Research and Grant Support Associate

About the Role fundRISING is seeking a Research and Grant Support Associate to help coordinate and advance fundraising efforts across our portfolio of nonprofit clients. This role focuses on funding research, pipeline management, grant submission support, and maintaining the systems and materials that keep our work organized and moving forward. We're looking for someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, curious, and comfortable taking initiative. You'll help identify funding opportunities, maintain accurate client funding pipelines, coordinate application materials, and ensure grant submissions are complete, accurate, and ready on time. You'll work independently while collaborating closely with fundRISING's partners, team members, and clients to anticipate needs and keep projects on track. This is an opportunity for someone early in their career who wants to build experience in nonprofit fundraising and grant development, or someone with research and coordination background looking for a flexible schedule with a collaborative organization. Prior grant writing experience is welcome but not required. For someone interested in growing their writing and proposal development skills, we'll provide opportunities to do so. Core Responsibilities Funding Research & Pipeline Management Manage and maintain funding pipelines for approximately 8-12 nonprofit clients, ensuring opportunities, deadlines, statuses, and next steps remain accurate and actionable. Research and evaluate foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities based on client priorities, eligibility, and funder alignment, using tools such as Instrumentl and GrantWatch and reviewing various newsletters and postings. Proactively monitor funding cycles, application deadlines, and outstanding action items, prompting fundRISING team members and clients when decisions or additional information are needed. Support funding pipeline reviews by identifying promising opportunities, emerging gaps, and priorities requiring attention. Grant Submission & Quality Control Support the preparation and submission of grant applications, LOIs, and reports, including entering information into online funder portals and coordinating required attachments. As needed, conduct thorough quality-control reviews to ensure submissions are complete, accurate, consistent, and compliant with funder guidelines, deadlines, and formatting requirements. Identify missing information, inconsistencies, or potential submission issues and coordinate their resolution with the appropriate team members. Support grant writing, editing, and proposal development as experience and interests develop. Client Documentation & Grant Readiness Maintain organized and up-to-date client materials, including organizational documents, financial information, program descriptions, and other commonly requested application materials. Proactively identify outdated or missing documents and coordinate with clients and fundRISING team members to ensure materials are ready for upcoming opportunities. Maintain accurate grant records, submission confirmations, reporting deadlines, and relevant funder information in shared tracking systems. Contribute to improving internal tools, workflows, and processes that support efficient, consistent work across clients. Team & Client Coordination Communicate regularly with fundRISING partners and team members to coordinate next steps, follow up on outstanding items, and keep work moving forward. Participate in client meetings and communications as appropriate, helping coordinate schedules, information, documentation, deadlines, and deliverables. Build familiarity with each client's mission, programs, and funding priorities to provide responsive, thoughtful support. Take initiative in identifying needs, resolving routine challenges, and escalating questions or decisions that require additional guidance. What We’re Looking For Strong candidates will bring experience in at least 2-3 of the areas below and an eagerness to grow in others. Please reflect additional relevant skills and knowledge in your cover letter. Organization & Attention to Detail: Strong ability to manage information, maintain accurate records, and produce thorough, high-quality work. Comfortable reviewing materials closely and catching errors or inconsistencies. Research & Critical Thinking: Ability to find, evaluate, and synthesize information from multiple sources, identify relevant details, and communicate findings clearly. Initiative & Accountability: Comfortable working independently, anticipating needs, following through on responsibilities, and proactively communicating when something needs attention. Project & Time Management: Ability to balance competing priorities, manage deadlines, and stay organized across multiple clients and projects. Communication & Collaboration: Clear, professional written and verbal communication. Comfortable working with team members and clients, asking thoughtful questions, and following up when needed. Digital Tools & Information Management: Comfortable learning and using collaborative systems such as Airtable and Google Workspace to manage information, documents, and workflows.