Grant Writer

About the role

MWVCAA invests in people and their futures to reduce the impacts of poverty. We envision a just future, where our communities are empowered to reach positive outcomes and everyone is respected for their infinite worth. Working at MWVCAA means becoming part of a mission-driven community dedicated to equity, dignity, and opportunity for all.

The Grant Writer is responsible for identifying, developing, and submitting competitive grant applications that advance the agency's mission and strategic priorities. This position serves as the primary grant development resource for housing, shelter, and community programs, working closely with program leadership to transform operational needs into compelling funding proposals. Beyond proposal writing, this position supports strategic program development by researching funding opportunities, maintaining grant development calendars, assisting with program design, and helping position the agency for long-term funding sustainability. This team offers growth opportunities and professional development through hands-on experience.

Responsibilities

• Research, identify, and evaluate federal, state, local, and private funding opportunities for alignment with organizational priorities and capacity.
• Review and interpret Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and funding guidelines to identify eligibility requirements, scoring criteria, reporting obligations, and submission requirements.
• Collaborate with program leadership to develop competitive funding strategies, evidence-informed program designs, implementation plans, logic models, and performance measures.
• Gather and synthesize research, demographic data, community assessments, best practices, and program performance data to develop compelling grant narratives.
• Coordinate proposal development across program, finance, data, compliance, and executive leadership to ensure accurate, complete, and competitive applications.
• Develop proposal timelines and prepare, assemble, review, and submit complete grant applications, including all required forms, budgets, certifications, attachments, and supporting documentation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with funding agencies throughout the application process, including responding to requests for clarification and technical questions.
• Support grant start-up activities by organizing award documents, developing implementation materials, and coordinating activities necessary to transition newly awarded grants into operational programs.
• Develop post-award compliance calendars identifying reporting deadlines, performance milestones, required deliverables, and other grant obligations.
• Collaborate with program, finance, and compliance staff to support successful grant implementation and ensure program managers understand award requirements.
• Develop and maintain centralized libraries of proposal narratives, templates, organizational documents, attachments, funding opportunities, submission schedules, and other grant development resources.
• Track proposal outcomes, reviewer feedback, funding history, and lessons learned to improve future applications.
• Strengthen organizational grant writing capacity by developing internal tools, facilitating proposal planning meetings, and providing training, coaching, and technical assistance to staff.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with funding agencies, community partners, and stakeholders, including coordinating partnership agreements, letters of support, and participation in funder meetings, workshops, and technical assistance sessions.
• Perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
• Two years of grant writing experience, including federal, state, county, municipal, and foundation sources required.
• Experience with HUD Continuum of Care and Oregon Housing and Community Services funding preferred.
• Knowledge of homelessness, housing, behavioral health, or human services systems preferred.
• Experience facilitating collaborative planning processes preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid driver license, insured vehicle available for use on the job, and a satisfactory drive record for the previous three years are required.
• Basic Life Support/First Aid Certification is required within first 30 days of hire.
• Candidate must pass a comprehensive MWVCAA background screening prior to employment.
• Candidate must pass pre-employment and random drug screenings.

Skills

• Exceptional professional writing, editing, and communication skills, with the ability to analyze and translate complex information into clear, persuasive written materials.
• Strong analytical, research, and critical thinking skills, including the ability to interpret program data, performance metrics, and funding requirements.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands and manage multiple concurrent deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), database software, online collaboration tools, and virtual meeting platforms.
• Experience using Grants.gov, e-snaps, JustGrants, eGMS, or similar grant management and submission systems preferred.
• Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Regularly lift and/or move 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Manual dexterity for handling office equipment.
• Occasional driving in all weather conditions to community and agency sites in Polk, Marion, and Lane counties.
• Ability to move about the workspace.
• Ability to reach and/or extend to access materials or equipment.
• Ability to regulate emotions during interactions with escalated clients and staff.
• Ability to regulate emotions and handle pressures of frequent demands for attention, time, and work tasks.

Work Environment

• Mostly indoor work environment with frequent interruptions and demands.
• Close quarters, often with a public client population experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, and/or severe and persistent mental illness, and/or unpredictable behavior.
• Frequent interruptions and demands; frequent noise.
• Occasional remote work from home.
• Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Occasional exposure to body fluids/biohazards (such as saliva, vomit, and urine).

Benefits

• 401k contribution after 1 year.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Life insurance.
• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance.
• For some positions, employees may be eligible for company-sponsored continuing education.

Schedule

Monday-Friday. Shift flexibility required.