About Us The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU of Florida) is a leading civil rights and liberties organization committed to safeguarding the principles of equality, justice, and freedom for all. As an affiliate of the ACLU, Inc., a national organization with over 100 years of history, we work to uphold constitutional rights through litigation, advocacy, and public education. We address a wide range of issues, including racial justice, voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, criminal justice reform, and more. Our goal is to ensure that the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution are protected for every individual in Florida. Through a strategic combination of legal action, policy advocacy, and community engagement, we strive to make lasting positive impacts across the state.
Position Overview The ACLU of Florida is seeking a Development & Grant Writer to join our Development Department. This position plays a crucial role in securing grant funding to support our mission, cultivating relationships with funders, and managing grant-related reporting and communications. Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, the Development & Grant Writer will work closely with various departments within the organization to ensure alignment between programmatic needs and fundraising efforts. This role can be remote or based in our Miami office, with occasional travel required for meetings and training.
Key Responsibilities Grant Writing: Manage a portfolio of institutional funders to support the programmatic work of the ACLU of Florida. Identify and research potential grant opportunities from Florida-based and national funders. Collaborate with National ACLU staff to identify and approach national funders who support regional work. Develop, write, and submit clear, creative, and compelling grant proposals that align with the ACLU's mission. Schedule and track grant activities, alerting program staff to upcoming deadlines for proposals and reports. Ensure compliance with funder agreements, including the timely submission of required reports and deliverables. Maintain regular communication with funders, providing updates on the ACLU's work and ensuring their continued engagement and support. Partner with finance staff to create and monitor grant budgets, ensuring transparency and alignment with project goals. Develop and execute cultivation and grant application strategies to maximize financial support for ACLU priorities. Development Writing: Write and produce persuasive proposals, donor impact reports, campaign appeals, and other development materials. Create engaging campaign collateral such as letters, brochures, and limited website content that clearly articulate funding priorities. Collaborate with team members across departments to gather information and data needed for proposals and other written materials. Develop tailored communication plans to maintain regular contact with funders, ensuring they remain informed about key issues and program developments. Qualifications: Strong commitment to the mission and values of the ACLU, including a demonstrated commitment to equity and racial justice. Minimum of three years of experience in nonprofit grant writing, management, and reporting, with a proven track record of securing grant funding, or comparable experience. Experience identifying, cultivating, and stewarding funders, with a talent for building strong relationships. Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills. Ability to simplify complex themes and activities into clear, compelling proposals and other written materials. Familiarity with discussing public policy advocacy and litigation to promote social justice is a plus. Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines. Experience using donor database management and CRM systems is preferred. Proficiency with office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and donor databases (Salesforce, Research Point, Looker) is highly desirable. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, exercising good judgment in fast-paced or challenging situations. Flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing responsibilities and new tasks. Availability for occasional travel within Florida and limited travel outside of Florida for training. Fluency in Spanish or Creole is preferred but not required. Knowledge of the Florida Foundation community is preferred. Compensation & Benefits: Salary Range: $60,000 - $68,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits Include: Health and dental insurance. Generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave policies. Employer-matched Defined Contribution/401K Retirement Plan. Base vacation leave of five weeks per year (increasing to six weeks after five years).