Grant Writer
The Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice’s (SCIJ) Grant Writer is a core member of the organization who is responsible for SCIJ’s grants, including prospect research, formulation, preparation, submission, and tracking of grant proposals, letters of inquiry/concept, progress reports, and maintaining an annual grants calendar.
The Grant Writer will be joining SCIJ at a pivotal moment as SCIJ seeks to build on the momentum of its successful first three years. Having already established programs at Worcester State University and Brown University (and now expanded to UMass Boston) where SCIJ trained 84 students, provided pro bono representation to 137 asylum seekers, and launched two organizing campaigns, the Grant Writer will play a key role in growing SCIJ’s impact through its grant-writing efforts.
About SCIJ
Building on the decades-long rich history of student leadership in the immigrant justice movement, the Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice (SCIJ) is a community expanding access to representation by collaborating with immigration service organizations to provide pro bono legal support to asylum seekers and developing a network to advocate for transformative change by engaging students and community members in direct action organizing.
Salary & Benefits
The Grant Writer will be paid an hourly rate of $55-$100/hr (commensurate with experience) plus benefits as listed below. SCIJ is also interested in and open to working with someone on a consulting basis.
Health Insurance with Tufts (50% paid by SCIJ)
Dental Insurance with Tufts (50% paid by SCIJ)
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Professional Development Assistance
Travel reimbursement
8 days of paid time off per year and 10 paid days off for federal holidays
40 hours of paid sick time
This position will generally require ~20 hours of work per week. The position’s exact schedule is flexible to meet the needs of the applicant and SCIJ. The position will be entirely remote, with occasional (1-2) in-person meetings during the year. In the event you are interested in working with SCIJ on a consulting basis, this is flexible to meet the needs of SCIJ and you.
With the impacts of the US’s punitive immigration system felt most harshly by Latinx, Black, African, and Middle Eastern immigrants, especially LGBTQ+, gender-minority, working-class, and disabled immigrants, SCIJ is committed to creating a community within its staff, students, board, and volunteers that reflects this diversity. Two of SCIJ’s core values include Immigrants First and Committed to Anti-Racism, a reflection of SCIJ’s commitment to actively and continuously empower those who are “most impacted by immigration policies, specifically immigrants and first-generation Americans, while also recognizing the multiple ways power and race influence all facets of society.” As an equal opportunity employer, SCIJ is focused on developing a community where people most impacted by immigration policies can thrive and building a staff, board, and volunteer base that reflects this commitment.
Employment with SCIJ is on an “Employment-At-Will” basis. In other words, you or SCIJ may terminate employment for any reason and at any time, with or without notice. Similarly, the terms of employment outlined in this description are subject to change at any time.
Job Responsibilities
Develop and write grant proposals, concept papers, and letters of inquiry with the goal of securing $200,000+ in programmatic and operating support;
Ensure ongoing communication and reporting with funders including but not limited to submitting timely and accurate reports;
Work with the Executive Director to identify prospective grant sources (private, corporate, and government) to support SCIJ’s programs, services, and operations;
Maintain an accurate grants calendar, scheduling and tracking of all grant activities and deadlines;
Oversee the evaluation process to ensure compliance with the funder’s requirements;
Work closely with the Executive Director on the budgetary aspects of grant proposals, and with other staff on program needs, tracking data, and reporting on outcomes;
Work in conjunction with Executive Director to ensure that corporate and foundation gifts are entered into SCIJ’s database, and reports are accurate and current;
Work with the Executive Director to generate accurate, meaningful, and timely acknowledgment letters for grants received.
Qualifications and Skills
SCIJ is looking for a Grant Writer with lived experiences in immigrant communities and a passion for immigrant justice. The ideal candidate should be articulate, thoughtful, enthusiastic, flexible, self-motivated, dependable, responsible, and creative. In addition, the ideal candidate would be someone committed to abolition, who understands the immigration system as a racist structure and is invested in power building. Qualifications and skills include:
3+ years of direct nonprofit grant writing experience, preferably as a member of a development/ fundraising team
Successful track record securing grants from various sources; including $20k+ and multi-year grants
Experience conducting foundation grant prospecting and knowledge of the New England philanthropic community preferred
Experience working in grassroots community groups
Leadership and coordination experience and skills
Deeply self-motivated
Growth mindset and a commitment to reflective practice
Strong interpersonal skills, including excellent written and verbal communication
Proven track record of exceptional relationship-building both internally and externally.
Must have experience with Google Suite (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms)
If you’re interested in this position but feel that you do not or may not have the experience necessary, we’d still love to chat with you
Physical Requirements
Needs to be able to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc
Needs to be able to constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer
Needs to be able to frequently communicate with students, staff, and community partners. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
The above information outlines the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this position. It is not designed as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job; nor is it a contract for employment. SCIJ will make reasonable accommodations as they relate to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
How to Apply
To apply, please send your resume to info@SCIJimmigration.org and put “Grant Writer – [Your Name]” in the subject line. In addition to including your resume, please also include a list of notable grants you have written and been awarded, and share responses to the following 2 questions (max 200 words each): (1) Why is immigrant justice important to you?; and (2) Why do you want to join SCIJ as the Grant Writer?
You may also include a cover letter, however, this is optional. If you are looking for resources on formatting your resume or cover letter, you can optionally use one of these resources: Hiatt Career Center, BHCC Career Advising, and Indeed.com.
If you have any questions, please contact info@SCIJimmigration.org and put “Grant Writer – [Your Name]” in the subject line