Grant Writer

Nashville Public Radio; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is seeking a full-time Grant Writer to join the External Affairs Department in Nashville. You will develop, submit, and steward grant proposals and reports that align funder priorities with our mission to nourish neighbors across 46 counties.

You will collaborate with philanthropy, finance, marketing, and leadership, research new funding opportunities, track deadlines, and ensure timely submissions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferred fields include Business, Sales, Fundraising, Communications or Marketing.
• 2+ years of related experience and/or training.
• Combination of education, experience, and/or training may be considered in lieu of the stated requirements.

Responsibilities

• Write, submit, and steward grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and related funding requests in accordance with funder guidelines, incorporating input from program, finance, corporate engagement, and leadership staff.
• Draft and submit timely reports, stewardship updates, and impact summaries for corporate and non-corporate funders, ensuring accuracy and inclusion of all required supporting documentation.
• Maintain a strong understanding of hunger-related issues in Middle and West Tennessee and remain well-informed on the organization’s programs and services.
• Identify, qualify, and research new funding opportunities, including corporate foundations, community investment programs, private and family foundations, civic organizations, government sources, and other institutional funders.
• Partner with internal teams to translate program priorities, measurable outcomes, volunteer engagement opportunities, and community impact into compelling funding opportunities and proposals.
• Review and provide feedback on grant proposals, sponsorship narratives, and funder-facing materials developed by other team members.
• Engage with funders, including corporate philanthropy and corporate social responsibility contacts, to build, sustain, and expand positive relationships and respond promptly to information requests.
• Organize and maintain detailed records of grant prospects, proposals, reports, communications, relationship notes, deadlines, and funding history using the organization’s grant management system.
• Attend relevant philanthropy, community engagement, chamber, and funder networking opportunities to stay informed on giving trends and best practices, including those related to corporate giving.
• Manage multiple grant deadlines while coordinating with cross-functional teams to ensure complete, accurate, and timely submissions.
• Support the ongoing maintenance and optimization of the grants calendar, including prospect tracking, application timelines, reporting deadlines, stewardship touchpoints, and compliance requirements across corporate and non-corporate opportunities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Feedback

Microsoft Office

Grant management platforms

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Instrumentl

Raiser’s Edge/NXT

Salesforce

Job description

We are hiring for a full-time Grant Writer to join the External Affairs Department at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

Who we are:

For nearly 50 years, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee has dedicated itself to nourishing and empowering their neighbors so they can thrive. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Second Harvest implements sustainable solutions to food insecurity through a strategically selected network of more than 600 partners across 46 counties in Middle and West Tennessee. Our partners include food pantries, congregate meal sites, shelters, childcare facilities, senior centers, group homes, and youth enrichment programs. For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, its mission, and programs, please visit secondharvestmidtn.org.

What you’ll do:

The Grant Writer is responsible for developing, submitting, and stewarding compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, impact updates, and progress reports that align funder priorities with the organization’s mission and program needs. The role includes work with a range of funding opportunities, including corporate, foundation, civic, government, and other institutional funders, with particular attention to corporate philanthropy opportunities as they arise.

The Grant Writer works closely with philanthropy, corporate engagement, program, finance, marketing, and leadership staff to shape fundable opportunities, communicate measurable impact, support funder relationships, and contribute to the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Key Responsibilities:

• Write, submit, and steward grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and related funding requests in accordance with funder guidelines, incorporating input from program, finance, corporate engagement, and leadership staff.
• Draft and submit timely reports, stewardship updates, and impact summaries for corporate and non-corporate funders, ensuring accuracy and inclusion of all required supporting documentation.
• Maintain a strong understanding of hunger-related issues in Middle and West Tennessee and remain well-informed on the organization’s programs and services.
• Identify, qualify, and research new funding opportunities, including corporate foundations, community investment programs, private and family foundations, civic organizations, government sources, and other institutional funders.
• Partner with internal teams to translate program priorities, measurable outcomes, volunteer engagement opportunities, and community impact into compelling funding opportunities and proposals.
• Review and provide feedback on grant proposals, sponsorship narratives, and funder-facing materials developed by other team members.
• Engage with funders, including corporate philanthropy and corporate social responsibility contacts, to build, sustain, and expand positive relationships and respond promptly to information requests.
• Organize and maintain detailed records of grant prospects, proposals, reports, communications, relationship notes, deadlines, and funding history using the organization’s grant management system.
• Attend relevant philanthropy, community engagement, chamber, and funder networking opportunities to stay informed on giving trends and best practices, including those related to corporate giving.
• Manage multiple grant deadlines while coordinating with cross-functional teams to ensure complete, accurate, and timely submissions.
• Support the ongoing maintenance and optimization of the grants calendar, including prospect tracking, application timelines, reporting deadlines, stewardship touchpoints, and compliance requirements across corporate and non-corporate opportunities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Reports to:

Director, Development Operations

When & Where:

SCHEDULE

• Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 4:30 PM
• Occasional work outside normal business hours may be required to meet deadlines, attend donor events, or respond to urgent organizational needs.

TRAVEL

• Occasional daytime travel required, up to 5% of work week within the local service area, and to and from the Main Distribution Center in Nashville, Tennessee as needed. Current driver’s license with copy of current auto insurance and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) results required.

WORKFLEX

As a social services organization, we strive to be available to our neighbors, donors, and fellow staff members to work toward our mission of providing food that nourishes and empowers people so they can thrive. WorkFlex may be considered a benefit for eligible positions.

In instances of a federal, state, or locally declared emergency, Second Harvest is typically considered an essential business service and emergency responder. All employees may be required to perform regular or emergent duties on-site. Employee safety will be balanced with business and community necessity. Some positions are more likely to require on-site work than others.

This position is eligible for consideration for the Remote and Telecommuting portion of WorkFlex.

Is this you?

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree required, preferred fields include Business, Sales, Fundraising, Communications or Marketing

Experience:

2+ years of related experience and/or training. At the organization's discretion, a combination of education, experience, and/or training may be considered in lieu of the stated requirements.

Skills & Capabilities:

• Exceptional written communication skills with an emphasis on clarity, technical accuracy, and persuasive storytelling.
• Ability to give and use constructive feedback from peer-editing to improve the final product.
• Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to incorporate feedback effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and strong data analysis skills.
• Experience working with grant management platforms such as Instrumentl, Raiser’s Edge/NXT, and Salesforce.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.