Job Description
Role Type: Full-time
Location: US - Remote
Compensation: Salaried, Exempt
Experience: 5+ Years
Sponsorship Available: No
About Us
At FreeWorld, our mission is to end generational poverty and recidivism through economic mobility. We use a tech-forward approach to get returning citizens (folks with a criminal record) into living wage jobs–at scale. We’re focused on trucking jobs at the moment, but are building a platform that will expand well beyond one industry. We’re extremely proud of our 31x social ROI. We’re also proud to have been chosen by MIT Solve as one of the most innovative tech-forward non-profits driving real change.
About the Role
The Grant Writer reports to our Development Director and is responsible for driving revenue from institutions, corporations, major donors, and government grants by researching funding opportunities, writing high-quality proposals, and managing all related reporting and stewardship.
You’ll translate FreeWorld’s impact, data, and stories into compelling, tailored grant proposals and reports that inspire funders to invest at scale. This role works closely with program, product engineering, finance, and leadership teams to build strong, long-term institutional relationships.
Mission
FreeWorld’s mission is to end the cycle of incarceration and resulting generational poverty by:
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Placing returning citizens into high-wage careers at scale.
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Developing a self-sustaining revenue model to accelerate our growth.
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Creating systemic change by leveraging our deep layers of graduate data in partnership with the Criminal Justice System to become the Gold Standard for re-entry.
Key Responsibilities
1. Grant Strategy & Pipeline (20–25%)
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Build and maintain a 12–18 month institutional funding calendar (deadlines, renewals, reports).
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Research and qualify new institutions, corporate, and public funding prospects aligned with FreeWorld’s mission and priorities.
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Partner with the Development Director, Chief Growth Officer, and CEO to prioritize opportunities by fit, timeline, and revenue potential.
2. Proposal Development & Writing (40–50%)
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Lead the full proposal lifecycle: concept note → proposal → revisions → submission.
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Write clear, persuasive, well-structured proposals tailored to each funder’s priorities and language using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude.
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Coordinate internally (programs, data, finance) to gather needed information: budgets, outcomes, logic models, evaluation plans, and stories for reporting.
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Adapt core narratives (mission, theory of change, model, outcomes) for different segments: institutions, corporate, major gifts, and government.
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Ensure all submissions are compliant, complete, and on time.
3. Reporting & Stewardship (20–25%)
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Own all grant reporting requirements: interim and final reports, data tables, financial reports (in partnership with finance).
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Track progress against grant deliverables and flag risks early to internal stakeholders.
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Draft high-quality stewardship materials for institutional funders (impact updates, case studies, success stories).
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Help prepare briefing memos and talking points for leadership’s meetings with key funders.
4. Systems, Data & Collaboration (10–15%)
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Maintain accurate records of grants, deadlines, and funder communications in Hubspot, the CRM we use.
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Support forecasting by providing timely, realistic revenue projections for new and renewal grants.
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Assist in developing and refining standard language: boilerplate proposals, organization overviews, program descriptions, outcomes, and FAQs.
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Contribute to continuous improvement of internal processes for data collection, measurement, and storytelling.
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Ensure we have clean data in our systems
Ideal Candidate Profile
Experience
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5+ years of professional writing experience focused on institutional, corporate, major gifts, and government grant fundraising, or similar (policy writing, RFPs, technical writing, etc.).
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Proven track record of securing 5– to 7–figure grants from institutions, corporate donors, major gifts, and/or government gratns
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Experience working in nonprofits, social enterprises, workforce development, criminal justice reform, or related fields is a plus (but not required).
Skills & Competencies
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Exceptional writing and editing skills — able to write clearly, concisely, and persuasively for different audiences.
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Strong strategic thinking: you can read guidelines, understand what the funder really cares about, and position FreeWorld accordingly.
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Comfortable working with data, outcomes, and budgets; able to translate numbers into clear, compelling narratives.
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High project management skills: able to manage multiple deadlines, keep stakeholders aligned, and deliver on time.
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Detail-oriented and process-driven, with excellent organization and follow-through.
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Collaborative, low-ego teammate who can work across functions and with leadership.
Mindset & Mission Alignment
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Deep belief in second chances, economic mobility, and racial equity.
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Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
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Biased toward action, ownership, and continuous improvement.
Compensation and Benefits
FreeWorld offers a competitive total rewards package that aligns with nonprofit organizations of similar size and scope. Compensation is benchmarked to industry standards and based on experience, internal equity, and role responsibility. The salary range for this position is $80,000–$100,000. In addition to base compensation, FreeWorld provides a robust and comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee well-being, professional growth, and financial stability:
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Fully remote work environment with schedule flexibility
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Collaborative, values-driven culture built on honesty, trust, and transparency
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Annual, company-sponsored in-person staff retreat focused on connection, learning, and celebration
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Meaningful work creating life-changing impact for returning citizens across the country
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance with supplemental and pet coverage options
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Company-paid short-term and long-term disability, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and a $10,000 life and AD&D policy
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Quarterly wellness stipend and paid phone/internet stipend
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401(k) plan and high-yield savings account options to support financial health and stability
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Paid professional development opportunities and learning stipends
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Access to the Working Advantage Employee Discount Program, offering savings on travel, entertainment, retail, and more
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Unlimited paid time off and at least 14 paid holidays each year
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12–16 weeks of paid parental leave for all new parents
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Two-week paid winter break at the end of each calendar year
At FreeWorld, our people are our greatest asset. We are building a team that feels valued, supported, and empowered to bring their best selves to work daily because changing lives begins with caring for ourselves.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- Resume: include your full professional history and relevant accomplishments
- LinkedIn: provide your LinkedIn profile URL in the correct field
- Cover Letter: in ONE (1) page, tell us:
- Why you are interested in FreeWorld and this role
- How your experience and skills align with the responsibilities of the position
- What motivates you about our mission and the work ahead
- 2-3 Writing Samples: Provide 2–3 samples that demonstrate your writing and communication skills. These could include:
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A grant proposal or narrative section
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A donor outreach email
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A stewardship or impact report segment
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Any other fundraising or external-facing writing
Use the "Attach another file" button to upload PDF/DOC files (max 5MB each). You may redact identifying or confidential information as needed, but the samples must be your own original work.
Hiring Process
Our hiring process is designed to be transparent, equitable, and reflective of FreeWorld’s values. We want candidates to experience the same honesty, respect, and collaboration that define how we work every day. While specific steps may vary by role, the general process includes:
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Application Review
Submit your application and cover letter after reviewing our [FreeWorld Culture FAQ] and [FreeWorld Company Values]. We review every submission carefully to identify alignment with our mission, experience, and values.
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Initial Screening
Selected candidates will be invited to a brief, 15-minute introductory Zoom call to learn more about the role and share their interest in FreeWorld.
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Role-Specific Task
Candidates complete a short project or submit a relevant work sample that reflects key aspects of the position. This helps us understand your approach and gives you a preview of the work you’d be doing.
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Hiring Manager Interview
A one-on-one Zoom conversation with the hiring manager to discuss your background, skills, and career goals, as well as how you would contribute to FreeWorld’s mission.
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Team Interviews
A series of 45-minute interviews with key team members to explore collaboration, alignment, and how your experience and working style complement the team.
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Reference Checks
We connect with a few of your past colleagues or supervisors to learn more about your work and professional impact.
If all goes well, we’ll move forward with an offer and begin welcoming you to the FreeWorld team.