Development Specialist

The Development Specialist (Grants-Focused) supports the Development Department’s fundraising efforts, with a primary focus on grant proposal development and related operations. This role contributes to securing funding that sustains and advances The Community Group’s programs and impact.

The ideal candidate brings an asset-based approach to grant writing and demonstrates strong attention to detail, organization, independence, persistence, and creativity. This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position reporting to the Director of Development and Grant Performance.



About The Community Group (TCG)
The Community Group (TCG) is a private non-profit organization, based in Lawrence, MA whose mission is to create, manage, and nurture high-quality programs focused on education and related services that support families. TCG was founded in 1970 as the Community Day Care Center of Lawrence, a preschool with an enrollment of 20 children, since inception we have grown to an agency that manages: a successful charter public school, education and care programs dedicated to the healthy development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, a robust out-of-school time enrichment program, resources that facilitate access to early education and care for families, including a Child Care Resource and Referral program, and a training and workforce development program to help shape the next generation of child care educators.



About the Development Department
At TCG, making a difference in a child’s life extends beyond the classroom. Every department plays a critical role in advancing our mission and positively impacting the lives of children and families. The Development team supports this work by securing and stewarding the financial resources necessary to sustain and grow TCG’s programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Grant Development and Compliance: Assists with and/or writes grant proposals and reports that meet funder requirements and deadlines and aligns with our organizational mission and values. Assists with documenting grant compliance in collaboration with development, program, and finance staff. Supports the full lifecycle of institutional grants, from concepting to submission to reporting.
• Communication and Stewardship: Builds and maintains positive relationships through accurate and effective cross- departmental communication and promptly responds to internal and external outreach, including coordination related to grants, data gathering, impact storytelling and other philanthropic support. Assists in preparing donor briefings, proposals, annual reports, donor acknowledgement and stewardship communications as needed.
• Development Operations & Database Management: Maintains a well-defined system of organizing files, calendars, development of database records, and relevant internal and external communications. Supports reporting needs by pulling lists, updating records, and helping refine development systems.
• Prospect Research: Conducts basic prospect research, as well as grant research, to support institutional and individual fundraising efforts across programs.
• Other Responsibilities may include:

• Preparing external communications in collaboration with the Director of Communications and Public Relations.
• Maintaining grant and donation files and donor database.
• Helping build internal process improvements for grants and development workflows.
• All other projects and duties assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• Uphold a passionate belief in The Community Group's mission, values, and educational model.
• Associate’s degree required, bachelor’s degree plus.
• 1-3 years professional work experience, with some experience in early childhood or elementary education (ages 0-13) preferred.
• Highly organized, able to maintain and improve systems of organization, meet deadlines and balance multiple workflows simultaneously.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, adaptability and problem-solving skills.
• Successful grant writing experience is preferred.
• Advanced with all Microsoft Office and Google programs including SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, Google Docs and Google Sheets, and comfort learning new technology.
  
  

Work Environment
This position operates in a hybrid work environment, requiring both remote work and onsite presence at the TCG Business office. This role may require occasional travel to program locations and/or funder site or events as needed. Physical demands include the ability to sit or stand for extended periods, move throughout office or program environments (which may include stairs or uneven surfaces), and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically. The role may occasionally require lifting up to 10 pounds (such as files, laptops, or other office materials). This role may require occasional, evening and/or weekend work. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Compensation Statement
At The Community Group, we are committed to equitable and transparent compensation practices that reflect our values and mission. The posted salary range represents our good-faith estimate of pay for this position at the time of posting. Placement within this range will be determined using fair, non-discriminatory factors, including skills, experience, and competencies. Our compensation practices are regularly reviewed to ensure fairness, consistency, and compliance with the Massachusetts Pay Transparency Act.



EEO Statement / Commitment to Diversity
The Community Group is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

E-Verify Notice
The Community Group participates in the E-Verify program to determine the immigration and work-eligibility status of prospective employees. Please refer to the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Right to Work documents for more information.

Are you ready to use your development expertise to make a positive impact?

To apply, please send a resume to [email protected]. Candidates will be asked to submit a cover letter detailing their fitness for the position and professional writing sample during the interview process. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.