Program Purpose: To address emergent needs of organizations across Colorado, Community Resource Center (CRC) launched GrantCorps in 2022. GrantCorps AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) Members provide information, training and 1:1 technical support to nonprofit organizations in grant development across Colorado. Nonprofit organizations are defined as those with 501(c)3 status and/or working under the fiscal sponsorship of a 501(c)3 organization. GrantCorps focuses on working with small, rural, and systemically marginalized communities, as well as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led organizations, with an annual budget of less than $1M, and that are currently experiencing challenges accessing private and government grant funding.
By focusing on high-demand career pathways in the non-profit sector, such as Data Analysts and Grant Writers, CRC helps prepare VISTA members with the tools they need to succeed in the areas of non-profit fund development. Since 2014, CRC has hosted the Rural VISTA Intermediary Project. The goal of the project is to provide national service members the opportunity to deliver indirect services to build the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of nonprofit
organizations. AmeriCorps VISTA members work in direct partnership with CRC and non-profits located across Colorado. CRC brings the experience and connections necessary to effectively create systemic change in the non-profit landscape.
Position Description: The GrantCorps Grantwriting Specialist VISTA role is a one-year service term with Community Resource Center (CRC). The member will combat poverty and inequitable grant access by engaging with eligible organizations and helping build their capacity through fund development and grant writing. The VISTA will assist in securing resources with eligible nonprofits by researching grant opportunities and drafting, editing, and submitting strong grant proposals. They will gain valuable insight in grant development by crafting grant applications with these nonprofits. Additionally, VISTA members will provide information, resources, and one-on-one grant writing services to eligible nonprofits to help fund their programs, projects, and general operating needs. The VISTA member will increase the skills of these smaller, rural, BIPOC-led and serving organizations to better access funding opportunities, building greater access to public and private grant opportunities across Colorado. This role will address the sustainability of services to under-resourced communities and identify possible streams of funding. By doing so, the VISTA will increase the ability of CRC’s partners to improve educational, health, housing, and workforce development outcomes. CRC staff will support the VISTA Member and enhance their opportunities for professional development and future employment. CRC is looking for committed and passionate individuals to join this ground-breaking initiative to bridge the access gap and work towards a more equitable future.
Position Responsibilities:
1) Gain skills and receive training in nonprofit grant development.
2) Develop resources for organizations to utilize in grant applications.
3) Utilize CRC’s collection of statewide funding data to identify relevant grant opportunities for organizations.
4) Collaborate with GrantCorps team and partner organizations to draft, edit, and submit grant narratives and reports.
5) Leverage relationships with state-wide private and public grant makers to increase access for small, rural, or BIPOC-led organizations to grant funding.
6) Engage collaboratively with GrantCorps team to create grant tracking and CRM systems to collect and interpret program data and to develop recommendations for program quality to better meet the needs of more partner organizations.
7) Work with GrantCorps team to develop community-based volunteer opportunities, grant applications, fundraising, and collateral that will ensure the long-term sustainability of GrantCorps.
Position Requirements:
-Ability to work full-time
-Colorado Residency
-Be at least 18 years of age
-High school diploma/GED