Who is SFLR?

The Sustainable Forestry & African American Land Retention (SFLR) envisions a world where African American landowners are empowered to protect, control and enhance their land assets through forestry, agriculture, and conservation – all while building a generational legacy of life on the land.

The SFLR Network exists to create a sustainable system of support for African American land and forest owners that significantly increases the value of African American-owned forests through sustainable forestry practices, land retention services, technical assistance, and more.

We work collaboratively across our eight network sites to convene landowners and forestry leaders, to raise funds to support landowner services on the ground, to train emerging conservation leaders, to amplify African American land stories, and to advocate for equitable land policies.

The SFLR Network is rooted in 8 states: Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Texas 

How Your Role Amplifies Impact

SFLR is able to support several foresters and landowners around the country because of the work done at the eight sites. As a member of the SFLR team, you will help us secure the funding necessary to continue our impactful work and grow our Network. The Grants Writer will be in a contract position through the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities and will report to the SFLR Executive Director.

What a Day Looks Like – Your roles and responsibilities

• Lead the development, writing, and submission of grant proposals to federal, state, and private agencies 
• Research and identify grant opportunities relevant to our mission and organizational needs
• Secure government and private funding to support SFLR’s operating and capital budget needs 
• Write compelling, persuasive grant proposals and applications tailored to the specific requirements of each funder
• Collaborate with our team to gather necessary information and align grant applications with our mission and strategic goals
• Synthesize data, create logical progress reports and factual performance through historical or trend analysis
• Work alongside Network Strategic Growth Lead to manage the grant application process from start to finish
• Be up to date and knowledgeable about existing and renewing grant opportunities 
• Maintain a calendar of submissions and reporting deadlines
• Assist in developing budgets for grant applications 
• Proofread and edit proposals before submission
• Assist in the development of funding strategies to support the agency’s goals

Who would be a perfect fit for the SFLR Network? (Preferred Skills)

You do not have to fit all these requirements! If some of these align with you, we encourage you to apply. We value team members with strong experience and a determination to learn 

• Minimum 3 years in grant writing with track record of winning grant awards 
• Experience with private and federal grants preferred
• Excellent knowledge of fundraising information sources
• Proficient in database management, Microsoft Office Suite, and other computer skills, as needed 
• Strong attention to detail, organized, and ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines 
• Has vast experience and comfort managing change, adapting to quickly changing situations, and realigning priorities
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• A “people person” who enjoys speaking with people and building relationships 
• Work independently with minimal supervision while functioning effectively as part of a team 
• Excellent research and analytic skills, comfortable working with data 

Work Environment

The Grant Writer will primarily be a work from home position based in the Southeastern United States, though we will consider great applicants from other regions. The position has the ability, and willingness, to travel up to 40% of the time. Additionally, evening and weekend work may be occasionally required. 

The SFLR Network Team Values:

Life and work harmony

Balance isn’t always possible, but harmony is worth the reach. On the SFLR Network team, we value the holistic wellbeing of our team members and collaborate to help life and work dance together in ways that are good for you and for our organization.

Finding the creative solution

When we reach roadblocks and barriers, we value stepping back, gaining perspective, and looking at challenges with new eyes. Where we don’t see possibilities, we create them.

Faithfulness in the little things

There’s no such thing as a small or unimportant task. The period at the end of a sentence. A thank you card for a job well done. Whatever the details are, they matter. We attend to them with care.

Steady growth towards greatness

Great work is created one step at a time. Through audacious goal setting, giving and receiving feedback, and being dedicated to growth as individuals and a team, we take daily steps towards the great impact we hope to have in the world.

Compensation

This is a one-year contract position funded by the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities. There is an expectation of becoming a full-time, permanent position of Grants Writer for the SFLR Network once incorporated. The hourly range for this position is $35-$50/hour based on experience. As an independent contractor, the individual will be responsible for all taxes and assessments related to these earnings and is not eligible for Endowment employee benefits (healthcare, PTO, retirement, etc.). The contractor must supply their own equipment. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

How to Apply
Please compile the following and email them to Jordyn Robinson, [email protected]:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Portfolio of grants written and awarded (please redact specific, identifiable client information)
• A link to a 3-minute video sharing who you are and why you’re interested in joining the SFLR Network Team. (Note that we will only review 3 minutes of your video, so if you send a longer video, we will watch no more than the first 3 minutes.) 

If you have any questions about this role, email our Executive Director, Bethaney Wilkinson, [email protected].