Short-Term Grant Writer

May 3, 2020 | Association for Conflict Resolution
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The Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) is a multidisciplinary and multicultural professional organization enhancing the practice and public understanding of conflict resolution and collaborative problem-solving throughout the United States and around the world. It brings together mediators, arbitrators, educators, and other conflict resolution practitioners to give voice to the value of our collective expertise.

The Environment and Public Policy (EPP) section promotes and supports environmental and public policy dispute resolution programs. Our members work on environmental issues and a broad range of public and organizational concerns. We provide opportunities to interact within the field, learn and improve skills, and promote good practices. The grant writer will support specifically the following

Job Summary:

We are looking for an experienced grant writer to draft compelling language to raise funds to advance key priorities for the Association of Conflict Resolution’s (ACR) Environment and Public Policy (EPP) section:

  • Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sector.
  • Raising awareness and understanding of the power and value of conflict resolution and collaborative problem solving in environment and public policy.

Compensation: USD 5,000.00 of funding secured.

Deadline of Application: May 15, 2020. Applicants will be notified before June 1st.

Committees of the EPP section:

  • Diversity & Equity (D&E) Committee: The EPP and conflict resolution and collaborative problem-solving field continue to lack racial and ethnic diversity among its practitioners. In fact, a 2016 survey of EPP members and conference attendees, revealed that 91% of respondents identified themselves as White/Caucasian. Recognizing the existing barriers in the field, the D&E Committee seeks to raise funds to establish a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Fellowship Program to support a two-year position at a member organization, ultimately providing a stable and paid pathway to the field for people of color. The purpose of this program is to further advance diversity, equity, and inclusion competencies and knowledge across the field, creating a network of committed organizations with a common goal of broadening the field.
  • New Directions (NDC) Committee: To broaden the reach of the EPP section and ACR more generally, the NDC committee wants to engage professional messaging and marketing experts to develop a successful and creative messaging campaign. The goals are to reach new clients, sectors, and potential members and to raise public understanding and awareness of the value of conflict resolution and collaborative problem solving. The raised funds will allow EPP to hire a communications and marketing service to create a communications primer and in-board digital marketing plan and pilot campaign.

Responsibilities and Duties:

The grant writer is expected to support the EPP section – in particular, the Diversity & Equity and New Directions Committees – in raising significant funds to advance the Sections’ work in the following two priority areas: 1) advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sector, and 2) raising awareness and understanding of the power and value of conflict resolution and collaborative problem solving in environment and public policy. Core roles and responsibilities include:

  • Research and identify at least 15 potential funders (or funding opportunities) for each priority area. Funding can come from philanthropic, corporate, and/or non-profit sources. In addition, the grant writer is expected to identify the top 5 funders for each priority area.
  • Develop a database of funders for each priority area that includes mission, funding areas, submissions guidelines, level of effort, and a timeline of deadlines (among other valuable information).
  • Draft standard language and key messages for each priority area, including a clear problem statement, the proposal, goals, the intended outcomes and impacts, deliverables, metrics, and reporting. Ultimately, this language should mirror the standard requirements and guidelines of the top 5 funders for each area.
  • Finalize one grant proposal for submission for each priority area based on best fit and nearest deadline.
  • Organize and securely store materials developed in an accessible cloud location.
  • Check-in periodically with a member from the D&E and ND Committees to report on progress and develop a summary progress report by the end of the period of performance.

Qualifications and Skills:

We are looking for a hard-working and committed individual to with:

  • Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written
  • Previous experience writing grant proposals
  • Proficiency in English
  • Knowledge of fundraising information sources
  • Ability to think critically about the purpose of fundraising and potential synergies with funders’ priorities
  • Excellent organizational and research skills
  • Ability to track multiple deadlines and priorities
  • Interest in environment, public policy, and/or alternative dispute resolution
  • Proficiency with MS Office Word and Excel

Submission of Application:

If you are interested, please send a resume, writing sample (previous grant proposal preferred), and statement of interest with one reference (half a page) to Sara Omar somar@kearnswest.com by COB (ET) Friday, May 15 2020. The EPP section has secured USD 5,000 for this short-term position.

Thank you for your consideration! This interesting opportunity allows ACR to grow and expand its reach. As both of these funding efforts represent a sustaining commitment for the association, future opportunities may exist