Grants Writer (FT Position)

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Center for Craft, a national 501c3 nonprofit arts organization located in downtown Asheville, NC, is seeking a Grants Writer to support the organization's fundraising strategy through successfully securing foundation, corporation, local, state, and federal grants and evaluating the Center’s impact through quantitative and qualitative strategies. The successful candidate will create organized and compelling proposals through a deep understanding of and passion for the making and study of craft, applied knowledge of fundraising means and methods, ability to convincingly convey the impact of the Center and its programs, and working collaboratively across the organization to discover grant opportunities, and identify priorities.

The primary role of the Grants Writer is to maintain an active grants calendar, research and prospect potential grant-making opportunities, draft, edit, and submit quality grant proposals and prepare timely progress and final reports. Grants may include solicitations and proposals for general operating needs, programs, exhibitions, public art, and capital projects. 

With input from program staff, the Grants Writer also plans, develops, and executes audience surveys and evaluations, analyzes data, and reports on findings to staff. Using the findings from the data and analysis, the incumbent collaborates with staff to incorporate evaluation results into iterative planning and align practices and resources to strengthen programs. Results and documentation of evaluation and impact inform funding proposals and reports as well as the organization's strategic direction and allocation of resources.

The Grants Writer must have the ability to manage multiple grants simultaneously, meet deadlines, maintain accurate records, and generate clear, compelling, and concise reports. Requires excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to present information effectively and cultivate and maintain positive relationships with funders. The Grants Writer will work with staff to produce an annual report and draft other fresh and engaging promotional materials. 

Compensation: This position is full-time and exempt with occasional evenings/weekends and reports to the Director of Programs and Curator. The starting salary is $55,000 with full benefits to include Medical/Dental, Life Insurance, LTD and STD, and 401K, as well as 3 weeks paid leave and recognized federal holidays. Ideal candidates will relocate, yet remote applicants will be considered.  

Deadline: Applications will be accepted until February 24, 2025 or until the position is filled.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Grant Writing (75%)

• Write and edit clear, accurate, persuasive, and successful funding requests, including letters of inquiry, proposals, updates, and reports tailored to each funder's areas, mission, specifications, and deadlines. 
• Collaborate with staff to request and develop supporting information and documentation, such as program budgets, and translate that information to meet the donor's needs.
• Determine funding needs, opportunities, and priorities through regular meetings with organization leadership.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of foundation and individual donor grant standards, as well as proposal and report guidelines. Tracks deadlines, maintains a current calendar of proposal and report deadlines, and coordinates with other staff on the timely execution of grant submissions. 
• Maintain a database of grant and reporting materials, including grant agreements, confirming allocation of funds, and archiving all grant-related correspondence.
• Conduct prospect research for potential foundations, corporations, and local, state, and federal grants.
• Communicate with funders regarding submissions, questions about guidelines, and acknowledgment of grants, and provide a basic overview of the Center for Craft as needed. 
• Leveraging technology to write, edit, and creatively present engaging promotional materials for the Center for Craft, including grant materials, a year-end report, updates on Center for Craft activities for philanthropic audiences, and other correspondence with foundations and individual donors. 
• Keep current on best practices in grant writing, as well as developments, trends, and research in craft, craft studies, arts and culture, and museums.
• Participate in meetings of the Center for Craft funders as needed, including periodic donor events, to engage with funder partners and prospects and serve as an ambassador.  
• Research, collect, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data about our audiences and program participants in order to convey impact through data and stories.
  

Program Evaluation (25%)

• Work with staff to develop an evaluation plan for educational programs and exhibitions, collect evaluation data, and provide regular program reporting and internal communications about findings
• Collaborate with staff to identify and implement cost-effective, methodologically sound data collection practices. Identify measurable indicators of success for programs and exhibitions.
• Develop, implement, track, and report out on audience data and evaluation surveys
• Assist others in the design and implementation of evaluations
• Manage program evaluation and impact data collection and storage, including identifying and developing opportunities to make data more accessible across the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Art History or a related field, or its work experience equivalent in arts education and/or community development, and 4-5 years of prior grant writing experience in a non-profit organization, ideally in the arts. A working knowledge of the craft field is highly preferred. The following skills, qualities, and experiences are also a priority:

• Solid understanding of grant-making processes and reporting requirements
• Excellent communication skills, with ability to articulate ideas clearly and concisely in written and oral format 
• Ability to write effective and persuasive copy for grant proposals and reporting, member communications, and other materials
• Ability to tailor presentations for a range of audiences
• Highly developed writing and copy-editing skills
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills with the intent to develop and maintain positive relationships
• Ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion
• Demonstrated proficiency in systems used to track, evaluate, and monitor grants and projects
• Organized, self-motivated planner who may work independently or with a team 
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously within limited timeframes 
• Strategic and creative thinking with keen attention to detail
• Advanced computer knowledge to include Google Drive, Microsoft Office, Airtable, Monday.com, Little Green Light
  

The Center for Craft is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate against any individual or group based on age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The Center encourages applications from candidates who can complement the Center for Craft’s Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion work by offering unique perspectives and understanding of issues impacting groups traditionally under-represented in the field. Applying does not constitute a promise or guarantee of employment.

TO APPLY

Please send the application form, cover letter, C.V., and 3 writing samples (One up to 1,200 words, two up to 500 words each) to Marilyn Zapf, Director of Programs and Curator, at mzapf@centerforcraft.org. No phone calls please.

Offer of employment is contingent on successfully passing a background check.

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR CRAFT

Founded in 1996, the Center for Craft is a national 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to resource, catalyze, and amplify how and why craft matters. We increase access to craft by empowering and resourcing artists, researchers, organizations, and communities through grants, fellowships, and programs that bring people together. The Center is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential organizations working on behalf of craft in the United States. For more information, follow the Center at centerforcraft.org, and on Facebook and Instagram.