Grants Development Associate

Preferred Application Deadline: January 26th, 2025

Application Timeline: Rolling, position open until filled; priority application deadline: 

Location: Remote, with a preference for candidates based in or able to work within Continental US time zones.

Reports to: Director of Strategy and External Affairs 

Employment Status: FT

Salary: $72,00 - $80,000, depending on experience  

Preferred Start Date: March 31st, 2025 or earlier 

About Blue Forest 

Blue Forest is a conservation finance non-profit founded in 2015 that is focused on advancing ecosystem restoration through scientific research, financial innovation, and collaborative partnerships. Since 2018, Blue Forest has managed investor capital through its flagship financial product, the Forest Resilience Bond (FRB), which deploys private capital to finance forest restoration projects to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. More recently, Blue Forest has also established Blue Forest Asset Management (BFAM), an investment management platform connecting investors to compelling, mission-aligned opportunities in a broader set of asset classes beyond FRB projects, such as private equity and private credit investments.

Blue Forest is made up of an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, foresters, finance, and communications professionals committed to the mission: “To accelerate ecological restoration through conservation finance, enabling climate resilience for ecosystems and communities”. Employees at Blue Forest are: 

• Committed to Continuous Learning

• Driven by Collaboration

• Thoughtful Innovators for Impact

• Grounded in Science

• Passionate about Restoring Earth’s Ecosystems

As we grow and develop new financial solutions to pressing environmental problems, we are seeking to amplify and collaborate with those historically excluded in conservation finance. We recognize that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization is not only vital but also a key driver of strength, resilience, and success. 

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Grant Development Associate. In this role, you will be responsible for researching, developing, coordinating, and writing grant proposals to secure funding for Blue Forest. You will work across the organization to identify funding objectives for each department, research and identify grant funding opportunities, gather necessary information, and craft compelling proposals that align with our mission and goals.

Responsibilities & Duties

Grant Writing - 40%

• Coordinate with internal subject matter experts to gather relevant information and data needed for grant applications.

• Prepare and write grant and award proposals, including letters of support, ensuring compliance with grant guidelines, objectives, and deadlines.

• Gather and organize supporting documentation for grants, including financial statements, budgets, and programmatic data.

• Coordinate with internal and external partners on all aspects of jointly-submitted grants, ensuring that all parties are developing a coordinated and cohesive application while meeting deadlines. 

Prospecting - 15%

• Conduct comprehensive research to identify potential new grant funding sources, including state and federal government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other grant-making organizations.

• Continuously develop foundation targets based on Blue Forest’s current priorities and relationships, with participation with the Blue Forest staff and the Board of Directors

Internal Prioritization and Strategy - 15% 

• Facilitate conversations with departments and teams at Blue Forest in partnership with the Managing Director of External Affairs to determine funding needs and relevant opportunities.

• Work closely with the Blue Forest fundraising team to prioritize and execute on new funding opportunities, including facilitating committee meetings.

• Coordinate with the Accounting department for grant spend down projections, and related strategic fundraising and grant priorities.

Post-Award reporting - 15% 

• Monitor and track the progress of submitted proposals, including follow-up communications with funders as necessary.

• Draft interim and final grant reports as needed with grant reporting and evaluation activities, ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

Administrative Management and Support - 15%

• Stay informed about trends and best practices in grant development and grant writing.

• Develop and maintain grant and funding tracking systems.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all grant activities, including grant writing, submissions, and outcomes.

• Provide administrative support, such as drafting gift acknowledgment letters, CRM tool upkeep, and support on in-person fundraising events.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of grant development and grant writing.

• Required skills:

  • Excellent writing skills, including demonstrated success in writing clear, persuasive, and compelling grant proposals.

  • Strong attention to detail, with the ability to manage a portfolio of active grants and applications with competing deadlines.

  • Strong independent research skills, with the ability to identify relevant funding opportunities and gather supporting information, and organize opportunities in a way that is useful for efficient decision-making.

  • Basic understanding of forestry and fire concepts, with a strong ability to quickly learn new concepts (conservation finance, Indigenous land management, biomass utilization, etc).

  • Ability to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team, partners,  and stakeholders.

  • Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Desired Skills: 

  • Familiarity with grant management software, tools, and CRMs is a plus.

  • Knowledge of fundraising principles and best practices.

  • Preference for candidates with a background in environmental conservation and climate resilience.

  • Preference for candidates with experience in writing for federal grants, as well as for grants about environmental conservation and/or innovative financial models. 

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage; subsidized coverage for dependents

• Access to a 401k retirement plan with a 5% employer match

• 4 weeks paid vacation and 17 paid holidays; paid sick leave and volunteer time

• 3 months of paid family leave

• Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance

• Access to Dependent Care FSA and Health Care FSA

• Public Lands Exploration stipend (reimbursements for visits to National Forests, county parks, etc.)

• Monthly Home Office stipend or co-working space provided 

• Travel and partial dependant care costs provided for business travel 

• Additional stipends for health & wellness; home internet and cell service

• Financial support for professional development
  

Additional Information

Blue Forest is a fully remote company with staff located across all four continental U.S. time zones. You will generally be expected to be online during Pacific Standard Time standard working hours in order to collaborate with partners and other team members. Blue Forest also hosts an in-person team retreat each year. 

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to this position, please submit a resume (no cover letters needed) for your application through recruitee. People from historically underrepresented populations and candidates with non-traditional career paths are especially encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and those submitted by 1/26/25 will be given priority consideration.

If participating in the interview process would require you to incur additional expenses to participate, such as childcare, please let us know and we are happy to reimburse for reasonable expenses incurred up to $30/hour for twice the length of each interview in which you participate. There will be space to request this reimbursement upon offer of an interview.

Covid Vaccine Requirement

All Blue Forest staff are required to be “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines that term. Proof of full vaccination shall be a condition of employment and must be provided prior to starting work, except where prohibited by law. Blue Forest is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and the company will engage in the interactive process regarding reasonable accommodations for candidates who cannot be vaccinated due to a disability/medical condition; a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance; or a claimed exemption under applicable state law. 

Blue Forest provides equal employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Applicants must have authorization to work in the United States.