Fund Development and Grant Specialist - Bestwork Industries for the Blind
Job Description
The Fund Development & Grant Specialist leads a broad portfolio of fundraising activities, including grant development and management, planned giving, major donor cultivation and stewardship, and support of Bestwork's signature fundraising event, Dining in the Dark. This role is instrumental in building and diversifying Bestwork's revenue streams to advance our mission and long-term
sustainability. Priorities will include:
Grant Development & Management
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of Bestwork's strategic initiatives and vision to
effectively communicate our mission and funding needs to a wide range of funders.
• Manage the full grant lifecycle — including identification, research, cultivation, solicitation,
recognition, and stewardship of grant funders — in alignment with our strategic priorities.
• Conduct prospect research to identify a sufficient number and quality of grant prospects; prepare donor profiles, target appropriate ask amounts, and evaluate and prioritize opportunities.
• Draft and edit letters of intent, grant proposals, online grant submissions, acknowledgment letters, stewardship reports, and all necessary supporting documents for prospective and current funders.
• Work closely with the Fundraising & Marketing Manager to prioritize funding opportunities and
prepare proposals and correspondence for submission and signature.
• Ensure all outgoing correspondence is carefully reviewed for typographical and grammatical accuracy and factual/technical correctness.
• Develop, foster, and support relationships with institutional funders, including identifying
professional connections with other grants managers and volunteers to properly steward these relationships.
• Collaborate with Business Development and Finance to gather information necessary for
proposals and grant reporting.
• Comply with all grant reporting requirements and deadlines as required by funders.
• Manage active grants by maintaining internal reporting systems, writing reports, maintaining
excellent historical records, and working with staff to ensure programs are meeting proposal
conditions and expectations.
• Maintain up-to-date records and files, and manage proposals using Excel and database tools for grant tracking and reporting.
Planned Giving
• Lead and grow Bestwork's planned giving program, including the cultivation and stewardship of legacy donors and prospects.
• Develop and implement strategies to identify, educate, and engage donors interested in making estate gifts, bequests, and other deferred gifts.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for donors, their families, and advisors regarding planned giving vehicles and opportunities in partnership with Bestwork's leadership.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of planned giving commitments and prospects in
the donor database.
• Develop planned giving marketing materials, including legacy society collateral and donor
recognition efforts.
Major Donor Cultivation & Stewardship
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors in support of Bestwork's funding priorities.
• Develop individualized engagement strategies for major donors, ensuring meaningful and consistent communication and recognition.
• Prepare personalized proposals, gift agreements, impact reports, and acknowledgment communications for major donors.
• Partner with senior leadership and board members to facilitate major donor meetings, tours, and engagement opportunities.
• Track and manage all major donor activity within the donor database to ensure timely follow-up and accurate records.
Dining in the Dark & Special Events Support• Support Dining in the Dark, Bestwork's signature fundraising event, through securing sponsorships, execution, and post-event follow-up.
• Assist with sponsor cultivation and solicitation, donor engagement strategies, and stewardship tied to the event.
• Support promotional efforts, guest communications, and day-of logistics.
• Support post-event reporting, donor acknowledgment, and relationship-building to maximize long-term impact.
General Fundraising & Communications
• Create and deploy compelling fundraising appeals and direct mail campaigns.
• Support the development of a diversified, integrated fundraising strategy that incorporates grants, major gifts, planned giving, events, and individual giving.
Qualifications & Skills
• Minimum 3–5 years of related experience in nonprofit fundraising, including proposal/grant
writing and individual giving.
• Experience with planned giving vehicles (bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, etc.) strongly preferred.
• Experience cultivating and soliciting major gifts.
• Strong written communication skills, including proposal, stewardship, and donor
correspondence writing.
• Strong editing and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines consistently.
• Knowledge of grants — development, proposals, applications, and administration — as well as fundraising techniques and strategies across a broad range of giving vehicles.
• Knowledge and familiarity with prospect research, identification, and qualification techniques for grant and individual giving prospects.
• Experience with donor management/CRM databases; proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office Suite.
Why Join Us?
This is more than a job — it's an opportunity to make a difference. You will be a vital part of a
supportive team that celebrates success and is dedicated to empowering others. We believe in
investing in our people and will provide training and support for the candidate who shares our vision and drive.
To Apply
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position and our mission to LScarpa@bestworkindustries.org
Bestwork Industries for the Blind, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state or local laws.