Grant Writer & Development Manager

Farm Discovery at Live Earth is seeking a full-time Grant Writer & Development Manager in Watsonville, CA, to support the Executive Director in expanding the organization's budget over the next three years. Responsibilities include managing grant submissions, fundraising campaigns, and donor relationships, as well as overseeing a grant database and collaborating with education staff. The role involves direct fundraising, event coordination, and maintaining communication with stakeholders to uphold Farm Discovery's mission.
Position Description

The Grant Writer will provide vital support to the Executive Director. The position is a long term, full time salaried position with potential to grow for the right person, invested in the sustainability of Farm Discovery. This position will grow Farm Discovery’s budget over the next three years, manage grant calendar, submissions, reporting and research, as well as support fundraising campaigns and events, with supervision by the Executive Director.

The person in this position will have the support of a full time Development Associate focused on Individual Donors and a 25% Development Associate supporting grants and corporate relationships as well as work collaboratively with education staff and is responsible for daily decision-making.

Roles and Responsibilities:
Fundraising
• Support Farm Discovery Executive Director in researching, initiating, developing and maintaining relationships with donors, grantors and sponsors.
• Oversee administration of Farm Discovery grant and donor database (Salesforce software), including researching new opportunities and recruitment and training of volunteers to assist.
• Manage grant submissions including calendar, development and writing of narratives, work plans, and budgets, reporting, research and check-ins with Executive Director and Assistant Director of Education on goals and objectives.
• Grow 6 figure grant pipeline.Direct fundraising portion of program events and lead fundraising events – including phone calls, e-mail and letters for securing sponsorships, soliciting donations, volunteer recruitment, and event coordination.
• Act as a friendly ambassador, advocate and asker welcoming the public & upholding the mission of Farm Discovery and Live Earth Farm
• Oversee development outreach to local and regional agricultural and business communities to further develop relationships to help sustain Farm Discovery programs.
• Facilitate corporate volunteer partnerships, including recruitment, management and stewardship of volunteers as they relate to corporate giving.
• Research, identify, develop & maintain Major Donor Relationships.
• Research, identify, develop & maintain Sponsor & Corporate Partner Relationships
• Supervise execution of marketing and outreach to promote campaigns, programs & events at Farm Discovery
• Supervise execution of fundraising components of events.
• Communicate with the Farm Discovery team about all campaigns, goals and objectives
• Supervise communication with grantors, donors, sponsors and volunteers to answer questions, coordinate payment, recognize contributions and provide tax documentation.
• Create and maintain annual fundraising plan with quarterly updates for Director and Board.
• Manage donor and supporter electronic and print communications using mail merge, e-communications programs and tracking communications in the Farm Discovery database.
• Co-create annual report with Executive Director & Operations Manager.

Development Administration
• Use computer word processing, spreadsheet, and database software to prepare reports, memos, and documents, oversee and support training of junior staff and volunteers.
• Oversee preparation and send outgoing mail, including organizing volunteer support for large mailings.
• Supervise coding and filing of materials according to the established procedures.
• Update and ensure the accuracy of the organization’s databases.
• Back-up electronic files using proper procedures.

Financial Management
• Supervise coding and filing of materialsz according to established records management procedures.
• Work with staff and volunteers to coordinate and ensure the integrity of the processing of donations.
• Assist with financial reports as required.
• Month end duties as required.

Provide Board Support
• With the Executive Director, prepare supporting development reports and materials for distribution.
• Ensure the timely distribution of material to the Board.

Provide Broad Support
• Facilitate programs and events when additional staff are needed.
• Jump in where needed to support all programs, events, and the back-end operations to keep these running at the level of excellence our clients and customers expect.

Personal Characteristics
• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior and the behavior of others are consistent with these standards and align with the values of the organization.
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Donor Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organization: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Qualifications
• 2-4 years grant writing and management experience
• 2-4 years fundraising campaign management experience
• 2-4 years donor engagement and acquisition experience
• event planning and management experience

Preferred
• Bilingual Spanish speaker.
• Experience and understanding of Latinx culture.
• Farming gardening and/or nutrition experience, skills, and/or passion.
• Familiarity with area agricultural business and philanthropic sectors.

Work Setting
• Shared office environment in the Education Facility on our organic farm. Some of the work can be done remotely and on own schedule, minimum 3 days a week on site required.
• This is a 40+ hours per week, full time position with some seasonal fluctuation, and 1-2 weekend events a month year-round and especially spring, summer and fall. Farm Discovery office hours are 8-4 Monday through Friday.

Position Details

This is a 40+ hour per week, full time position with paid vacation, sick time, and holidays. Salary $65-70k, commensurate with experience plus a benefits stipend and retirement match. In addition, the farm will provide produce, and fresh eggs as available.

Application Procedure:
• Please fill in the following form: https://forms.gle/hgwhxkuUVPM8dn3U8
the form will require the following two items to be uploaded within it:
• A cover letter that shares the unique skills you bring to the table and includes the date or range of timing you are interested/available to start
• A resume with at least two professional references

We will begin reviewing and accepting candidate material immediately.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:
• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Watsonville, CA 95076