Senior Communications & Grant Writer

J. Murphy & Associates; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 74,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3% IRA match

Life Insurance

Long-term disability (LTD)

Healthcare reimbursement

Job summary

J. Murphy & Associates in Minneapolis, MN seeks a Senior Grant Writer to lead fundraising copy and grant proposals for nonprofit clients. This in-office role reports to the Development Manager or Director and offers a competitive salary and benefits.

You will craft tailored materials for print and digital channels, manage complex grant opportunities, review budgets, collaborate with funders, and drive compelling, data-driven applications to secure support.

Job description

Reports to: Development Manager or Development Director

$74,000 - $90,000 per year

*This is an in-office position.*

Key Responsibilities:

Communications Content Development

• Write effective and tailored fundraising copy and messages for multiple platforms and print
• Assist to secure funds through outreach (requests for support) to funders/grantors and corporations for grants and project support
• Write event scripts and develop effective program PPT presentations
• Create communications messaging for:
• Printed materials (brochures, donor cards, organization collateral, campaign letters, annual reports, newsletters)
• Digital outputs (eblasts, e-newsletters)
• Various social media channels, understanding how channels work and align with target audience
• Edit and proof communications content

Grant Strategy & Assessment

• Manage a portfolio of complex grant opportunities from initial qualification through submission and reporting, developing pursuit strategies, work plans and writing timelines while coordinating client and internal contributors
• Review assignments to determine potential fit and argument, paying attention to guidelines and past funded proposals or alignment to donors for outreach and cultivation
• Identify and qualify new funding sources aligned with client strategic priorities and program goals

Professional Development & Writing

• New writing including template writing, donor relations materials, white pages, executive summaries, biographies, case statements, and more as appropriate
• Quickly absorb complex program models across various sectors (e.g. healthcare, youth development, housing and homelessness, workforce development, etc.) to write highly compelling, tailored proposals
• Prepare grant proposals for general operating and programmatic support, as assigned
• Compile, write and edit persuasive and data-driven grant applications, letters and queries exhibiting strong expository writing skills and a high-level command of grammar and spelling
• Review budgets and other required attachments for which funding is sought and make certain all items/forms needed readily available (within JMA files) or are requested of the client in a timely and sufficient manner for deadline submission.Responsible for attaining the most current and approved budget, along with other required attachments, to be sent with any grant assigned
• Initiate contact with funders, program officers and staff as needed to obtain relevant information (ask questions) re.: fit, before submitting and during their review of a submitted grant or request as directed; offer additional supportive materials when asked, directed
• Write grant reports, synthesizing data to support them
• Work with grant writers and client for input and edits on grants
• Review budgets and all financials; responsible for attaining the most current and approved budget (and other financial attachments) to be sent with any grant
• Assist with grant budgets and develop logic models

Experience/Qualifications:

• 4 or more years of experience working with nonprofit organization(s); grant writing/fundraising experience preferred
• Demonstrated experience in writing and submitting public sector RFPs with a special focus on state and federal government agencies
• Defined specialties grant writing – for example: youth development; education; mental health; nutrition.
• Exceptional ability to pivot quickly between entirely different subjects, writing styles, and technical vocabularies under tight deadlines
• Background in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or similar degree desired
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven organizational skills including the ability to maintain data maintenance systems, prioritize projects, meet multiple deadlines and work with teams
• Demonstrated knowledge of statewide funders
• Provide expertise and contacts
• Grant Professional Certified (GPC) or Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) is a plus
• Bonuses are awarded to staff based on extraordinary work output, bringing in new clients and a recommendation from a manager. Additionally, awards of more ESST/PTO are/can be given in addition to or instead of a cash bonus.
• Overtime: (over 40 hours per week) paid at a rate of time and a half.
• Employee Safe and Sick Time (ESST) & Paid Time Off (PTO)– ESST/PTO will begin accruing upon hire. All employees will earn ESST/PTO at a rate of 0.0909 per hour worked. This equates to earning 1 hour of ESST/PTO for every 11 hours worked. Employees may choose to use their ESST/PTO award for mental or physical illness, treatment or preventative care; a family member’s mental or physical illness, treatment or preventative care; absence due to domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking of the employee or a family member; death in an employee’s immediate family; closure of the employee’s workplace due to weather or public emergency or closure of a family member’s school or care facility due to weather or public emergency; when determined by a health authority or health care professional that the employee or a family member is at risk of infecting others with a communicable disease; vacation days; and holidays.
• IRA participation (JMA contributes 3% if employee participates)
• Life Insurance and LTD – at no cost to employee
• Healthcare plan reimbursement is available to employees who are not covered under another(s) healthcare plan and are required to purchase an individual or family plan (being covered on a significant other or parents plan does not qualify). Healthcare reimbursement in the amount of $250.00 per month for an individual plan is available if you are the “primary” on your plan ($250 per month = $3,000.00 per year for insurance). Healthcare in the amount of $500.00 per month for a family plan is available if you are the “primary” on your family plan ($500 per month = $6,000 per year for insurance).