Position: Grants Manager
Organization: Florida Debate Initiative, Inc. (FDI)
Reports to: FDI President
Location: In-Office – FDI Headquarters, Oviedo, FL
Status: Full-Time Employee
Compensation: $60,000–$68,000 annually, commensurate with experience, plus a monthly healthcare stipend

Overview

The Grants Manager leads the Florida Debate Initiative’s grant-seeking and grant-management efforts, securing and stewarding the funding that sustains and grows FDI’s programs.

This full-time role researches and identifies government, corporate, foundation, and private funding; writes compelling proposals; and manages awards from application through reporting and compliance.

Reporting to the President, the Grants Manager is central to FDI’s strategy to diversify revenue and strengthen long-term sustainability. The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer and researcher, highly organized, and driven to turn funding opportunities into lasting support for civics, speech, and debate education across Florida.

Key Responsibilities

Grant Development & Writing — Primary

Prospect Research: Research and identify new government, corporate, foundation, and private funding prospects that match FDI’s priorities.

Proposal Writing: Write clear, accurate, well-researched grant proposals, solicitations, case statements, and supporting documents.

Revenue Generation: Generate revenue for programs and services through timely, high-quality proposal submissions.

Funding Calendar: Maintain and implement a funding calendar, including prospect cultivation activities.

Opportunity Matching: Identify funding opportunities and new program areas that align with organizational priorities.

Proposal Budgets: Develop and understand budgets as they relate to proposals and grant requirements.

Grant Management & Compliance

Reporting: Write programmatic and fiscal reports to government, corporate, foundation, and other funders.

Award Administration: Administer grant awards from a diverse range of sources, ensuring compliance and accurate recordkeeping.

Funder Relations: Serve as a liaison to funding partners, including government agencies, foundations, and companies.

Collaboration: Work with the President and Development Consultant to align grant efforts with fundraising strategy.

Focus Areas

Prospect Research • Proposal Writing • Funder Reporting • Award Compliance • Funding Calendar • Funder Relations

Qualifications

Candidate Background

• Bachelor’s degree, or three to seven years of combined experience in nonprofit administration, grant writing, or fundraising.
• Three or more years of experience in fundraising, grant writing, or grants management.

Experience

• Grant-writing experience with knowledge of the application process, scoring criteria, and funding cycles.
• Proven record of securing grants; references may be requested. Education grant experience is a plus.
• Solid understanding of budgets as they relate to proposals and grants.
• Preferred: Certified Grant Writer credential and experience with state and federal grants.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong persuasive-writing ability.
• Proficiency in research and in interpreting and analyzing diverse data.
• Highly organized and able to manage deadlines and produce quality work under pressure.
• Proficiency with CRM and donor software, such as DonorPerfect or Network for Good, and Microsoft Office.
• Commitment to the FDI/FCDI mission and to diversifying its funding base.

Application

Submit a letter of interest and résumé detailing relevant experience to info@floridadebate.org.

SEND LETTER OF INTEREST & RÉSUMÉ TO:
info@floridadebate.org

The Florida Debate Initiative, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.