll work directly with senior leadership and see the impact of your efforts.
- You'll learn fundraising beyond grants. Exposure to corporate partnerships, sponsorships, foundation fundraising, and nonprofit strategy.
- Flexibility Matters. Work from wherever you are, provided you're available during Eastern Time business hours.
- Professional growth is expected. We actively invest in helping team members build skills, take on new responsibilities, and advance their careers.
- We have a sense of humor. We take our mission seriously, but know when to unwind. Memes, gifs, and laughter are welcome.
- National impact with a small-team feel. HomeFree-USA supports communities across the country while maintaining the accessibility and collaboration of a smaller organization.
- Direct access to leadership. You won't spend years waiting for a seat at the table.
- Room to grow. As HomeFree-USA expands, we prefer to create opportunities for existing staff before looking externally.
- We value ideas, not titles. Good ideas can come from anyone on the team.
- We hire for potential, not perfection. If you're a strong writer, curious, organized, and eager to learn, we'd rather train the right person than hold out for a unicorn.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Grant Management & Reporting
- Draft, review, and submit grant applications, reports, and funding proposals.
- Manage the full lifecycle of grants from application through reporting and closeout.
- Track grant deliverables, reporting deadlines, funding commitments, and compliance requirements.
- Monitor program outcomes and impact metrics for reporting to funders and organizational leadership.
- Collaborate with program staff to collect data, success stories, and outcomes needed for proposals and reports.
- Prepare regular grant status updates and funding reports for leadership.
Proposal Development & Corporate Partnerships
- Draft funding requests, sponsorship proposals, and partnership materials for corporate and foundation partners.
- Research prospective corporate, foundation, and philanthropic funding opportunities.
- Review Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and identify opportunities aligned with HomeFree-USA programs and strategic priorities.
- Assist with prospect cultivation activities and follow-up communications.
Salesforce & Data Management
- Maintain accurate grant, partner, and prospect records within Salesforce.
- Perform weekly Salesforce hygiene reviews to ensure funding commitments, contact records, notes, and opportunity status are current.
- Generate reports and dashboards related to grants, funding pipelines, and program outcomes.
- Provide monthly funding commitment reports to department and program leaders.
Relationship Management & Administrative Support
- Take detailed notes and track action items during staff meetings, funder meetings, and partner touchpoint calls.
- Send outreach materials, videos, and organizational information to prospective partners following discovery meetings.
- Coordinate follow-up meetings and maintain communication with prospective funders and partners.
- Prepare brief prospect research reports outlining organizational priorities, community engagement strategies, giving interests, and geographic footprints prior to meetings.
- Support the development team in achieving annual fundraising and partnership goals.
Qualifications:
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Marketing, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of three (3) years of nonprofit experience.
- Experience drafting, editing, coordinating, or supporting successful grant applications.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
Preferred
- Experience using Salesforce desired.
- Experience with corporate partnerships and foundation fundraising.
- Knowledge of housing, community development, financial capability, workforce development, or related nonprofit sectors is helpful.
- Experience monitoring outcomes and preparing funder reports.
Core Competencies
- Excellent writing and editing skills.
- Strong research and analytical abilities.
- Relationship management.
- Initiative and self-motivation.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a dispersed team.
Travel Requirements
Minimal travel required. Expected to be about 10 days per year.
Benefits
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- Health insurance.
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) with employer matching.
- Paid Vacation Days
- 12 Paid Holidays plus your Birthday
- Paid Sick Leave
- Professional development opportunities.
- Opportunity for advancement and increased responsibility as the organization continues to grow.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit a resume and introductory cover letter. Candidates selected for interviews will be asked to submit a writing sample demonstrating successful proposal development experience. Feel free to submit this proactively.
HomeFree-USA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We recognize that not everyone will fit the preferred requirements exactly and encourage your application if your experience is close.
Lastly, we are not seeking consultants offering fractional work.
Pay: $55,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Remote
