Grant Writer

~ Northern Plains is a grassroots organization of people from the plains and mountains, cities and towns. We are everyday Montanans who love where we live. We stand up, shoulder-to-shoulder, to protect this place we all call home. ~

• “We all love this place we call Montana. We believe that land and water and air are not ours to despoil, but ours to steward for future generations.” - Paul Hawks (rancher, Melville, MT)

We believe that true prosperity begins with healthy land, water, and air. We believe that our families, farms, ranches, schools, businesses, governments, and communities thrive when we are good stewards of these resources. We believe that if we look beyond our fences, listen to one another, and keep our minds open, we will find creative solutions to secure a clean, healthful environment for all.

We are working toward a future where we live in harmony with nature, where our economy serves the people rather than the people serving the economy, where neighbors work side-by-side to build a world that lives up to our ideals of fairness, inclusion, and justice.

For 48 years, Northern Plains Resource Council has helped Montanans organize to protect water quality, family farms and ranches, and our unique quality of life.

• “This thriving citizens organization exemplifies the ideal of public involvement in public processes.” – Billings Gazette

Job Description

Our Grant Writer is primarily responsible for raising money from external sources such as foundations, churches, and other granting institutions – private foundations being by far the biggest source of our external fundraising. 

This means maintaining effective relationships, producing quality written materials, conducting research, and meeting deadlines.  The Grant Writer also has responsibilities in other aspects of our fundraising and our overall organizational work. 

• The position of Grant Writer is a full-time (35-40 hours/week, negotiable) hourly position.
• While each employee at Northern Plains has individual work assignments, the entire staff works together as a team to accomplish the goals set by the Board of Directors. 
  • Job location: Billings, Montana (location first 3 months negotiable)
  • For more information about Northern Plains, visit our website.

Primary Duties

• Preparing and submitting grant proposals and reports – to targeted foundations and other granting organizations;
• Researching and prioritizing prospective funders of Northern Plains’ work;
• Maintaining a calendar of proposal and report deadlines;
• Developing relationships as appropriate with key foundation program officers;
• Maintaining supporting materials that are needed for proposals and reports;
• Maintaining organized records of grant and foundation materials;
• Maintaining and updating Northern Plains’ presence on websites like GuideStar and Charity Navigator;
• Developing thorough knowledge of Northern Plains’ issue campaigns to communicate our work effectively.

Other Duties:

• Drafting fundraising letters and thank-you letters;
• Participating in Northern Plains’ Grassroots Donor Campaign;
• Helping with Northern Plains’ bequest program;
• Updating the staff and board on grant progress;
• Administrative tasks as assigned (e.g. reconciling bank statements);
• Participating in staff team meetings and collaborating with other staff as needed to advance our work.

Qualifications We’re Looking For:

• Commitment to Northern Plains’ issues and values;
• Background in foundation fundraising;
• Strong writing skills, comfortable with being edited;
• Strong proofreading skills;
• Ability to develop and interpret budgets;
• Ability to get along well with people from diverse backgrounds;
• Sense of humor, even when puns are involved;
• Well-organized, ability to prioritize, and detail-oriented;
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team;
• Ability to meet deadlines;
• Ability to travel on occasion;
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.

Also Helpful:

• Experience with a nonprofit organization working for social change or on environmental issues.
• Ability to think creatively, strategically, and practically.

Compensation

• Wage range: $18-$20/hour, depending on experience.

To Apply

• This position is open until filled, but we encourage applications as soon as possible.
• Please click "Apply" below to email Maggie Gordon:
  • Cover letter (tell us why you want this job)
  • Resume
  • Writing sample
  • 3 professional references

Northern Plains does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.