Development Specialist

The Community Group • Lawrence, MA

1d • $50,000 - $70,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Development Specialist (Grants-Focused) supports the Development Department’s fundraising efforts, with a primary focus on grant proposal development and related operations. This role contributes to securing funding that sustains and advances The Community Group’s programs and impact. The ideal candidate brings an asset-based approach to grant writing and demonstrates strong attention to detail, organization, independence, persistence, and creativity. This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position reporting to the Director of Development and Grant Performance. About The Community Group (TCG) The Community Group (TCG) is a private non-profit organization, based in Lawrence, MA whose mission is to create, manage, and nurture high-quality programs focused on education and related services that support families. TCG was founded in 1970 as the Community Day Care Center of Lawrence, a preschool with an enrollment of 20 children, since inception we have grown to an agency that manages: a successful charter public school, education and care programs dedicated to the healthy development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, a robust out-of-school time enrichment program, resources that facilitate access to early education and care for families, including a Child Care Resource and Referral program, and a training and workforce development program to help shape the next generation of child care educators. About the Development Department At TCG, making a difference in a child’s life extends beyond the classroom. Every department plays a critical role in advancing our mission and positively impacting the lives of children and families. The Development team supports this work by securing and stewarding the financial resources necessary to sustain and grow TCG’s programs.

Requirements

• Uphold a passionate belief in The Community Group's mission, values, and educational model.
• Associate’s degree required, bachelor’s degree plus.
• 1-3 years professional work experience, with some experience in early childhood or elementary education (ages 0-13) preferred.
• Highly organized, able to maintain and improve systems of organization, meet deadlines and balance multiple workflows simultaneously.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, adaptability and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced with all Microsoft Office and Google programs including SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, Google Docs and Google Sheets, and comfort learning new technology.

Nice To Haves

• Successful grant writing experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Grant Development and Compliance: Assists with and/or writes grant proposals and reports that meet funder requirements and deadlines and aligns with our organizational mission and values. Assists with documenting grant compliance in collaboration with development, program, and finance staff. Supports the full lifecycle of institutional grants, from concepting to submission to reporting.
• Communication and Stewardship: Builds and maintains positive relationships through accurate and effective cross- departmental communication and promptly responds to internal and external outreach, including coordination related to grants, data gathering, impact storytelling and other philanthropic support. Assists in preparing donor briefings, proposals, annual reports, donor acknowledgement and stewardship communications as needed.
• Development Operations & Database Management: Maintains a well-defined system of organizing files, calendars, development of database records, and relevant internal and external communications. Supports reporting needs by pulling lists, updating records, and helping refine development systems.
• Prospect Research: Conducts basic prospect research, as well as grant research, to support institutional and individual fundraising efforts across programs.
• Other Responsibilities may include: Preparing external communications in collaboration with the Director of Communications and Public Relations. Maintaining grant and donation files and donor database. Helping build internal process improvements for grants and development workflows. All other projects and duties assigned by the supervisor.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree