Fund Development Contractor

Apr 10

Anticipated Start Date: June 01, 2026

Description

The Fund Development Contractor will support BWEEMS’ fundraising efforts through a combination of grant research, proposal development, funder prospecting, donor and sponsor support, and overall fund development strategy. This contractor will work closely with the Executive Director to identify funding opportunities aligned with BWEEMS’ mission, funding strategies, develop compelling written materials, and help strengthen the organization’s fundraising infrastructure. This role is ideal for someone who is both strategic and detail-oriented, can work independently, and understands how to support a growing nonprofit in building a diversified funding base.

Responsibilities

Scope of Work Grant Research and Prospecting

Identify grant opportunities aligned with BWEEMS’ mission, strategy, current and planned programs, and growth goals
Research private, corporate, and foundation funders, as well as other relevant funding opportunities that align with BWEEMS’ focus and strategy.
Maintain a grant pipeline with deadlines, application requirements, notifications and strategic notes
Recommend high-priority opportunities based on organizational readiness and fit

Proposal Development and Submission Support

Draft, edit, and refine grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and related submissions
Work with the Executive Director to gather program information, budgets, supporting materials, and impact language
Adapt existing language into tailored proposals for different funders
Track proposal deadlines and support timely submission of complete applications

Fundraising Strategy and Infrastructure

Support refinement of a realistic and mission-aligned fundraising strategy
Help create systems for tracking grants, prospects, donor communications, and fundraising progress
Recommend tools, templates, and workflows that improve fundraising efficiency
Develop and refine core fundraising tools that strengthen donor cultivation and sponsorship development, including an organizational pitch deck, elevator pitch template, and related case-making materials.

Donor and Sponsor Support

Assist with development of donor-facing and sponsor-facing materials as needed
Help draft stewardship communications, funding updates, and cultivation language
Support outreach strategy for sponsorships, partnerships, or individual giving efforts as assigned
Develop and maintain a donor cultivation and tracking system that captures key information about prospective and current donors, including their interests, giving priorities, alignment with BWEEMS’ mission and vision, relationship history, recommended engagement strategies, and potential programs or initiatives that may resonate with them.

Collaboration and Reporting

Meet regularly with the Executive Director to review funding priorities, timelines, and deliverables
Provide updates on funding pipeline progress, submissions, and next steps
Maintain organized records of opportunities, proposal drafts, deadlines, and outcomes
Contribute to the development of fundraising language that reflects BWEEMS’ mission, values, and impact

Requirements

Required

Demonstrated experience in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, fund development, or philanthropic strategy
Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills
Experience researching funding opportunities and developing successful proposals
Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work independently
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Experience working with nonprofit leaders, programs, and mission-driven organizations
Commitment to the mission of BWEEMS and to supporting Black women in ecology, evolution, marine science, and related fields

Preferred

Experience supporting small or growing nonprofits
Familiarity with foundation, corporate, and institutional giving
Experience with donor stewardship or sponsorship development
Understanding of equity-centered fundraising practices
Familiarity with environmental, scientific, educational, or justice-oriented nonprofit spaces

Desired Strengths

Strategic thinker with strong follow-through
Clear and persuasive writer
Organized and proactive
Able to balance big-picture planning with detailed execution
Collaborative and responsive
Comfortable working in an evolving organization

Deliverables May Include

Curated funding opportunity list or active grants pipeline
Grant calendar with deadlines and submission priorities
Drafted and submitted grant proposals or letters of inquiry
Sponsorship or donor outreach materials
Fundraising strategy recommendations
Development of reusable case statements, boilerplate, and organizational language
Regular progress reports and check-ins with leadership

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$80 - $100/hour, with an anticipated average scope of up to 30-40 hours per month, not to exceed an agreed-upon monthly cap without prior approval. Specific scope, timeline, compensation, and deliverables will be determined based on contractor experience and organizational needs.

How to Apply for this Job

Please submit your resume and cover letter to Parker McMullen Bushman, Executive Director of BWEEMS at apply@bweems.org . Applications will remain open until May 7, 2026, or until BWEEMS has identified a strong pool of candidates to move forward in the interview process.

About the Organization

Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science (BWEEMS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, uplifting, and connecting Black women across ecology, evolution, marine science, and related environmental fields. We exist to foster community, increase visibility, create meaningful opportunities for connection and professional growth, and help build a more just and representative scientific community. BWEEMS serves members across career stages, from students to established professionals, through programs such as mentorship, coaching, writing accountability, community gatherings, regional engagement, and virtual events.

Our work is rooted in the belief that Black women in science deserve spaces where they are seen, supported, celebrated, and equipped to thrive. As a small and evolving organization, BWEEMS is in an exciting period of growth and restructuring. We are building a stronger internal foundation so that our programs, systems, and member experience can be more sustainable, more strategic, and more impactful over time. We are seeking team members who are energized by mission-driven work, comfortable in a growing organization, and committed to supporting Black women in ecology, evolution, marine science, and adjacent fields.

WOC is not responsible for the content of job postings.