Click here for the full Grants Specialist Contractor Opportunity Announcement

Applications due May 19, 2024

Farmers Market Fund is searching for a contract Grants Specialist to support the organization with grant writing and research related tasks in 2024. There is a high potential that this position will continue in 2025, with both parties’ agreement. The goal of this work is to maintain and build funding for FMF and DUFB to cover unrestricted, administrative, and general program costs. This contractor will build on the momentum of FMF’s short term Development Consultant who developed and implemented strategies to diversify the organization’s funding in 2023.

Application due: May 19, 2024

Position Type: Contract

Time Frame: June-December 2024 with potential to renew annually

Compensation: $13,500 (averaging 20-25 hrs/month)

Location: 100% Remote, preference for Oregon-based applicants.

About Farmers Market Fund:

We make healthy, locally grown food accessible to underserved Oregonians. 

Founded in 2009, Farmers Market Fund was incorporated as a 501(c)3 in 2012. FMF’s primary focus is Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB), a program that doubles Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at farmers markets across Oregon and allows shoppers to bring home twice as much farm-fresh produce. Double Up is a triple win: families bring home more fresh produce, more money goes directly to small, local producers, and local We make healthy, locally grown food accessible to underserved Oregonians.

In 2023, FMF supported DUFB programs at 91 markets in 27 Oregon counties, distributing more than $1.5 million of DUFB purchases at participating farmers markets. FMF also works in close partnership with a coalition of other organizations dedicated to ending hunger and supporting farmers, providing these and other organizations grant funds to implement DUFB for community supported agriculture (CSA) boxes and at grocery stores. Our grocery and CSA partners distributed over $900,000 in additional DUFB in 2022. This year, FMF is partnered with 93 farmers markets, and anticipates distributing $1.9M in DUFB dollars.

Contract Position Overview:

Farmers Market Fund is searching for a contract Grants Specialist to support the organization with grant writing and research related tasks in 2024. There is a high potential that this position will continue in 2025, with both parties’ agreement. The goal of this work is to maintain and build funding for FMF and DUFB to cover unrestricted, administrative, and general program costs. This contractor will build on the momentum of FMF’s short term Development Consultant who developed and implemented strategies to diversify the organization’s funding in 2023. We estimate that this work will take about 140-175 hours total (averaging 20-25 hours/month).

 Farmers Market Fund and the Double Up Food Bucks program is currently supported primarily through a mix of federal and state funding sources, the majority of which are earmarked directly for nutrition incentive dollars. In the last year, we have focused on building relationships with private foundations and business partners to diversify our grant revenue and focus on expanding the amount of unrestricted or general funds
available to us. The person in this position will build on the progress of 2023 to renew/reapply to several foundation and business grants as well as research and form additional relationships. This role will work closely with the Executive Director and Fundraising Committee to identify, assess, and
write 6-9 grant proposals a quarter. Proposals may include charitable foundations and business sponsorships. The contractor will work off of previous proposals, a wealth of data and participant stories, as well as tools like a grant decision matrix, grant tracker, and donor management system. The Grants Specialist will also assist with developing written reports for secured grants, with input and direction from staff.

Our ideal candidate will be a seasoned grant writer with a deep understanding of Oregon’s philanthropic climate, especially within fields such as nutrition, food insecurity, and/or agriculture. Candidates with a depth of experience in securing general operating funds are preferred.

Scope of Work:

• Research potential private grant opportunities and use established grant decision making matrix in conjunction with Executive Director to determine fit and feasibility of success. This may include web searches, informational interviews, attending funder webinars and information sessions, and setting up and assisting with introductory calls with foundation program officers.
•  Meet with FMF staff as needed to collect information necessary for putting together compelling and persuasive proposals. Work with Executive Director and bookkeeper to develop budget and financial reports as needed.
•  Lead drafting, review, and submission of 4-6 grant proposals per quarter, with support from the Executive Director and staff. Ensure activities are planned out to give time for thoughtful proposal development and early submission.
•  Update and maintain grant tracking spreadsheet with deadlines, status of applications, funder contact information, and grant research notes.
•  Collaborate with Executive Director to complete written grant reports on occasion.
• Attend monthly Fundraising Committee meetings with board and staff members to share updates and progress on grants.
•  Regularly check and respond to funder emails, setup organizational profiles for grant portals, and organize grant files.
• Assist Administrative Coordinator with updating donor database with relevant funder information.

Qualifications: 

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely than others to apply for a position if they feel unable to meet every qualification as described. We are committed to finding the best overall candidate. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and qualifications for this role. We’re excited to hear from you!

• 3-5 years of grant writing experience, especially skilled with private foundation grants
• Proven track record of funded proposals
• 2-3 years of experience with grant research and assessment of fit for varied non profit organizations
•  Knowledge and experience with Oregon’s philanthropic community, especially funders that support
  health, nutrition, agriculture, and local community food systems (highly preferred)
• Excellent organizational and time management skills. Can meet deadlines, learn quickly and ask for guidance when needed
• Self-directed and self-starting, ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Skilled in crafting persuasive, personal, and unique proposals
•  A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and experience advancing DEIJ and
  anti-racism in personal and/or professional contexts
•  Experience in food security, nutrition incentives, and local food systems is preferred, though not required

• Working knowledge of Little Green Light or other donor management software preferred

Time Frame:

The timeline for this project is flexible, but we would like someone to begin as soon as possible and work through at least the end of the year. There is a strong possibility that this position will continue with the organization in 2024, but interest in long term work is not a requirement to be considered for this role. The length and scope of this work may be extended depending on available funding and interest of both parties.

How to Apply:

Please send the following to FMFcareers@gmail.com by May 19, 2024 with “Grants Specialist” and your last name in the subject line:

• A brief introduction telling us about your interest in the position and how you would approach the above scope of work.
• A description of your grant writing experience, including a percentage or total number of proposals you’ve written that have been successfully funded.
• A brief writing sample (~2 pages) that shows your skills as a persuasive fundraiser. Previously submitted grant proposals with identifying information redacted are acceptable and will be treated as confidential and not be used or shared by the organization beyond the bounds of candidate review and scoring.
• Your estimated project fee, broken down by projected hours, tasks, and hourly rate.

We understand that not all candidates will be able to fully represent their abilities with a standard application package. Any candidate who wishes to submit alternative materials may reach out to FMFcareers@gmail.com to discuss the materials they want to submit.
The application process may include a telephone interview, samples of work, and online interview.

The application process may include a telephone interview, samples of work, and online interview. We hope to have the position filled by June 2024.

We Welcome Diversity

FMF is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe there is strength in our collective lived experience, and strongly encourage applications from candidates who can increase the diversity of our organization, including people of color, people LGBTQIA-identified, women, veterans, people who have lived experience of hunger, and formerly incarcerated individuals.