Institutional Giving Specialist I

POSITION OVERVIEW:

La Familia seeks a resourceful, exceptionally strong writer to help secure the funding that sustains and expands essential services across the communities we serve. The Institutional Giving Specialist I is an essential role to organizational revenue both as a hands-on grant writer and proactive funding prospect researcher, primarily focused on identifying and pursuing new government RFPs, Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), competitive bids, and other public funding opportunities. This position translates complex solicitations and program concepts into clear, persuasive, accurate proposals; drives assigned applications from research through submission; and supports a portfolio of institutional funders. The Specialist also develops selected private foundation proposals, representing 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), this position helps La Familia pursue strategic growth through compelling, competitive funding requests.

This role will uphold and champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Proactive Funding Prospecting & Opportunity Assessment

• Actively source new city, county, regional, state, and federal RFPs, NOFOs, competitive bids, and other public funding opportunities; identify select private foundation prospects aligned with La Familia’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Go beyond monitoring familiar funders: research emerging opportunities, funding shifts, new jurisdictions, and adjacent program areas; assess fit, competitiveness, eligibility, award size, and deadlines to inform timely go/no-go decisions.
• Build and maintain a forward-looking prospect pipeline and accurate opportunity records, including solicitation requirements, deadlines, funder intelligence, and next steps.

Grant Writing, Proposal Development & Submission

• Serve as a lead writer and day-to-day project owner for assigned government proposals and selected private foundation applications, managing the process from solicitation analysis and outline development through final submission.
• Write original, compelling, evidence-informed grant narratives, including statements of need, program approaches, implementation plans, outcomes, organizational capacity, and sustainability; tailor each response 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 secure accurate inputs and meet deadlines.
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize program outcomes, participant impact data, community needs assessments, and organizational performance metrics to strengthen proposals and competitive funding requests.
• Collaborate with Finance and the Manager of Institutional Giving on proposal budgets, ensuring narratives, service models, staffing, deliverables, and financial assumptions are consistent.
• Interpret complex RFP/NOFO instructions, scoring rubrics, eligibility rules, and submission portals; independently edit, proofread, and quality-check applications for responsiveness, clarity, accuracy, completeness, and competitiveness.

Portfolio & Grant Management

• 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 the appropriate internal owners; track completion and escalate risks early.
• Support post-award grant management activities, including interpretation of grant agreements, tracking deliverables, monitoring reporting schedules, and coordinating with internal stakeholders to support compliance with funder requirements.
• 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 to support long-term funding strategies and future opportunities.
• Support stewardship and relationship-building with government funders and public-sector partners.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Finance on budgets and fiscal information and with Operations/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 to support efficient and effective funding operations.
• Support development of grant-related SOPs, templates, calendars, and systems that reduce reactive work and strengthen proposal quality.

Other 

• Attend trainings and participate in events relevant to key responsibilities.
• Track and regularly report on key metrics for the responsible function areas.
• Participates in and supports cross-functional projects that advance Agency goals and strategic initiatives.
• Effectively manage multiple concurrent funding opportunities and competing deadlines while maintaining a high standard of 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 within agency tracking systems.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• 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; experience preparing government RFP/NOFO responses is especially valuable.
• 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.
• Demonstrated experience independently researching new funding opportunities and assessing solicitations for strategic fit; county, state, or federal competitive grant-writing experience strongly preferred.
• 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; experience with project-management and CRM/grants systems is a plus.
• Experience in non-profit and community-based organizations preferred. 
• Demonstrates and models excellent “customer service” orientation and ability to work with diverse populations. 
• Exercises extreme discretion with the ability to hold, balance, and transmit public and confidential information needed by various parties. 
• Valid CA Driver’s license required. 
  • Auto insurance: If your vehicle is used for business-related purposes, it is recommended that you inform your auto insurance carrier.   

BENEFITS:

• Excellent Health benefits package for you and your family, including: 
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits with 95% employee and 80% dependent employer premium contributions, and employer-paid life insurance.
• Vacation, 15 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days upon accrual
• Employee Assistance Plan to support you and your family’s well-being and finances 
• Pet Plan Benefit: 
  • 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 & excellent work hours
  • La Familia understands the importance of work-life balance! Our therapists enjoy flexible scheduling options, including hybrid work arrangements, to ensure high-quality client care while maintaining their well-being.
• License and Certification renewals reimbursed.
• Supportive/Collaborative work environment 
• Opportunities for Growth and Professional Development
  • We believe in growing together. As a team member, you’ll have access to structured mentorship and ongoing training. Whether you’re pursuing licensure or looking to specialize in clinical psychology, we support your growth every step of the way.

As part of the interview process, finalists may be asked to complete a brief skills-based assessment related to the position. This exercise is intended to give candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their relevant skills, experience, and approach to the work without the use of AI.

Additional details, timelines, and instructions will be shared with selected candidates as they move forward in the recruitment process.