Grants Writer in Fairfield, Iowa at Maharishi International University
Job Description
Position Summary:
Reporting to the CEO, the Grant Writer advances Maharishi International University's fundraising priorities by researching funding opportunities and developing clear, compelling grant proposals. The position works with Development leadership and colleagues across academic and administrative departments to turn institutional priorities and project ideas into fundable proposals, coordinate submissions, and support grant reporting and stewardship.
The grant portfolio may include student success and wellness, research and innovation, regenerative agriculture and sustainability, integrative health, academic programs, international student support, campus facilities, and others. The Grant Writer collaborates with project leaders and subject-matter experts to develop accurate proposals, while coordinating timelines, documentation, and budgets with Finance and other appropriate offices.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Grant Writing, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
- Three or more years of experience in grant writing, proposal development, fundraising, or related work.
- Demonstrated ability to research funding opportunities and produce clear, persuasive written materials.
- Excellent editing, communication, organization, and project-management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple proposals, deadlines, and stakeholder contributions while maintaining accurate documentation.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience using a CRM, grant-tracking database, or comparable system.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education or nonprofit grant development.
- Experience with foundation, corporate, state, or federal grant applications and reporting requirements.
- Experience developing proposals related to student success, mental health and wellness, research, sustainability, agriculture, integrative health, academic programming, or facilities.
- Experience with fundraising CRM or grants-management platforms, such as Raiser's Edge or comparable systems.
- Grant-related training or certification, such as the Grant Professionals Certification (GPC).
- Experience coordinating grant budgets, required matching funds, evaluation plans, or multi-department proposals.
Job Responsibilities:
FUNDING RESEARCH AND PIPELINE DEVELOPMENT
- Research foundations, government agencies, corporations, and other potential funders, assessing mission fit, eligibility, award size, restrictions, deadlines, and application requirements.
- Work with Development leadership and department representatives to identify fundable projects aligned with MIU's priorities and institutional capacity.
- Maintain a grant calendar and prospect pipeline, recommend opportunities for pursuit, and track decisions and proposal status.
PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUBMISSION
- Work with project leads and subject-matter experts to develop project concepts, letters of inquiry, proposals, and supporting materials.
- Draft and edit narratives that clearly present project need, goals, activities, outcomes, evaluation, sustainability, and alignment with the funder's priorities.
- Coordinate proposal timelines, internal reviews, approvals, attachments, and submission requirements across participating offices.
- Work with project leaders and Finance to develop and verify proposal budgets, matching funds, and supporting financial information.
- Submit complete and accurate applications through funder portals and maintain organized records of submitted materials.
AWARD COORDINATION, REPORTING, AND STEWARDSHIP
- Track award terms, reporting dates, deliverables, and other funder requirements, coordinating information gathering with project leads and Finance.
- Prepare or coordinate progress reports, final reports, and other funder communications for review and approval by the responsible leaders.
- Work with Development colleagues to support timely donors and funder acknowledgments, stewardship, and relationship records.
- Monitor proposal and award activity, maintain accurate records in the appropriate systems, and share status updates with Development leadership.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Build productive relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, Finance, and external funders and partners.
- Protect confidential information and follow university policies, funder requirements, and established approval processes.
- Perform other related duties and projects as assigned.
Skills:
- Grant prospect research, funder analysis, and pipeline management.
- Persuasive proposal writing, editing, and proofreading for varied audiences and funding programs.
- Project coordination, deadline management, and organization of concurrent proposals.
- Ability to synthesize technical and program information into clear project narratives and measurable outcomes.
- Budget coordination and attention to detail when reviewing proposal requirements and supporting materials.
- Collaboration and relationship-building across departments and with external funders.
- Proficiency with CRM, grant-tracking, document-management, and Microsoft Office tools.
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