Grant Writer

Inside Philanthropy; Glendale, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous time off

Comprehensive benefits

Technology reimbursement

Job summary

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) is seeking a Grant Writer to identify, pursue, and secure public and private funding to sustain and grow services for low-income communities in Los Angeles County.

The role reports to the Director of Development and requires exceptional writing, strategic thinking, and experience with government grants, deadlines, and budgets. Hybrid work and occasional travel are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, English, or related field, or comparable work experience.
• 3+ years' grant writing experience with a track record of securing public funding.
• Ability to translate complex legal/policy/programmatic information into clear proposals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and storytelling skills.
• Experience leveraging AI tools to enhance grant research, drafting, and editing.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities.
• Knowledge of grant research resources and fundraising sourcing.

Responsibilities

• Research and assess funding opportunities to support civil legal services for low-income communities.
• Navigate platforms to identify possible funding opportunities.
• Translate program needs into strong grant narratives with case examples.
• Write and submit letters of inquiry, concept papers, and grant proposals to various government agencies.
• Create and maintain databases to track grant applications.
• Collaborate with Development and Fiscal staff to develop budgets for proposals.
• Work in a hybrid model with on-site days and remote work when possible.
• Travel to program offices and courthouses across LA County as needed.

Skills

Grant writing experience

Research skills

Writing skills

Editing skills

Storytelling skills

AI tools usage

Deadline management

Multitasking

English fluency

Interpersonal skills

Professionalism

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Policy

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Change Lives and Transform Communities - Join Our Development Team!

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) provides free assistance to over 175,000 individuals and families each year through innovative projects that expand access to justice. We see the law as a powerful tool for social change, and we’re looking for passionate individuals to help us fight for justice.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences, and we believe that a strong community is built through inclusivity. NLSLA is proud to foster an environment that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and abilities, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

About the Role

NLSLAseeksa highly skilled, strategic, and mission drivenGrant Writerwhowillplay a critical role in securing the resources necessary to sustain and grow our work servicing low-income communities across Los Angeles County.Under the direction of theDirector of Development, the Grant Writerwill lead efforts toidentify, pursue, and securepublic and private funding opportunitiesat the local,stateand federal levels.This position is central to advancing NLSLA’s mission by translating complex legal servicesworkinto compelling, competitive proposals that generate significant revenue insupportoffree civil legal services for vulnerable individuals and families.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer and strategic thinker who brings demonstrated success in government grantprospecting and proposal development, with the ability to manage multiple funding streams,deadlinesandprioritiesin a fast-paced, high impact environment.

As a key memberof NLSLA’sDevelopment team,the Grant Writer will build deepexpertiseingrantresearch, public fundingsystemsand requirements, working closely with program leadership,financeand executive staff to align fundingopportunitieswith organizational priorities and compliance obligations. While the primary focus is on government funding,the Grant Writer will also support targeted, program-specificproposals to private foundations as part of NLSLA’s broader fundraisingstrategyto increase unrestricted support.

This is an opportunity for a results-oriented professional who is motivated by impact, thrives on collaboration and is committed to advancing equity and access to justice through high-quality, mission-driven work.

In this role, you would report to the Director of Development. This position is exempt.

What You’ll Do

• Research and assess funding opportunities to support provision of civil legal services in all areas that most impact low-income people including affordable housing and eviction defense, access to public benefits, support for domestic violence victims, access to healthcare, worker and consumer rights, and employment and training.
• Utilize and know how to navigate platforms, whichidentifypossible fundingopportunities.
• Partner with advocates to learn about programs and emerging needs and be able to translate into a strong written narrativewith case story examples.
• Write andsubmitletters of inquiry, concept papers,and grant proposals to federal, state,county, andcity government agencies to support NLSLA’s legal advocacy priorities.
• Create andutilizedatabase systems to track grant applications and progress.
• Work with NLSLA Development and Fiscal Staff to develop materials and budgets for proposals.
• This position is designated as hybrid. Employees arerequiredto work on-site a minimum of four (4) days per week, with the remaining time eligible for remote work as business needs allow. Specific in-office days may be set by the department or manager to support team collaboration and organizational priorities.
• Travel to NLSLA program offices, courthouses, and other locations throughout Los Angeles County may be required.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor'sdegree inPublicPolicy, Political Science,English,orrelated field, or comparable work experience.
• Minimum of three (3)years' experiencein grant writing with a demonstratedtrack recordof securing public local, state and/or federal funding, andmanaging the full lifecycle of government grants, including prospecting, proposal development,andsubmission.
• Exceptionalresearch,writing,editingand storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex legal,policy,and programmatic information into clear,persuasiveand fundable proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities with precision,organization,and accountability in a fast-paced environment.
• ExperienceleveragingAI tools to enhance grant research, drafting, and editing processes.
• Familiaritywithgrant research using otherfundraising sourcingresources.
• Excellentwritten andverbalcommunicationskills.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data, outcomes, and program metrics to strengthenproposalsand reports.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Self-directed with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well within a team.
• High degree of professionalism,discretionand sound judgment, particularly in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel, business communication platforms, and web-based case management platforms.
• Passion for NLSLA mission and demonstrated commitment to advocating for the legal rights of low-income individuals.

Bonus Points

• Certification in grant writing, proposal development, and/or fundraising preferred.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

At NLSLA, we believe in supporting our staff as they grow in their careers and live balanced lives. We offer:

• Competitive Salary: $71,000-$89,000, based on experience.
• Generous Time Off: 18 paid holidays, 2 to 5 weeks of vacation depending on seniority, and 12 days of sick leave. Exempt employees are eligible for compensatory time in accordance with company policy.
• Comprehensive Benefits:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with a variety of plan options.
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions and options for voluntary contributions.
• Monthly bilingual supplement for qualified employees. Note: Qualified employees with bilingual proficiency are expected to provide in-language assistance when feasible to support language access and in furtherance of NLSLA's mission. This expectation applies whether or not the employee receives the bilingual supplement.
• A Culture of Inclusion: We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive.
• Perks: Technology reimbursement to help you stay connected and equipped to do your best work.