Grants and Development Specialist II

MAPC•Boston, MA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

MAPC is seeking a Grants and Development Specialist II to support and expand a diverse and sustainable funding portfolio that advances the agency’s mission and strategic priorities. The Grants and Development Specialist II will assist the agency in identifying, developing, preparing, and submitting grant applications, responses to Requests for Proposals and Requests for Information, and other business development opportunities. Grant management, oversight, reporting, and evaluation may be a part of this role’s job activities, and the position will also include document management. This position is within the Department of Strategic Initiatives and will work with other agency departments and leadership to develop and execute fundraising strategies as well as donor stewardship. This position is well suited for a fundraising professional who is detail-oriented, collaborative, and motivated by public-interest work. About MAPC: MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are sustainable development and preservation, advancing equity in the region, collaboration across municipal lines, and developing a climate-friendly and resilient region. We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 120 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office. MAPC has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from MAPC’s Boston office. MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times. This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. About the Department: MAPC’s Department of Strategic Initiatives creates and advances long-term planning at the agency and special projects that move our priorities forward and help us achieve the goals set forth in our Regional Plan and Strategic Plan. Toward that end, they help manage key agency partnerships and funder relationships and assist in coordinating the internal and external funding strategy for the agency. The Department of Strategic Initiatives also manages learning and evaluation at the agency, creating opportunities and platforms for MAPC staff to evaluate their work, capture lessons learned, and ways to improve impact and effectiveness.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience or a Master’s degree and 2 years of relevant work experience or an equivalent of 6 years of relevant work experience.
Knowledge of Massachusetts and federal government grant processes and systems
Knowledge of funder landscape in Massachusetts and ability to create relationships with national funders
Prior experience in business development and fundraising
Ability to proactively set priorities and multi-task without compromising attention to detail
Excellent time management, organizational, and project management skills
Ability to analyze and solve problems independently in a resourceful and innovative manner
Understanding of multi-step processes and how to work within them in a team environment
Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
Ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders and maintain strong relationships
A professional demeanor and a positive “can do” attitude, with high customer service standards
Willingness to perform administrative functions as needed, such as filing, photocopying, and database management
Advanced computer skills including working with Microsoft Office Suite, and Airtable or similar project management system
Legal authorization to work in the USA
A valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region.

Nice To Haves

Document design experience with Adobe Creative Suite
Background in non-profit or urban planning field

Responsibilities

Grant & Institutional Fundraising: Research, identify, and track foundation, corporate, and public-sector funding opportunities aligned with MAPC’s strategic priorities.
Draft, coordinate, and submit high-quality grant proposals, letters of inquiry, concept papers, and funding requests in collaboration with program staff.
Develop proposal budgets and supporting documentation in coordination with finance and program teams.
Development Operations & Systems: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in MAPC’s donor and grants management systems, including prospect research and submission deadlines.
Create and refine internal fundraising tools, templates, and processes to strengthen coordination across teams.
Prepare summary reports as needed.
Provide support and resources to staff around grant application development.
Donor & Funder Engagement: Support institutional funder and donor stewardship efforts, including acknowledgments, progress updates, and impact communications.
Assist with funder meetings, site visits, briefings, and events, including scheduling, preparation, and follow-up.
Collaborate with communications and program staff to highlight funder-supported work through reports, stories, and external materials.
Strategic & Collaborative Work: Collaborate closely with program, communications, finance, and leadership teams to align fundraising activities with MAPC’s regional plan, strategic plan, and annual work plan.
Contribute to the development and implementation of annual fundraising work plans and long-term development strategies.
Support equity-centered fundraising practices that reflect MAPC’s commitment to racial equity and inclusive decision-making.
Stay informed about trends in philanthropy, public funding, and nonprofit development relevant to MAPC’s work.
Identify and track state and federal funding sources to support municipal programs and implementation of planning recommendations.
Evening events, occasional weekend events, and local travel are a responsibility for this position.
MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region.
MAPC provides support for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account and BlueBikes membership.