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Make a difference working at Houston Arts Alliance.

Development Writer, Development Division

About Houston Arts Alliance

 Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) is a local arts and culture nonprofit whose principal work is to implement the City of Houston’s vision, values, and goals for its arts grantmaking and civic art investments. HAA’s work is conducted through contracts with the City of Houston, overseen by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. HAA also executes privately funded special projects to meet the needs of the arts community, such as disaster preparation, research on the state of the arts in Houston, and temporary public art projects that energize neighborhoods. 

In short, HAA helps artists and nonprofits be bold, productive, and strong. 

HAA prioritizes diverse perspectives that create better solutions and service for the people we serve, including diversity in age, self-identities, and all other domains. Those with backgrounds typically not recognized by corporate structures are encouraged to apply, including those with employment gaps, long term unemployment status, varied life experiences, and those touched by the legal system.

Summary

The Development Division is charged with raising funds through corporate, individual, and foundation support, as well as the planning and execution of the annual gala.  These donations are used to fund disaster related services, research, and other projects and programs not covered by HAA’s two city contracts. 

Position Overview

The Development Writer is responsible for a comprehensive grants program including writing grant proposals and reports, gathering report data, stewarding existing partnerships, researchingresearching, and cultivating new partnerships that lead to philanthropic revenue for the Houston Arts Alliance, and interfacing with colleagues to complete their responsibilities. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development Writer collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to meet annual fiscal goals.

Grants Management 

  • Support fundraising goals of HAA through identification, management, and stewardship of grant funders, family foundations, government agencies, corporations and prospects.

  • Assist the Director of Development in the creation of the fundraising grant calendar per annum and subsequently manage the grant calendar 

  • Draft grant proposals or applications with the compliance and reporting requirements required for review by the Director of Development and Chief Executive Officer 

  • Develop and proof all required documents to accompany proposals, ensuring that they are error-free, accurate and complete.

  • Prepare preliminary grant proposal budgets for requests with the Director of Development and Chief Operations Officer 

  • Participate in the collection of HAA’s metrics, division and organization wide, in support of grants management 

  • Prepare the reports for funding opportunities by collecting metrics for project impact and maintaining positive grantor relationships 

Database Management

  • Record the follow-up and interest in the database of funding opportunities and awards 

  • Record and maintain error-free data related to grant-seeking scope, timeline, key contacts, and other critical data 

  • Work as needed with consultants to discuss funding opportunities

Prospect research: 

  • Develop strategy for proactive research that will guide donor-centric and data-driven decision-making related to prospects and donors. 

  • Identify, rate, and assign individual prospects in support of fundraising goals and objectives. 

  • Researching donor prospect opportunities from individuals, foundations and corporations

  • Providing timely and accurate information and strategy to support fundraising efforts

  • Analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating financial, business, personal, and biographical information for current and potential donors

  • Initiate outreach and set meetings for Director of Development to explore prospect relationships and opportunities with grantors

  • Develop and pitch ideas to Director of Development and CEO matching grantor priorities to organizational aspirations or extant programs

Skills and Experience

  • Knowledge of turning values related to race justice and other equities into action through your job responsibilities

  • Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Creative Writing, or related area

  • 3 to 5 years of experience as a successful grant writer or researcher, preferably with an arts focus

  • Previous grant budget development and management experience

  • Knowledge of grant application process, scoring criteria and funding cycles

  • Ability to handle confidential information with the utmost integrity.

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

  • Proficient in MS Office and database skills, Donor Perfect preferred, and in the use of online research tools such as Wealth Engine, DonorSearch, Foundation Directory Online, etc. 

  • Ability to synthesize large amounts of information into clear ideas and closely align proposals and language with funder priorities.

  • Motivated and self-sufficient to manage multiple projects and timelines to meet strict grant deadlines and keep projects on track.

  • Possess a spirit of collaboration and compassion to build trust with colleagues and partners. Help team members stay on track with grant deadlines and planning.

  • Ability to work within a complex institution with all levels of leadership, staff, volunteers, and donors 

  • Knowledge of techniques and methodologies of donor and prospect research using both online and traditional print sources

  • Strong attention to detail and highly organized

Supervisor

Director of Development

Compensation  

$55k per year. This is a full time, salaried position and is exempt from overtime pay.

Equal Opportunity

Houston Arts Alliance is an equal-opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions.

TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter via email to externalaffairs@haatx.com with “Development Writer” in the subject line of your email by Friday, May 24, 2024, at 5 PM. Please no phone calls.