Institutional Giving Specialist I

LA FAMILIA•Hayward, CA

2d•$65,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

La Familia seeks a resourceful, exceptionally strong writer to help secure funding that sustains and expands essential services across the communities it serves. The Institutional Giving Specialist I is an essential contributor to organizational revenue, working as a hands-on grant writer and proactive funding prospect researcher, primarily identifying and pursuing new government RFPs, Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), competitive bids, and other public funding opportunities. The role translates complex solicitations and program concepts into clear, persuasive, accurate proposals; manages assigned applications from research through submission; and supports a portfolio of institutional funders. The Specialist also develops selected private foundation proposals, which make up a smaller portion of the role. Working closely with the Manager of Institutional Giving, VP of Development and Strategy, and cross-functional partners—including Finance, Operations, and other departments—the Specialist helps La Familia pursue strategic growth through compelling, competitive funding requests. The role upholds and champions the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contributes to a collaborative and inclusive work culture. The Specialist sources and assesses funding prospects, builds and maintains a forward-looking pipeline, leads assigned proposal development and submission, supports funder portfolios and grant management, and coordinates with internal partners to ensure proposals and grant requirements are accurate and complete. The position also helps improve grant systems, templates, calendars, and institutional knowledge resources; tracks and reports relevant metrics; and contributes to departmental fundraising and revenue goals. The role is based in Hayward, California, with travel of up to 25%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public health, social work, nonprofit management, English/communications, business, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
At least 2 years of substantial, hands-on grant writing or competitive proposal-writing experience is preferred.
Exceptional writing, editing, and synthesis skills, with demonstrated ability to produce polished, persuasive narratives under tight deadlines; applicants should be prepared to provide relevant writing samples.
Ability to interpret detailed solicitation requirements, scoring criteria, and complex program information while managing multiple simultaneous proposals and contributors.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
Demonstrated customer-service orientation and ability to work with diverse populations.
Ability to exercise extreme discretion when handling, balancing, and transmitting public and confidential information.
Valid California driver’s license required.

Nice To Haves

Experience preparing government RFP/NOFO responses, especially county, state, or federal competitive grant-writing experience.
Demonstrated experience independently researching new funding opportunities and assessing solicitations for strategic fit.
Experience in nonprofit and community-based organizations.
Experience with project-management and CRM/grants systems.

Responsibilities

Source new city, county, regional, state, and federal RFPs, NOFOs, competitive bids, and other public funding opportunities, as well as select private foundation prospects aligned with La Familia’s mission and strategic priorities.
Research emerging opportunities, funding shifts, jurisdictions, and adjacent program areas; assess strategic fit, competitiveness, eligibility, award size, and deadlines to inform go/no-go decisions.
Build and maintain a forward-looking prospect pipeline and accurate opportunity records, including requirements, deadlines, funder intelligence, and next steps.
Lead assigned government proposals and selected private foundation applications from solicitation analysis and outline development through final submission.
Write original, compelling, evidence-informed proposal narratives and tailor responses to funder priorities, evaluation criteria, and page or character limits.
Translate technical, clinical, operational, and financial information into accessible, persuasive writing; interview and coordinate with program, Finance, clinical, compliance, and executive colleagues to obtain accurate inputs and meet deadlines.
Collect, analyze, and synthesize program outcomes, participant impact data, community needs assessments, and organizational performance metrics to strengthen proposals.
Collaborate with Finance and the Manager of Institutional Giving on proposal budgets, ensuring consistency among narratives, service models, staffing, deliverables, and financial assumptions.
Interpret RFP/NOFO instructions, scoring rubrics, eligibility rules, and submission portals; edit, proofread, and quality-check applications for responsiveness, clarity, accuracy, completeness, and competitiveness.
Support an assigned portfolio of primarily government funders and select private foundations, including renewal planning, funder communications, grant calendars, and proposal-related relationship management.
Coordinate funder-facing reporting requirements and deadlines with internal owners, track completion, and escalate risks early.
Support post-award grant management by interpreting grant agreements, tracking deliverables, monitoring reporting schedules, and coordinating with internal stakeholders to support compliance.
Maintain organized grant files and records so institutional knowledge is accessible across the department.
Develop and maintain professional relationships with funding agencies, foundation representatives, public-sector contacts, and community partners; support stewardship and relationship-building with government funders and public-sector partners.
Partner with Finance on budgets and fiscal information and with Operations and program teams on program design, deliverables, outcomes, and required documentation.
Participate in grant planning and pipeline meetings and provide clear status updates, risks, and next steps.
Maintain and continuously improve grant management systems, templates, proposal libraries, and institutional knowledge resources.
Support development of grant-related SOPs, templates, calendars, and systems that reduce reactive work and strengthen proposal quality.
Attend relevant trainings and events, track and report key metrics for responsible function areas, and support cross-functional projects advancing agency goals and strategic initiatives.
Manage multiple concurrent funding opportunities and competing deadlines while maintaining accuracy, responsiveness, and proposal quality.
Contribute to departmental fundraising and revenue goals through successful proposal submissions, pipeline development, and stewardship of assigned funder relationships.
Maintain accurate and timely records of funding opportunities, proposals, awards, reporting requirements, and funder communications in agency tracking systems.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision benefits with 95% employee and 80% dependent employer premium contributions.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Vacation, 15 paid holidays, and 12 paid sick days upon accrual.
Employee Assistance Plan supporting employee and family well-being and finances.
Pet Plan Benefit, including PetPlus product and prescription discounts, Pet Assure veterinary discounts, AskVet 24/7 Pet Telehealth, and ThePetTag Lost Pet Recovery Service.
403(b) retirement plan.
Work-life wellbeing and excellent work hours.
Flexible scheduling options and hybrid work arrangements are described for therapists.
License and certification renewals reimbursed.
Supportive and collaborative work environment.
Structured mentorship, ongoing training, and opportunities for growth and professional development.