Grant & Communications Writer
At Breakthrough Miami, we believe that for our community, our society, and our culture to reach its ultimate potential, it is imperative each ambitious student is provided access to the optimum tools, motivation, and opportunity to reach their potential.
As a dynamic team of professionals with a passion for educational equity, we are dedicated to helping motivated students from under-resourced communities fulfill their promise and reach their full potential as the architects of our future. We also foster new experiences and pathways for young people to enter the education sector.
We serve more than 1,300 Scholars in 5th through 12th grade, and 120 Teaching Fellows at six sites. Breakthrough Miami's evidence-based "students-teaching-students" model empowers our Scholars with peer networks, high-rigor academics and extra-curricular enrichment; preparing them to enter and thrive in college-prep high school programs and four-year colleges and universities, while also creating transformative learning and development opportunities for Teaching Fellows.
REPORTS TO: Chief Philanthropy Officer
POSITION SUMMARY
The Grant & Communications Writer is a critical member of the Development and Communications team, and is primarily responsible for identifying funding opportunities and writing polished proposals and grant applications to secure funding in support of an annual fundraising budget of $4.4M. The Grant & Communications Writer will lead reporting and other communications to comply with grantor requirements and effectively steward donors to support lasting relationships. Breakthrough Miami is annually supported by approximately $1.9M in grant funding, including major multi-year contracts with AmeriCorps and The Children's Trust, as well as grants from corporations and foundations. This position will support grant development and reporting to maintain existing sources and secure new funding. The Writer will also support storytelling development and organizational communications.
The Grant & Communications Writer must be highly organized, detail-oriented and able to work efficiently and creatively under deadline. The writer will work closely with Program Leadership, including the Chief Strategy Officer, and should have strong research and logic skills.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Study and communicate in compelling narratives, the history, need, programs, goals and financial needs of the organization
- Lead periodic literature reviews to inform need statements, and other communications to provide continuously relevant rationale and positioning
- Stay abreast of, and utilize, organizational and program data, as well as program evaluation to develop a case for support
- Stay abreast of local and national trends, needs and opportunities relevant to Breakthrough Miami’s work in the education equity field, diversity and inclusion, leadership and youth development
- Support development of logic models and articulation of theory of change
- Continually research, identify, present, and maintain sources of public and private grant opportunities that align with Breakthrough Miami' vision and prioritized goals
- Collaborate with Program leadership and Financial Controller to assemble budget, outcomes and data for grant applications
- Develop and maintain a master file and calendar of prospective, active and past grants and contracts, and related reporting requirements.
- Develop proposals, write grants and support the submission process to granting agencies in a timely manner, meeting all guidelines/requirements to support maintaining and securing at least $1.9M in grant funding annually.
- Assemble supporting information pertinent to grant applications
- Ensure quality, accuracy, and completeness of all submitted grant proposals (well researched, well-written, well-documented, with a rationalized budget)
- Track benchmarks for submission and successful applications
- Contact granting organizations and agencies as needed
- Maintain records and submit grant and funding reports
- Identify and support storytelling of Scholars, Volunteers and Teaching Fellows to share impact stories and reach new audiences
- Support communications efforts, including annual reports, board reports and presentations, website copy, appeals, acknowledgements and other materials as requested
- All employees are required to assist, where needed, at events (some weekends and evenings will be required)
- May perform other duties assigned
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree
- Demonstrated experience in identifying, applying for, and receiving grants from public and private sources
Skills, Knowledge & Ability
- Exceptional skills in writing efficiently, creatively and effectively under deadline
- Excellent research, analysis, and reporting skills
- Solves problems effectively and utilizes sound judgment
- Maintains strict confidentiality
- Works with urgency, accuracy and speed to meet deadlines and thrive in a small non-profit organization with limited resources, ambitious goals and quick pace
- Able to work in and advance a diverse organization
- Able to build and maintain positive relationships with the Breakthrough team, and work cooperatively and collegially with others
- Self-motivated with the ability to work with minimal supervision
- Sets high personal standards, follows through on commitments and models fairness and transparency in all interactions
- Knowledge of education non-profit field
- Strong computer knowledge / digital literacy - able to navigate grant portals
Breakthrough Miami operates in a rapidly changing education and community environment. This job description is a summary, not a contract. The duties and responsibilities of this role may change at any time due to organizational needs.