Freelance Grant Writer

SEI is seeking a temporary Freelance Grant Writer to work remotely from May 27th through August 9th, 2024, with the potential for future freelance work. The Freelance Grant Writer would work with SEI teams to write and submit competitive grant proposals for five departments: Energize Schools, Energize Careers, Climate Corps, Climate Corps Education Outside, and Energize Colleges. The Freelance Grant Writer will partner with department leads and program staff to conceptualize project concepts, create proposal content, and successfully project manage the proposal writing process leading to successful proposal submission.

Who are we?

SEI is a teams-based, non-profit organization dedicated to building leaders who drive sustainability solutions. Through our Education and Workforce programs, we partner with schools, communities, and businesses to develop inclusive and just sustainability leadership pathways from elementary school to early career.

The Impact You’ll Make

• Project management of specific large grant proposals, including outreach, grant project concept design, budgeting support, grant writing, grant submission.
• Support program development leads in creating proposal materials. Work with the specific flagship program to identify program design, budget, and proposal compliance, etc.
• Utilize established systems and processes for organizing and tracking proposal opportunities, including use of SEI’s CRM system.
• Contribute to fundraising meetings including: providing updates on project status, requesting relevant information and support as needed.
• Coordinate with various program leads, executive team members, and the Accounting and People Resources departments, as needed, to compile information needed for successful proposal submission.
• Partner with department heads on partnership development efforts related to opportunity development (cultivation and sustaining) through meeting involvement and documentation, capturing critical follow-up items and tracking, and relationship development.
• Evaluate effectiveness of proposals and all other activities, engage in a process of continuous reflection and improvement – teams, opportunities, and strategy towards greater success.

• Bachelor's degree or commensurate experience.
• Education or experience in sustainability, environmentalism, green energy, or a related field is preferred.
• At least 2 years of experience in grant writing, and prospect research or development efforts.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in project management.
• Strong verbal and written communication, analytical thinking, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under direct supervision, collaboratively in teams/partners, or independently.
• Experience and aptitude for rapport-building & working collaboratively with colleagues, partners, & clients.
• Genuine commitment to anti-racism, willingness to work in racial equity frameworks, and experience in addressing racism and racial equity with team members and programmatically.
• Adaptable—successfully navigates a busy work environment and collaborates with geographically dispersed team members.
• Clear, direct, and succinct writer.
• Comfortable learning and using the digital tools SEI uses—with little to no assistance, including but not limited to Google Workspace tools, Asana project management software, and a variety of proprietary software, and willing to try out new technologies and work tools.
• Commitment to being part of creating, maintaining, and improving a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace with a desire to continue education and training in the broader fields of inclusion and workplace diversity across all dimensions of equity.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to SEI’s mission.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

We seek candidates who share SEI’s commitment to equity and environmental justice, and who share a commitment to work and learn within an anti-oppression framework. Persons of color, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply. SEI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities thrive. We strive to reflect diverse communities, especially those most impacted by climate change and other kinds of environmental, social, and economic injustices.