Grant & Development Assistant

Outreach Works•Scranton, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Grant & Development Coordinator is an entry-level position ideal for a strong writer who is passionate about nonprofit work and eager to grow into a career in grant writing and development. This position requires writing aptitude, curiosity, strong attention to detail, and a commitment to the mission. Working under the direct guidance of the CORD Director, the Coordinator will be trained to research, write, and submit grants, partnering with the Development Associate to tackle some grants as a team, which are the primary focus of the role. The Coordinator will also provide day-to-day support across the department's broader development, fundraising, communications, and administrative activities. The position involves exposure to sensitive information and requires tact, confidentiality, discretion, and sound judgment. This role is designed to develop a new professional from the ground up, with hands-on training, mentorship, and review of all grant writing and development work provided by the CORD Director and Development Associate. The Coordinator will begin with smaller and more structured grants and assignments, taking on greater independence and complexity as skills develop.

Requirements

Strong writing aptitude — the ability to write clearly, accurately, and persuasively, with a willingness to learn the craft of grant writing.
Excellent communication skills with a service and mission orientation.
Genuine interest in and commitment to nonprofit work and Outreach's mission.
Eagerness to learn grant writing and development through training, mentorship, and review.
Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and analytical/problem-solving skills.
Good research skills and comfort learning new software and systems.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize, multitask, and meet deadlines.
Ability to work with and support the development team.
Ability to prioritize assignments, to multitask, work on tight schedules and meet deadlines.
Ability to handle sensitive information with the highest degree of integrity and confidentiality.
Ability to take initiative and work both independently (with support) and as part of a team.
Must be able to successfully obtain clearances under Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law.
Possess a valid driver's license and the ability to drive as needed for work responsibilities.
Comfort with standard office and productivity software and strong internet research skills.
Familiarity with Google platform (Drive, Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and related apps) is helpful.
Willingness to learn and adopt Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) as the transition progresses.
Willingness to learn specialized platforms used by the team, including grant and project management systems, donor management systems (Bloomerang), online grant application portals, and design and fundraising tools (Canva, WordPress/Divi, Grantable).

Nice To Haves

Prior grant writing or development experience is not required, but is a plus.
Writing samples, relevant coursework, internships, or volunteer experience are a plus.
Prior familiarity with specialized platforms used by the team is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

Research grant prospects and funding opportunities that align with Outreach's mission and programs.
Draft and submit grant applications, letters of inquiry, and grant reports, with training, review, and feedback.
Gather and synthesize data and supporting materials from program staff for proposals and reports.
Assist with budget preparation for grant applications.
Maintain grant files, electronic records, correspondence, submissions, and archived documents for agency record retention.
Maintain task lists and tracking systems for grant deadlines and reporting requirements.
Advise appropriate staff of filing deadlines and attend team and grant project meetings as needed.
Assemble and package grant-related documents and assist with grant-related mailings.
Input and maintain donor data in the donor management system.
Support fundraising campaigns, donor cultivation, and stewardship activities.
Provide writing support for promotional and communication materials, newsletters, the annual report, and news releases, in accordance with the organizational mission, with review by the CORD Director, Manager, and President/CEO before distribution.
Assist with website and social media updates.
Assist the CORD Team in preparing invitations, announcements, donor recognition notes/cards, business cards, and other organizational materials for promotions, stewardship, and/or cultivation.
Support the administrative team with special projects, events, and mailings.
Create visual, text, and imagery for print, social media, and website use that will communicate the mission and work of the organization.
Create designs that will inspire, inform, captivate, and cultivate partnerships to advance the mission and vision of the organization.
Collaborate effectively with senior leadership, staff, volunteers, and peers.
Exercise appropriate discretion when handling confidential information.
Complete a minimum of 12 hours of professional development annually.
Be available to attend occasional evening and weekend work events (e.g., fundraisers, donor events, and community activities) as needed.
Remain self-motivated, flexible, and interested in personal and professional growth.
Perform other duties as assigned.