If you’re a storyteller who loves strategy, a writer motivated by impact, and someone who gets excited about turning possibilities into opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.
Position: Proposal and Grant Writer Salary: $95,000.00
YMCA Youth & Family Services (YFS) is looking for an exceptional writer, strategic thinker, and relationship-builder to join our team as our Proposal & Grant Writer.
About the Job:
Working directly with the Executive Director and YFS program leadership, you’ll learn about the work happening across youth development, family services, behavioral health, school-based programs, and community services and translate that expertise and impact into compelling opportunities for investment. You’ll lead proposal and grant development across government, foundation, corporate, and other institutional funding opportunities while helping YFS build a strong, sustainable funding pipeline.
What You Will Lead at the Y:
Find the Right Opportunities
- Research and identify funding opportunities that align with YFS programs and priorities. Build a forward-looking pipeline of RFPs, grants, and renewals and help leadership evaluate where YFS can be most competitive and have the greatest impact.
Develop Compelling Proposals
- Lead proposals from opportunity through submission, translating complex programs, community needs, partnerships, and outcomes into clear, persuasive narratives. Partner with program, finance, and leadership teams to ensure budgets, staffing, outcomes, and commitments come together into a strong and credible proposal.
Strengthen Funder Partnerships
- Support renewals, reporting, and funder communications that demonstrate impact and responsible stewardship while helping YFS build lasting relationships with funding partners.
What You Bring
- 5 or more years of relevant experience in grant writing, proposal development, institutional fundraising, government contracting, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success developing competitive grant proposals, government RFP responses, or other complex funding requests.
- Exceptional writing, editing, research, and analytical skills.
- Ability to understand budgets and financial information and connect them to strong program narratives.
- Excellent organization and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with program experts, finance teams, senior leaders, community partners, and funders.
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Why You'll Love Working at the Y:
Use your writing and strategic thinking to help expand what’s possible for young people, families, and communities. You’ll work alongside leaders who understand their communities and connect their expertise with funding partners who can help strengthen, sustain, and expand the work.
- Competitive salary of $95,000.00
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 10% YMCA retirement contribution
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- Professional development and leadership opportunities
- Complimentary YMCA family membership
- The opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of our members and communities
Bring Your Perspective. Help Strengthen Our Community. We know strong teams are built by people with different experiences, perspectives, and paths. If this opportunity excites you and you believe your experience can contribute to the work, we encourage you to apply today.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a workplace culture where all employees are treated with fairness and respect.
Skills Required
- 5 or more years of relevant experience in grant writing, proposal development, institutional fundraising, government contracting, or a related field
- Demonstrated success developing competitive grant proposals, government RFP responses, or other complex funding requests
- Exceptional writing, editing, research, and analytical skills
- Ability to understand budgets and financial information and connect them to strong program narratives
- Excellent organization and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with program experts, finance teams, senior leaders, community partners, and funders
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
What We Do
The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is a nonprofit, cause-driven community organization serving the Washington, DC area and surrounding region. It provides programs and services centered on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, including wellness, aquatics, youth sports, summer camps, childcare, mentoring, and other community-support initiatives. Its mission is to foster the spiritual, mental, and physical development of individuals, families, and communities.
