Grant Writer (for music/entertainment nonprofit organization)

Our organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working upstream of the youth mental health crisis by turning fandom into a real protective force for young people. We meet teens and young adults in the music, artists, and fan communities they already love... and we deliver evidence-based mental health support in the cultural language they actually speak.

After nine years of building community trust inside fandoms (500K+ fans reached, partnerships with major artists and labels, a published book on the work), we're in a critical growth ---------- nt: launching our first fan-native toolkit, deepening retail and label partnerships (including Hot Topic, where we've already secured funding interest), and building toward becoming the infrastructure layer for upstream youth mental health.

We're looking for a grant writer to help fuel the next phase.

The Role
This is a performance-based grant writer role: you earn a percentage of every grant you successfully source and secure for our nonprofit organization. Note that there is no base salary by default but for the right candidate with the right experience, we can discuss a small monthly retainer in addition to the success fee as we're open to the structure that works for both sides.

You'll work closely with the Founder/CEO and our Project Manager to identify opportunities, write compelling proposals, and steward funder relationships. The work spans foundation grants, corporate philanthropy, corporate and brand sponsorships, and government funding sources at the intersection of youth mental health, music, arts, and community wellbeing.

What You'd Do
> Research and identify grant (or sponsorships) opportunities aligned with our organization's mission (foundation, corporate, and government)
> Write and submit grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and concept papers
> Maintain a grant pipeline tracker (what's been applied for, what's pending, what's been funded)
> Manage application deadlines and submission requirements
> Coordinate with the Founder on funder cultivation strategy
> Draft funder stewardship communications (thank-yous, progress reports, renewal asks)
> Build a growing library of grant materials (boilerplate, impact data, narratives) that can be reused across applications


What Success Looks Like (baseline)
In the first 90 days, we anticipate that you have:
> Identified at least 15-20 well-matched grant opportunities for Superbands
> Submitted at least 5-8 strong applications
> Built a working grant pipeline tracker that becomes a permanent operational asset
> Begun a steady cadence of submissions and follow-ups
> Ideally secure at least 1-2 grants

Over the first year, you'll have secured meaningful funding that fuels our organization's next phase, and you'll have earned compensation tied directly to that success.

Note that should you be successful in the initial 90 day period, part time and/or full time employment opportunities may be provided so you can grow with our organization long term and continue to ensure our funding pipeline is blossoming. Our small team of 4 has been with us long term already and has grown with us... are YOU next?

Compensation Structure
> Success fee: 10-12% of grants you successfully source and secure, paid when funds land in our org's account.
> Eligible grants: Any grant that you (a) identify and source, OR (b) write the bulk of the proposal for, where our org had not previously been in active conversation with the funder.
> Not eligible: Grants from the 2 funders already in our active pipeline at the time you start (list of funders provided at start), or grants secured primarily through the Founder's existing relationships.
Payment: Within 7-14 days of grant funds arriving in our NPO's account(s). Paid via Wise, PayPal, or direct deposit.
** Note - Retainer option (for the right candidate): If you have substantial grant-writing experience and prefer a hybrid structure, we're open to discussing a small monthly retainer in addition to a reduced success fee. Tell us what would work for you in your application.

Who You Are
> Experienced grant writer with a track record of secured funding (at any organizational stage — early-career to senior, we're open)
> Comfortable working independently and managing your own pipeline
> Strong writer who can translate complex mission work into compelling, fundable narratives
> Detail-oriented on application requirements, deadlines, and stewardship
Genuinely care about youth mental health, music/fandom culture, or upstream prevention *(this work won't feel right if you don't get the mission)
> Understand that performance-based compensation means real upside and real risk, and you're going into it with eyes open

Bonus if you have:
> Existing relationships in mental health, arts, music, or youth-focused funding
> Experience writing for both foundation and corporate philanthropy
> Familiarity with the protective factor / public health framing of mental health work
> Experience in pitching corporate sponsorships or partnerships


What This Isn't - To save us both time:
> This is not a salaried staff role (unless we evolve into one together over time as the organization grows)
> This is not a fit if you need predictable monthly income from this role alone
> This is not a fit if you're looking to "make it big" off one or two grants. Currently our NPO is a real, growing nonprofit with a long runway of opportunity, but it's not a quick win
> We're not interested in writers who don't understand or believe in the mission. We'd rather work with the right person at lower volume than the wrong person at higher


How to Apply
Send the following in response to job posting for our team's review:
> Your CV/resume or a summary of grant-writing experience, including notable secured funding (org names + amounts are great, but ranges are fine if confidentiality matters)
> A short note (1-2 paragraphs) on why this role and this mission resonates with you
> One writing sample, ideally a grant narrative, letter of inquiry, or proposal section you wrote

We read every application sent in this format and respond to everyone within two weeks.