Volunteer Grants Specialist

Ember Rising Foundation; South Carolina; Remote; USD 2,538 - 3,041; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity to transition into Board Member role

Ethical recognition of contributions

Job summary

An organization focused on youth empowerment is seeking a Grants Specialist to conduct grant research and prospect identification. This position is volunteer-based, requiring approximately 5 hours per week. The specialist will identify grant opportunities and assess programmatic fits, but will not engage in grant writing or funder communications. Success recognition payments will be offered based on awarded grants, although the role may eventually transition into a paid position pending available funding.

Responsibilities

• Identify public and private grant opportunities aligned with the organization's mission and programs.
• Review eligibility requirements, funding priorities, award ranges, and deadlines.
• Assess basic programmatic fit and anticipated competitiveness.
• Compile a structured grant prospect list suitable for internal planning.

Job description

Ember Rising is seeking a long-term Grants Specialist to support the development of a sustainable funding pipeline. This engagement is focused exclusively on grant research and prospect identification aligned with Ember Rising’s mission of youth empowerment, life skills education, and community-based programming.

This role does not include grant writing, application submission, or funder communications.

Scope of Services

The Grants Specialist will provide the following services:

• Identify public and private grant opportunities aligned with Ember Rising’s mission and programs
• Review eligibility requirements, funding priorities, award ranges, and deadlines
• Assess basic programmatic fit and anticipated competitiveness
• Compile a structured grant prospect list suitable for internal planning and submission preparation

The Grants Specialist Partner will not:

• Draft, edit, or submit grant applications
• Represent Ember Rising in communications with funders
• Make funding guarantees or representations regarding award outcomes

Deliverables are informational in nature and intended to support Ember Rising’s internal decision-making.

Time Commitment

The anticipated time commitment is approximately 5 hours per week for the duration of the engagement.

Compensation & Success Recognition

At this stage, Ember Rising is unable to offer full grant development compensation. However, the organization is committed to transparency and ethical recognition of early-stage capacity-building support.

• This engagement will be volunteer-based.
• Ember Rising will provide a fixed success recognition payment, capped per grant awarded, as organizational capacity support.

Success Recognition Schedule (Maximums)

• Grants of $10,000 or more:
• Up to $500 per awarded grant
• Grants of $5,000–$9,999:
• Up to $250 per awarded grant
• Grants under $5,000:
• Up to $100 per awarded grant

Success recognition payments:

• Are not commissions, percentages, or contingency fees
• Are not tied to grant writing or submission activities
• Reflect organizational growth rather than individual performance
• Are payable only after funds are formally awarded to Ember Rising
• Are not guaranteed and remain subject to funding outcomes outside the control of the Grant Research Partner

The following position will initially operate in a volunteer capacity and may transition into Board Member at Large or Committee Chair roles with a governance stipend, contingent upon available funding, board approval, and organizational needs:

Grants & Finance Specialist

• Potential Advancement: Finance & Development Committee Chair and/or Treasurer
• This role supports grant research, fundraising strategy, budgeting, and financial development efforts, with a pathway into board-level financial governance, fiduciary oversight, and development strategy.

Professional Standards

This engagement is structured to align with nonprofit fundraising and grant-seeking ethical standards. Funding decisions are made solely by grant makers, and Ember Rising makes no representations or guarantees regarding award outcomes.

Future Engagements

Subject to funding availability and organizational needs, Ember Rising may consider future paid development or grant writing engagements. No future work is implied or guaranteed under this engagement.

How to Apply:

Interested individuals may submit a brief statement of interest and relevant experience to: