Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Funding Specialist
💰 $55,000 - $85,000
FinanceNon-ProfitFundraisingDevelopmentGrant Writing
🎯 Role Definition
As our Funding Specialist, you will be the engine of our resource development team. You are a strategic thinker and a masterful communicator, responsible for the full lifecycle of grants and funding opportunities. From meticulous research and compelling proposal writing to nurturing long-term relationships with foundations and donors, your work will directly fuel our programs and expand our impact. We're looking for someone who is not just looking for a job, but a mission—a professional who can translate our organization's vision into persuasive narratives that inspire investment and partnership.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Grant Writing Coordinator
- Development Assistant
- Program Assistant
Advancement To:
- Senior Funding Specialist
- Grants Manager
- Director of Development
Lateral Moves:
- Communications Manager
- Program Manager
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Conduct comprehensive prospect research to identify, evaluate, and qualify potential funding sources, including foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individual major donors aligned with our mission.
- Develop, write, and submit compelling, high-quality grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and applications, ensuring that each submission is tailored to the funder's specific priorities and guidelines.
- Manage the entire grant lifecycle from pre-award research and application to post-award administration, including tracking, reporting, and compliance with all funder requirements.
- Collaborate closely with program, finance, and leadership teams to gather necessary information, data, and programmatic details to build strong, evidence-based funding cases.
- Create and manage detailed budgets for grant proposals in collaboration with the finance department, ensuring accuracy and alignment with both project needs and organizational financials.
- Cultivate and maintain strong, positive relationships with new and existing funders, serving as a primary point of contact and ensuring timely and professional communication.
- Develop and implement a strategic stewardship plan to engage and retain donors and grantors, providing regular updates on program impact and recognizing their contributions.
- Maintain a master calendar of all grant submission and reporting deadlines, proactively managing workflows to ensure all timelines are met without compromising quality.
- Prepare and submit timely and accurate programmatic and financial reports to funders, demonstrating the impact of their investment and ensuring compliance with grant agreements.
- Assist in the development and execution of the organization's annual fundraising strategy, providing key insights on the grants landscape and potential revenue streams.
- Maintain meticulous records of all fundraising activities, donor interactions, and grant submissions within our CRM database (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge).
- Analyze funding trends and data to inform fundraising strategy, identify gaps, and recommend new opportunities for revenue growth.
- Contribute to the creation of fundraising collateral, including annual reports, case statements, and donor-facing materials that articulate our story and impact.
- Support the planning and execution of fundraising events, appeals, and campaigns as needed to diversify the organization's funding base.
- Stay abreast of best practices in philanthropy, grant writing, and non-profit fundraising to continuously improve our development operations.
- Work with the leadership team to align funding strategies with the organization's long-term strategic plan and programmatic goals.
Secondary Functions
- Represent the organization at professional meetings, conferences, and funder briefings to build networks and stay informed about industry trends.
- Provide training and support to program staff on grant compliance, reporting requirements, and data collection for funding purposes.
- Coordinate site visits for current and prospective funders, ensuring a positive and informative experience that showcases our work effectively.
- Assist with the drafting of donor acknowledgment letters and other correspondence to ensure all contributors feel valued and appreciated.
- Support the communications team by providing content and stories of impact for use in newsletters, social media, and other public-facing channels.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Grant Writing & Proposal Development
- Prospect Research (using tools like Foundation Directory Online, GrantStation)
- CRM & Database Management (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or similar)
- Budgeting and Financial Acumen for Non-Profits
- Project Management Methodologies
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Soft Skills
- Exceptional Written and Verbal Communication
- Relationship Building & Interpersonal Skills
- Meticulous Attention to Detail and Accuracy
- Strategic and Analytical Thinking
- Time Management and Organizational Skills
- Persuasive Storytelling
- Collaboration and Teamwork
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor's Degree
Preferred Education:
- Master's Degree or certification in fundraising (e.g., CFRE)
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Non-Profit Management
- Communications
- English
- Public Administration
- Business
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years of professional experience in grant writing, fundraising, or a related development role.
Preferred: A proven track record of securing grants from foundation, corporate, and/or government sources. Experience in a mission-driven non-profit setting is highly desirable.