Grants Officer, US Programs

General Summary Of Position

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization dedicated to promoting peace and justice. As a Grants Officer, you will serve as a frontline fundraiser responsible for building and managing a portfolio of high-capacity institutional funders and prospects in support of AFSC's U.S. programs.

Essential Functions / Responsibilities And Accountabilities

• Manage and solicit a defined portfolio of high-capacity institutional funders and prospects; serve as the primary relationship manager and fundraiser for assigned accounts.

• Design and deliver customized funding offers (including multi-year, renewal, and restricted awards) and supplemental materials in partnership with program and finance colleagues; ensure written proposals and materials align with AFSC strategy, are competitively positioned, and reflect funder intent and compliance requirements.

• Develop and execute an annual portfolio plan and 12–24 month pipeline forecast for assigned programs and funders; report progress against revenue, renewal, and engagement targets established with the Sr. Director of Grants.

• Meet annual goals set by the Senior Director of Grants and Strategic Projects for grant requests submitted, size of grant requests submitted, funds raised, and other metrics as appropriate.

• Build and maintain funder relationships through proactive outreach and a disciplined engagement cadence (strategic calls, briefings, in-person visits/site visits as appropriate); maintain current knowledge of funder priorities and decision cycles.

• Cultivate contacts and ongoing relationships with institutional donors; understand their priorities, philosophies and particular interests; and interpret the work of AFSC in articulate, compelling, and creative ways.

• Ensure high-quality stewardship for assigned accounts: deliver timely reports and updates, coordinate impact communications and recognition as appropriate, and maintain strong retention and upgrade strategies.

• Own end-to-end partnership development for assigned accounts: qualification, cultivation, solicitation, negotiation of scope/budget/terms, award close, renewal strategy, and stewardship.

• Partner with program leadership and Development leadership to identify, qualify, and cultivate new institutional prospects; conduct prospect research and develop entry strategies that expand and diversify the US programs.

• Translate program strategy into fundable plans: clarify outcomes/indicators, budgets, narratives, and evidence; align internal deliverables and timelines to funder requirements.

• Lead internal orchestration for key funder relationships: coordinate involvement of program leadership, finance, MEL, communications, and senior leadership/volunteers as appropriate; prepare colleagues for funder meetings and ensure consistent messaging and follow-up.

• Negotiate and manage post-award requirements for assigned portfolio: confirm deliverables and reporting cadence; anticipate and mitigate compliance or performance risks; coordinate audits and corrective action plans in collaboration with Finance and program teams.

• Maintain accurate and timely records in Salesforce and the document management system (moves management, proposal stages, probability, award documentation, reporting schedules, and contact notes) to support forecasting and organizational reporting.

• Track all activity in AFSC’s fundraising databases and keep records up to date.

• Maintain and keep current knowledge of assigned programs through regular internal engagement, reading relevant resources and topics, participation in events when appropriate, and periodic travel for program and funder-facing work.

• Continue to develop professional expertise in institutional fundraising, including grant strategy, relationship management, negotiation, and compliance, through ongoing professional development.

Supervisory / Management Requirements

NA

Minimum Experience And Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related or relevant field required.

• Minimum five years experience in raising grant funds from foundations, corporations, or governments required.

• Experience collaborating to write and edit compelling proposals in a deadline driven environment.

• Experience working with fundraising software required, preferably Salesforce experience.

• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends and to travel.

• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.

• Ability to work independently and within a team environment.

• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.

• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.

• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.

• Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies.

• Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.

• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.