Salary: Based on Experience
Start: As soon as possible
Closing date of this position: Open until filled
Reports to: Program Director
Direct Reports: Grants Associate
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 seeks a full time Associate Program Director to lead all grant fundraising strategies and support in grant management and program implementation.
The Associate Program Director 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.
The Associate Program Director will also cultivate and maintain relationships with foundation contacts and program officers.
In addition, the Associate Program Director will manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the Grants Associate.
This position will require excellent oral and written communication skills, and the successful candidate will have existing relationships with foundations.
Mastering Equality California messaging and voice and understanding the organization’s programs and program priorities will be of the 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 Associate Program Director will work closely with the Grants Associate and Program Department staff to execute grant proposals.
The position is based in our Los Angeles office and will be supervised by the Program Director with frequent interactions with the Executive Director, Managing Directors, and Development Director.
Responsibilities:
- Developing, writing, and submitting grant proposals and reports that garner sizable support from foundations and government agencies.
This work includes:
- Coordinates the planning and preparation of grant proposals; initiates strategy and incorporates guidance from the program department.
- Follow grant application deadlines and requirements.
- Answer grant applications thoroughly and in Equality California’s voice.
- Carefully follow application submission directions.
Prepares and compiles all the components of each grant submission, including preparing grant budgets that align with Equality California funding objectives, and ensuring that the proposals are formatted, packaged, and submitted in accordance with the foundations’ directions.
- Adhere to approval protocols, getting feedback and incorporating edits from the appropriate directors.
- Prepare final grant reports with assistance from the Program Department, including report narratives and grant financial reports.
- Develops and maintains a library of reference documentation, including such information as financial documentation, past proposals and applications, organization background, and organization references.
- Researching foundations, corporate foundations, and government agencies to identify funding opportunities:
- Develop a grant fundraising strategy for the year.
Including targets, issue area funders, national funders, LGBTQ+ funders, corporate foundations, and government agency opportunities.
- Provides advice and guidance to directors on grant opportunities and if necessary, provides recommendations on which opportunities we should or should not prioritize.
- The strategy should be carefully followed so that the organization’s leadership understands priorities and targets.
- Utilize Foundation Center and other foundation research tools to inform strategy.
- Work with the development department to prioritize corporate foundations.
- Submit grant applications and/or customized proposals for identified opportunities.
- Develop a grant fundraising strategy for the year.
- Develop and cultivate relationships and maintain effective communication with foundation program officers.
- Establish and maintain relationships with foundation contacts and program officers.
The Associate Program Director must anticipate potential changes in foundation funding strategies, thus maintaining relationships with foundation leaders is an important component of this position.
- Prospect identification: manage and execute appropriate strategies for identifying and soliciting new prospects and obtaining funding.
- Data Management: maintain accurate data in EveryAction for past, current, and prospective foundation donors and government grants.
Develop and maintain accurate tracking systems for foundation requirements, reporting deadlines, and application deadlines.
- Establish and maintain relationships with foundation contacts and program officers.
- Additional as assigned.
Qualifications:
Applicants for this position should bring the following knowledge, abilities, and attitude:
- At least 3 years’ experience in grant writing and/or grant management.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required.
- Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management and staff.
This position is writing-intensive, strong writing skills are required.
- An understanding of the role that institutional giving plays within an overall fundraising mix, including special events, individual giving, and corporate sponsorships.
- Knowledge, passion and commitment to addressing issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community as well as advancing equality and social justice generally.
- An understanding of program budgeting, with the ability to read and understand financial documents.
- An eye for 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.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Equality California and Equality California Institute staff are working remotely.
In compliance with the state and local guidance, all Equality California and Equality California Institute staff located in the greater Los Angeles County area are expecting to return to the office in early 2022, pending changes in key COVID-19 restrictions.
At that time, the Associate Program Director – Grants will be required to work from the Equality California headquarters located in Los Angeles.
Salary will be based on experience and includes competitive benefits (healthcare, dental, vision, long/short term disability, life insurance and 401K).
This full-time exempt position will be based out of the Los Angeles office and will require a flexible schedule including evening and weekend work time, as well as regular travel across California and sometimes, Nevada.
This will also include participation in Equality California’s schedule of events, including Pride festivals, advocacy events, and more.
Applicants will be reimbursed for mileage and must have a reliable car and be able to drive in California.
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 “Associate Program Director – Grants” in the subject line of your email.