Position: Grants Associate

Salary: $48,000 – $52,000 annually

Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Hourly

Reports to: Grants Manager

Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing date of this position: Open until filled

Organizational Background:

Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization with over 900,000 members. Equality California brings the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. For more than 20 years, Equality California has been fighting for full, lived LGBTQ+ equality in a number of ways: electing pro-equality leaders up and down the ballot; passing pro-equality legislation in California, Nevada and Washington, DC; and fighting for LGBTQ+ civil rights and social justice in the courtroom.

Equality California Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization that has a parallel mission to Equality California, its 501(c)(4) counterpart. Equality California Institute works to achieve full, lived LGBTQ+ equality by reducing disparities in LGBTQ+ health and well-being, developing a pipeline of LGBTQ+ leaders and increasing civic participation within the LGBTQ+ community.

Position Overview:

Equality California and Equality California Institute seek a full-time Grants Associate to help support grant fundraising strategies. The Grants Associate will have both internal and external facing responsibilities, including identifying, developing, writing, and submitting grant proposals and reports that meet the organization’s financial targets. In addition, the Grants Associate will cultivate and maintain relationships with foundation contacts and program officers. This position will require excellent oral and exceptional written communication skills. Mastering Equality California messaging and voice, as well as an understanding the organization’s programs and program priorities, will be of utmost importance.  The successful candidate will be an excellent strategist, self-starter, and committed to Equality California’s mission.

Candidates should have a proven track record for writing successful grant proposals and have familiarity with foundations’ giving priorities and existing relationships with foundations. The Grants Associate will work with the development department and program department to create and submit grant proposals.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Develop, write, and submit grant proposals and reports that garner sizable support from foundations. This work includes:
   1. Coordinating the planning and preparation of grant proposals
   2. Carefully following grant application deadlines, requirements, and submission directions
   3. Preparing thorough grant applications in Equality California’s voice
   4. Preparing grant budgets that align with Equality California funding objectives
   5. Ensuring that the proposals are formatted, packaged, and submitted in accordance with the foundations’ directions
   6. Adhering to approval protocols, getting feedback, and incorporating edits from the Grants Manager and other appropriate organizational staff
   7. Submitting grant applications for identified opportunities
2. Support development and implementation of the annual grant fundraising strategy. This work includes:
   1. Researching foundations, corporate foundations, and government agencies to identify funding opportunities
   2. Utilize Foundation Center and other foundation research tools to inform strategy
   3. Identifying issue area funders, national funders, LGBTQ+ funders, corporate foundations, and government agency opportunities
   4. Providing advice and guidance on grant opportunities and if necessary, provide recommendations on which opportunities should or should not be prioritized
   5. Working with the development department to cultivate corporate foundations
   6. Maintaining Equality California’s library of reference documentation, including such information as financial documentation, past proposals and applications, organization background, and organization references
   7. Developing and cultivating relationships and maintaining effective communication with foundation program officers.

• Support proper data management. This includes:
  1. Maintaining accurate data for past, current, and prospective foundation donors and government grants
  2. Maintaining up to date contacts and funder information in EveryAction, Equality California’s development database
  3. Develop and maintain accurate tracking systems for foundation requirements, reporting deadlines, and application deadlines

1. Assist program department staff in preparing final grant reports, including report narratives and grant financial reports.
2. Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Applicants for this position should bring the following knowledge, abilities, and attitude:

• One to three years’ experience in grant writing and/or grant management OR experience in professional writing.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is a plus.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management and staff.
• This position is writing intensive. Exceptional writing skills are required.
• Knowledge, passion, and commitment to addressing issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community and to advancing equality and social justice generally.
• An understanding of program budgeting, with the ability to read and understand financial documents.
• Excellent with attention to detail and accuracy in spelling, grammar, facts, and content.
• Commitment to working across lines of difference including race, class, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and age to achieve objectives.
• Flexible and able to multitask, with experience responding to multiple priorities while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Ability to develop and produce grants and other proposals.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgements.

Salary will be based on experience and includes competitive benefits (healthcare, dental, vision, long/short term disability, life insurance and 401K). This position will be based in our Los Angeles office and will require a flexible schedule including evening and weekend work time, as well as regular travel across California. Staff based in the Los Angeles office have the option to work from home two days per week. This will also include participation in Equality California’s schedule of events, including Pride festivals, advocacy events, and more. Employees are reimbursed for mileage and must have a reliable car and be able to drive in California.

All employees must be up to date on their vaccination status in compliance with Equality California’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.  New employees must provide documentation as to their vaccination status 48 hours before their start date unless they are approved for an accommodation due to a medical reason or a sincerely held religious belief.

Equality California is an equal employment opportunity employer. Equality California does not make employment decisions or discriminate based on protected characteristics including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and/or gender expression), sexual orientation, age, physical or mental handicaps, veteran status, or genetic information as prescribed by applicable local, state, and federal law. We strongly encourage diverse candidates to apply, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, people of diverse gender identities, and non-LGBTQ+ allies.

Qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with the requirements of the California Consumer Reporting Agencies Act and Los Angeles’s Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

To apply:

Email resume (including names and contact of 3 references), cover letter and two writing samples to Erin Arendse at jobs@eqca.org. Please be sure to put “Grants Associate” in the subject line of your email.