Looking to make a difference! Become a Defender!
Who is the Defender Association?
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We’re the community’s lawyers. The Defender team – more than 500 attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrators, and other staff – make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to high-quality defense when facing criminal charges. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Follow us @PhilllyDefenders (Twitter, Instagram & TikTok) and on LinkedIn.
The Grant Specialist will support the mission of the Defender Association of Philadelphia and is responsible for all aspects of grant activities in compliance with the organization’s goals and objectives. Reporting to the Director of Policy, the Grant Specialist will collaborate with all Units to play an essential role in fundraising to support the Defender’s critical initiatives across Units that require external funding, in deepening relationships with current foundation funders/potential funders, and in furthering the organization’s growth goals by identifying new funding opportunities. The Grant Specialist oversees the grant application process from beginning to end as well as writing grant proposals and reports, producing responses to government RFPs (Request for Proposals), and researching foundations and other potential funding opportunities. Working closely with the executive and management teams of all our Units and staff across the organization, the Grant Specialist plays an essential role in Defender’s identification of funding needs, fundraising and program growth. This is a hybrid position.
What You’ll Do
• Researches various types of grants available to further our strategic initiatives, criminal justice reform initiatives, indigent defense, youth justice, child advocacy, community education and non-profit leadership/training development and identifies the criteria to qualify for each.
• Discusses available sources of funding with the executive and management teams. Prioritizes funding needs.
• Compiles necessary information and verifies its accuracy for the application process through collaboration with other employees, database research, and other factfinding actions and meetings.
• Works closely with Finance Departments to develop grant budgets and budget narratives
• Writes concise, articulate and persuasive grant proposals and narratives
• Drafts and completes grant applications according to application requirements.
• Ensures grant is submitted on time and within application parameters.
• Completes all documents, forms, or reports required by the grant.
• Ensures compliance with all awarded grant requirements, including reports and deliverables
• Coordinates the monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects that are funded by grants.
• Serves as a liaison to funding agencies
• Develops relationships with new and existing funders.
• Develops and maintains master files on grants and paperwork connected to programs funded by grants.
• Incorporates criminal legal system information into required documents
• Assists with Community Education and other development projects
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
What You’ll Need
• Ability to adapt to changing needs of the Defender Association and to work collaboratively with all Defender staff
• A minimum of three years of experience in grant writing, research, submission, and management
• Experience with or strong knowledge of non-profit fundraising landscape
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and familiarity with publishing software
• Familiarity with eGrants or JustGrants a plus
• Excellent interpersonal skills, problem-solving capabilities, and collaboration
• Exemplary writing skills; ability to write clear, articulate, and persuasive proposals
• Robust editing skills with attention to detail
• Occasional travel to community events and funders
• Requires full Covid vaccination or approved exemption request
Benefits & Perks
• Very generous and rich benefits plan with many employer paid benefit
• Substantial paid time off
• Salary commensurate with experience
• Hybrid schedule
• 401(b) with Employer Match
• Meaningful & Impactful Work
• Growth Opportunities
• Ongoing Training and Development of You
To Apply:
Please submit your resume and cover letter online. Please check us out at our website.
