Grant Writer for Arts Nonprofit – Hybrid / Success-Based Bonus - Contract to Hire

WHAT CALIFORNIA PERFORMING ARTS AV NEEDS IN A GRANT WRITER / FUNDING PARTNER 1. ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW (CONTEXT MATTERS) California Performing Arts AV (CPAAV) is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization rooted in the belief that art is a powerful tool for healing, reentry, transformation, and belonging. CPAAV serves: • Underserved youth • Adults reentering society after incarceration • LGBTQ+ individuals • Community members traditionally excluded from arts access Programs span: • Acting and performance training • Film and theatre production • Healing workshops (trauma-informed, creative-based) • Community events and festivals • Workforce-adjacent creative skill development CPAAV is a working nonprofit — producing real projects, training real people, and building sustainable creative pathways. ⸻ 2. WHY WE NEED A GRANT WRITER (THE REALITY) CPAAV is in a growth phase, not a startup with no traction and not a fully funded institution. We need a grant writer who understands: • Early-to-mid-stage nonprofit realities • Limited cash flow • High mission clarity • Strong storytelling assets • Programs that are already active but underfunded This role is not for someone who: • Only wants large retainers • Only works with institutions that already have million-dollar budgets • Is uncomfortable with growth-stage ambiguity This role is for someone who: • Believes in the mission • Wants to grow with an organization • Is open to hybrid compensation • Sees grants as a long-term ecosystem, not one-off wins ⸻ 3. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES (DETAILED) Grant Research & Strategy • Identify grants aligned with: • Arts & culture • Community development • Reentry & justice-impacted populations • Healing, trauma-informed care • Education & workforce readiness • Prioritize grants that are realistic for CPAAV’s current stage • Build a rolling grant calendar (monthly, quarterly, annual) Proposal Writing • Write clear, compelling narratives that reflect: • Lived experience • Authentic community impact • Program outcomes without exaggeration • Adapt language to different funder tones (government vs private foundation) • Ensure proposals align with CPAAV’s actual capacity Supporting Materials • Collaborate on: • Program descriptions • Logic models (simple, realistic) • Budgets and budget narratives • Organizational background sections • Help identify gaps in documentation and recommend solutions Submission & Tracking • Track: • Deadlines • Submissions • Award notifications • Rejections and feedback • Maintain a simple grant tracking system • Assist with follow-ups when appropriate ⸻ 4. WHAT THIS ROLE IS NOT To be very clear, this role is not: • Commission-only • High-pressure sales • A promise of guaranteed funding • A request to “work for free” CPAAV respects grant writing as skilled labor. ⸻ 5. COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY (TRANSPARENT & ETHICAL) CPAAV is seeking a hybrid compensation relationship, which may include: Base Compensation One or more of the following: • Fixed fee per grant • Modest monthly retainer • Hourly compensation for defined scopes This base compensation is paid regardless of outcome. Success-Based Bonus In addition to base pay, CPAAV offers: • A success-based bonus tied to awarded grants • Bonus calculated as a percentage of funds awarded • Bonus paid only after funds are received This structure: • Respects professional ethics • Acknowledges cash-flow realities • Rewards impact and partnership Exact terms are discussed and documented in writing. ⸻ 6. IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE Required Qualities • Strong writer and communicator • Organized and deadline-aware • Comfortable collaborating with leadership • Honest about what is and isn’t fundable • Values integrity over hype Preferred Experience • Nonprofit grant writing • Arts or culture funding • Community-based organizations • Justice-impacted or reentry work • Trauma-informed programs Mindset Fit This role requires someone who: • Understands grassroots work • Is flexible and solutions-oriented • Sees grants as relationship-building • Wants to grow alongside the organization ⸻ 7. WORKING RELATIONSHIP • Remote-friendly • Contract-based • Long-term potential • Clear communication expectations • Written agreements for protection on both sides ⸻ 8. MEASURES OF SUCCESS Success is not defined solely by awards. We measure success by: • Quality and alignment of submissions • Improved grant readiness over time • Clear strategy and prioritization • Growth in funding opportunities • Sustainable systems being built ⸻ 9. VALUES & CULTURE CPAAV values: • Transparency • Healing-centered work • Accountability • Collaboration • Respect for lived experience We are not interested in: • Overpromising • Inflated metrics • Exploitative funding practices ⸻ 10. WHO THIS IS PERFECT FOR This role is ideal for: • An emerging grant writer building a portfolio • A nonprofit consultant open to hybrid models • A fundraiser who believes in arts-based healing • Someone who wants meaning + sustainability, not just transactions ⸻ NEXT STEP If this description resonates, CPAAV is open to conversation, collaboration, and co-creating a funding strategy that supports both the organization and the grant writer fairly.