Grant Specialist

United Way Worldwide; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

United Way of South Hampton Roads seeks a Grant Specialist to drive the full lifecycle of our grant portfolio, from research through reporting. You’ll collaborate across departments to identify funding opportunities and craft compelling proposals aligned with community priorities.

Responsibilities include prospect research, proposal development, grant management, and timely compliance. A strong writer and project manager will help build relationships and steward funders to maximize impact in our

Responsibilities

• Grant Prospecting & Research: Research and monitor foundation, corporate, government, and other funding opportunities aligned with UWSHR priorities and programs.
• Grant Writing & Proposal Development: Coordinate grant applications from planning through submission, managing requirements, timelines, contributors, approvals, and grant portals.
• Draft and edit compelling proposals, letters of inquiry, narratives.

Job description

Position Title: Grant Specialist ($55,000 - $62,000)Department: Resource DevelopmentReport To: Director of Strategic InitiativesDate Created: September 2026FLSA Status: ExemptWhy Work for United Way:Do you want to leave work every day knowing that you have made an impact? At United Way ofSouth Hampton Roads (UWSHR), you’ll work in a fun and supportive environment where everyday is a new opportunity to make a difference. If you talk to our employees, the single trait we allhave in common is passion. We work hard because we love what we do and we know howmuch our community needs us. Plus, we offer excellent benefits and opportunities foradvancement. If you want to be great while doing good, join the United Way team.

Objectives & Expectations:The Grant Specialist manages United Way of South Hampton Roads' grant portfolio across thefull grant lifecycle, including prospect research, proposal development and submission, grantmanagement, reporting, compliance, and funder stewardship. Working across departments, theGrant Specialist identifies and evaluates funding opportunities, develops compelling proposals,manages grant requirements and deadlines, and ensures accurate, timely reporting andcompliance.

The successful candidate will be a strong writer, researcher, and project manager who can buildeffective relationships across teams and develop a deep understanding of UWSHR’s programs,priorities, and community needs.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion:We take the broadest possible view of diversity.We value the visible and invisible qualities that make you who you are.We welcome that every person brings a unique perspective and experience to advance ourmission and progress our fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person inevery community.We believe that each United Way community member, donor, volunteer, advocate, andemployee must have equal access to solving community problems.We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at the center of our daily work.We commit to using these practices for our business and our communities.

Cultural Competence:The Grant Specialist applies a lens of cultural competence that conveys empathy, support, andan understanding of the people and communities they work with, both internally and externally.This competency helps build trust and effective engagement, strengthen relationships, expand

UWSHR’s reach, and ensure that data, investments, processes, and partnerships areapproached in a respectful and equitable manner.Core Competencies are characteristics that all employees are expected to exhibit as amember of the UWSHR team. These include:

• Mission Focused: The top priority is creating real social change that leads to betterlives and healthier communities.
• Relationship Oriented: Understands that people come before process and is astute incultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.
• Collaborator: Understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the communityand can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.
• Results Driven: Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good;creating, resourcing, scaling and leveraging strategies and innovations for broadinvestment and impact.
• Brand Steward: Understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation andresults of the organization, and thus, the greater network.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Grant Prospecting & Research

• Research and monitor foundation, corporate, government, and other fundingopportunities aligned with UWSHR priorities and programs.
• Evaluate prospective opportunities for funder alignment, eligibility, competitiveness,requirements, and organizational fit; provide recommendations on opportunities topursue.
• Maintain the grant pipeline and track recurring opportunities and application cycles tosupport proactive planning.

Grant Writing & Proposal Development

• Coordinate grant applications from planning through submission, managingrequirements, timelines, contributors, approvals, and grant portals.
• Draft and edit compelling proposals, letters of inquiry, narratives