Grant Specialist

Jewish Family & Children's Service of the Suncoast, Inc.; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Jewish Family & Children's Service of the Suncoast, Inc. is seeking a Grant Specialist to support a robust grant program and reporting calendar. You will cultivate funder relationships, identify new opportunities, and assist with corporate sponsorships and volunteer activities.

The role focuses on fundraising growth, grant development, and donor stewardship within a collaborative Development & Marketing team, contributing to JFCS’s mission and community impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, nonprofit management, or a similar field; experience in development with a human services agency preferred.
• Budget and financial literacy.
• At least three years of fundraising and donor relations experience with a proven track record of building and sustaining funder relationships and meeting revenue goals.
• Demonstrated success preparing and submitting grant proposals, including cultivating relationships with foundations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and submit grant reports and documentation required by funders (progress/final/financial reports).
• Manage grant deadlines and the master grant tracker; ensure timely reporting.
• Identify new foundation, corporate, and grant opportunities aligned with JFCS programs and priorities.
• Assist with proposals that represent JFCS programs and funder priorities; cultivate relationships with funders.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Time management

Organizational skills

Event planning

Fundraising

Donor relations

CRM proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications/marketing/nonprofit management

Tools

DonorPerfect

Constant Contact

Job description

Description

About the Department:

The Development & Marketing Department is responsible for fundraising, promoting JFCS and engaging with our community. Key functions include:

Key functions include:

• Fundraising – securing funding from individual donors, businesses, public and private foundations, community organizations and others
• Public Relations – managing our public image and communicating our successes
• Digital Marketing – utilizing social media, email campaigns and our website to reach a wider audience
• Content Creation – developing engaging content that highlights our impact and the issues we address
• Community Outreach – connecting with others to foster partnership and support

Job Summary:

The Grant Specialist is a key member of the Development team. This role supports the growth of JFCS by maintaining a strong grant program, managing grant reporting and deadlines, identifying new grant opportunities, cultivating relationships with funders, and assisting with corporate sponsorships and volunteer activities.

Requirements

Grant Management and Reporting

• Prepare and submit all grant reports and documentation required by each funder, including progress reports, final reports, financial reports tied to restricted funds, and other required documentation
• Manage grant deadlines and the grant calendar, including the master grant tracker
• Track reporting requirements and ensure reports are submitted on time

Grant Identification and Development

• Identify new foundation, corporate, and other grant opportunities aligned with JFCS programs and priorities
• Work with the Director of Philanthropy/Donor Relations Officer to prioritize larger opportunities and assist with proposal development and submission
• Prepare proposals that accurately represent JFCS programs, outcomes, and funder priorities
• Develop new foundation relationships, maintain existing funder relationships, and cultivate prospects for JFCS programs and services

Sponsorships and Fundraising Support

• Assist with securing corporate and financial sponsorships, including researching and soliciting corporate donations
• Support annual fundraising efforts, including corporate sponsor activities
• Assist in planning and executing fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events
• Support volunteer activities related to fundraising and events

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, nonprofit management, or a similar field; experience in development with a human services agency preferred
• Budget and financial literacy
• A minimum of three years of fundraising and donor relations experience, with a proven track record of building and sustaining funder relationships and meeting revenue goals
• Demonstrated success preparing and submitting grant proposals, including cultivating relationships with foundations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, time management, and organizational skills
• Experience planning and executing volunteer, fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events
• Ability to meet deadlines and achieve activity and revenue goals
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRMs such as DonorPerfect and Constant Contact preferred
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment
• Commitment to cultural competency and working with diverse populations
• Ability to attend a range of volunteer and networking events to promote JFCS
• Passion for JFCS’s mission and ability to inspire donors

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, nonprofit management or similar field required; Experience in development with a human services agency preferred
• Budget and financial literacy
• A minimum of three years’ fundraising and donor relations experience with a proven track record of building and sustaining donor/funder relationships and meeting revenue goals
• Demonstrated success in preparing and submitting grant proposals, including cultivating relationships with foundations

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, time management, and organizational skills
• Experience planning and executing volunteer, fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events
• Ability to meet deadlines and achieve activity and revenue goalsProficiency in Microsoft Office and CRMs such as DonorPerfect and Constant Contact preferred
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment
• Commitment to cultural competency and working with diverse populations
• Ability to attend a range of volunteer and networking events to promote JFCS
• Passion for JFCS’s mission and ability to inspire donors

Training Requirements:

• Completion of all required agency-wide and program-specific training courses.

Physical Requirements:

• Desk work with computer usage for extended periods
• Occasional irregular hours and capacity to work under pressure
• Must be able to travel to off-site meetings during and outside of typical business hours