Grant Specialist

Jewish Family Children's Services of the Suncoast

Jewish Family Children's Services of the Suncoast

Sarasota, FL, USA
Posted on Sep 26, 2025
Job Type
Full-time
Description

About the Department:

The Development & Marketing Department is responsible for fundraising, promoting JFCS and engaging with our community. Key functions include:

  • Fundraising – securing funding from individual donors, businesses, public and private foundations, community organizations and others
  • Public Relations – managing our public image and communicating our successes
  • Digital Marketing – utilizing social media, email campaigns and our website to reach a wider audience
  • Content Creation – developing engaging content that highlights our impact and the issues we address
  • Community Outreach – connecting with others to foster partnership and support
  • Volunteerism – recruiting and managing volunteers to support JFCS clients and programs

Job Summary:

The Grant Specialist is a key member of the Development team, supporting the growth of JFCS by building and sustaining a robust and diverse grant program, developing and supporting relationships with corporate sponsors, and supporting volunteer activities for the organization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Grant Writing and Sponsorships

  • Grant identification, preparation, submission, and reporting to meet revenue and program/mission goals
  • Work with Development Manager to identify larger grant opportunities and assist with proposal submission and reporting as needed.
  • Responsible for all county grants, including identification, preparation, submission, and reporting
  • Develop new foundation and corporate donors, maintain existing donor relationships, and solicit gifts for JFCS’ programs and services
  • Lead various aspects of JFCS’ annual fundraising efforts, including corporate sponsors
  • Assist in planning and executing fundraising and stewardship events
  • Prepare all funder reports and other critical stewardship activities
  • Research and solicit corporate donations

Volunteer Management

  • Ensure that volunteer inquiries are responded to in a timely manner and potential volunteers are connected with programs based on agency needs.
  • Work with HR to ensure proper background checks are completed for all volunteers having contact with JFCS clients.
  • Represent JFCS at volunteer expos and other events to increase community engagement in the agency mission.
  • Work with the Development Data Specialist to ensure consistent and timely tracking of volunteer hours and communications.
  • Work with program directors to support volunteers as needed.
  • Other related responsibilities as assigned
Requirements

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, nonprofit management or similar field required; Experience in development with a human services agency preferred
  • A minimum of three years’ fundraising and donor relations experience with a proven track record of building and sustaining donor/funder relationships and meeting revenue goals
  • Demonstrated success in preparing and submitting grant proposals, including cultivating relationships with foundations

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, time management and organizational skills.
  • Experience with planning and executing volunteer, fundraising, cultivation and stewardship events
  • Ability to meet deadlines and achieve activity and revenue goals
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRMs, such as Donor Perfect and Constant Contact.
  • Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
  • Commitment to cultural competency and working with diverse populations.
  • Ability to attend a wide range of volunteer and networking events to promote the message of JFCS
  • Passion for JFCS’ mission and ability to inspire donors

Training Requirements:

  • Completion of all required agency-wide and program-specific trainings.

Physical Requirements:

  • Desk work with computer usage for extended periods
  • Occasional irregular hours and capacity to work under pressure
  • Must be able to travel to off-site meetings during and outside of typical business hours
  • Full range of motion and corrected vision, hearing, and speech (or reasonable accommodations)