Grants Specialist
The Grants Specialist is primarily responsible for writing, developing, and reporting high quality grant proposal narratives, applications, and supporting documents. They are responsible for coordinating and strategizing an overall grants management plan aligned with agency program development in close collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Program Directors to support Imua Family Services and our business priorities. The Grants Specialist is responsible for diversifying Imua Family Services grants funding streams. The Grants Specialist is responsible for raising awareness about the mission and the strategic development plan of Imua Family Services and the vital role the agency plays in serving children and families in our community within its grant requests and reporting and doing the research necessary to execute competitive grant submissions with supporting data. The Grants Specialist is also responsible for helping to create, maintain and vet agency metrics in a systemic way that are easily queried and collected to perpetuate the growth of the agency long term.
The Grant Specialist will work closely with Program Directors to implement strategies that support the agencies objectives and values. This position requires someone who has excellent judgment, a high regard for confidentiality, and the skill to quickly gain the trust of employees and maintain that trust.
The Grant Specialist is responsible for targeting financial grants goals to support the fiscal year operating budget with special emphasis on cultivating new foundations and grant support. Responsibilities include leading research, writing, organizing and submission of grant proposals, submissions of Letters of Intent, grant reports and other materials or correspondence needed to support Imua Family fundraising and program development goals. The Grant Specialist is a storyteller who can glean information from a wide range of sources to weave a compelling narrative and case for support. The Grant Specialist will work with the agency program directors to ensure the proper collection of program data is being recorded, and that they are meeting the responsibilities and deadlines of their programs grants and funding. As we begin to expand the work of Imua Discovery Garden, a host of new grant opportunities, programs and funding can be explored to expand the depth and breadth of the agency.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Grant Development and Reporting
- Maintaining proficient knowledge of organization’s history and programs.
- Work with department managers to compile financials and data.
- Identify proper contact person(s) for each grant and work with CEO to cultivate relationships before applying, as appropriate.
- Manage the proposal submission process to ensure timely submission of all required materials.
- Coordinate and follow-up on the progress of submitted proposals.
- Manage the reporting process to ensure timely compliance for each grant.
- Works with the CEO & CFO to develop annual grants strategy and adjust as needed throughout the year to meet the organization’s overall funding strategy.
- Maintains a proposal calendar as dictated by annual grants strategy
- Conduct prospect research to identify, cultivate and solicit new grants and reports findings to CEO & CFO
- Keeps accurate data on all aspects of grants activity and records data within the database
- Research and identify potential funding sources and grant funding opportunities from private, corporate and government philanthropic sectors.
- Maintain and oversee Grants Tracking, keeping the program directors aware of timelines and reports as needed.
- Assist program directors in their efforts to apply, write and submit grants and funding opportunities.
- Work with program directors and CEO to gather information necessary to report to corporate/foundation funders on current grant programs.
- Works with the CFO to create necessary budget information to support grant submissions and reports.
- Assisting agency to comply with all grant reporting as required by foundation/corporate donors.
- Collaborating with CEO and other agency directors to send funders newsletters, updates, and to promote on-site tours
- Other duties as assigned.
Employee Standards
Customary Compliance
- Adheres to agency rules, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Assists in care and maintenance of agency equipment and supplies.
- Provides proper notification when late or absent by following policies and procedures.
Fiscal Responsibility
- Adheres to administrative procedures for the agency.
- Manages equipment, materials, supplies and time within budget.
Quality Improvement
- Uses the values, philosophy, tools and techniques of quality improvement to support the organization’s quality in all daily work.
- Actively participates in quality improvement education.
- Actively participates in committees, teams and task forces as requested.
- Develops and adheres to action plans for performance improvement and understands what is necessary to meet agency’s need and expectations.
Mission
- Exhibits a commitment to the organization’s mission.
- Can interact in a positive and helpful manner with participants, visitors, volunteers, other agencies and staff.
- Respects the dignity of all by maintaining their privacy, confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.
- Reflects commitment to building a supportive work environment and maintains a positive attitude in the work place toward the job; refraining from gossip and negative attitude/behavior.
- Projects a good image in dealing with the public and is willing to make an extra effort to help build a high quality and caring social services organization.
- Demonstrates the ability and sensitivity to work with diverse cultures within the community.
Effective Communication
- Demonstrates effective communication skills by conveying necessary information accurately and concisely, listening effectively and asking pertinent questions.
- Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with other programs and staff as well as having the ability to read, write and understand written material effectively to meet the job requirements.
Staff Relations
- Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with participants, staff and others using a humanistic attitude (anticipates needs; is respectful, honest, caring, and courteous).
- Interacts with fellow workers in a way that promotes a harmonious and cooperative working environment.
Qualifications: Other qualifications listed below are needed to adequately fulfill essential job duties. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree or a degree equivalent from an accredited College/University required.
- Minimum experience of 3 years in grant writing, fund development and non-profit work.
Language Skills
- Ability to read and write and comprehend complex instructions and correspondence.
- Ability to effectively present information in a one-on-one and group situation to clients, community partners, agency personnel and Board members of the organization.
Reasoning Ability
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written and oral instructions.
- Ability to apply problem solving skills in concrete and variable situations.
Computer Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Bloomerang (or comparable nonprofit CRM), Grants.gov Workspace, Adobe Acrobat. Preferred: Foundation Directory Online, Candid, Instrumentl, Submittable, Foundant, project management tools (Asana, Monday, or Trello), Knowledgeable with AI-assisted research and drafting tools.
- Use and knowledge of how to use networking and servers for electronic files.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of their job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
General:
In performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to drive, walk, sit, communicate and listen to families and other agencies. The employee is required to reach, stoop, bend, kneel and crouch. The employee should have manual dexterity to be able to file, type, and accomplish general office tasks specific to job duties of this position. The employee should be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus
Specifics that may be required depending on the child’s needs:
- Position may require stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
- Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects sometimes up and down stairs.
- Use of CPI or other formal child restraints as a last resort to maintain safety when encountering extreme challenging behaviors such as aggression and self-injury.
Travel
Required to travel within Maui County via different modes of transportation (e.g., car, airplane, boat, etc.) to provide services as required by the position and for meetings, seminars and trainings to locations within Maui County and other Hawaiian Islands. Mainland travel may be required.
Work Environment
Works in different environments as required by essential job functions. These environments includes but are not limited to; (a) a business office with computers, printers, copiers, telephone and video conference equipment, (b) a home environment and or in a day care or classroom setting with children and educational material, early childhood equipment, toys and an outdoor playground, and (c) a community setting.
The above information on this description has been designated to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory, or all duties, responsibilities and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
EEO STATEMENT: As an EEO employer, Imua Family Services will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, serious medical condition or status as a protected veteran or spousal affiliation. Imua Family Services hires only U.S. citizens and individuals lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.
