Funding Strategist

ISG•Des Moines, IA

5d•$70,000 - $95,000

About The Position

Founded in 1973, ISG is a multi-disciplinary, employee-owned firm providing architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design services to communities across the nation. Guided by our mission: simplify solutions and passionately design the future; we partner with clients to turn complex challenges into meaningful, lasting impact. ISG employee owners are motivated by a shared goal to stretch the limits of great design and go above and beyond to positively influence each other, our clients, and the communities we serve. If you’re passionate about strategic planning, funding alignment, and community-driven outcomes, we invite you to explore a career within ISG’s Planning team. We are seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Funding Strategist to support planning, architecture, and engineering projects through strategic funding development. In this role, you will play a critical part in advancing community-focused initiatives by identifying, securing, and managing public funding opportunities, from grants to loans, throughout the full project lifecycle. This position is ideal for someone with a background in planning, public finance, economic development, or grant administration who enjoys connecting funding strategy to real-world projects. You’ll collaborate closely with planners, engineers, architects, and clients to align funding sources with project goals, translating complex program requirements into compelling, well-supported applications. Key Impact of the Role Identify and evaluate funding opportunities that support community planning and infrastructure initiatives Prepare, submit, and manage grant and loan applications from initiation through closeout Develop clear, persuasive narratives supported by accurate data and compliance requirements Support communities in bringing visionary planning and development projects to life Successfully manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven funding environment Your strong writing, organizational, and data management skills, combined with your ability to work efficiently under funding deadlines, will directly enable ISG and our clients to move meaningful projects forward. We’ve listed a compensation range that reflects our expectations for this role, including both direct and indirect components. We understand that your experience and value may fall outside of this range. If you feel you're a strong fit but your compensation needs differ, we’re open to a conversation—let’s talk.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in grant writing, loan application preparation, or a related field
Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field, preferred, but not required
Strong knowledge of public and private funding programs relevant to architecture, engineering, and construction projects
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to craft compelling proposals
Proficiency in budgeting, data analysis, and project management tools
Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills to handle multiple applications simultaneously
Familiarity with compliance requirements and regulations of common funding agencies

Nice To Haves

A background in architecture, engineering, or construction management is a plus
Preexisting relationships at state and/or federal funding entities are preferred, but not required

Responsibilities

Identify and evaluate local, state, federal, and private funding opportunities that align with the firm’s project objectives and client needs. Funding opportunities may include SRF and other state agencies, CDBG, USDA, EPA, DOT, COGs, to name a few
Stay updated on industry trends, changes in funding criteria, and deadlines for applications
Complete grant applications that span a great variety of geographies, business units, and granting entities, requiring the ability to learn new tasks and processes effectively and efficiently
Gather, analyze, and compile necessary information and documentation required for loan and grant applications
Collaborate with internal teams, including architects, engineers, and project managers, to develop persuasive narratives and ensure technical accuracy
Prepare application schedules, and supporting materials tailored to specific funding requirements
Submit complete and timely applications in accordance with funding agency guidelines
Analyze multiple funding opportunities and identify where alignment exists, creating a complete funding package for projects that may consist of multiple applications or funding sources
Accountable to manage each application and ensure that they are progressing on applications in a timely manner to meet deadlines. This will be a lot of independent work, requiring a self-directed individual
Monitor the progress of submitted applications and communicate updates to internal and external stakeholders
Serve as the primary point of contact between the firm and client or organizations applying for the grant. Coordinate communication and meetings with funding agencies as needed
Provide oversight of federal funding compliance requirements for loan and grant packages
Analyze success rates and provide insights for continuous improvement of application strategies
Be an accountable, eager, and creative employee owner! Maintain a growth mindset with the potential to develop, build and lead a team