Consultant: Grant Writer/ Prospector

Introduction

Development in Gardening (DIG) is an international 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the nutrition and livelihoods of some of the world’s most uniquely marginalized communities by teaching regenerative gardening practices. With programs currently in Kenya, Uganda, and Senegal, DIG’s core programs—including Farmer Field Schools, Priority Household Projects, and the Indigenous Foods Preservation Project—are helping increase food security, financial resilience, and social cohesion. By prioritizing the most marginalized populations, DIG works to meet the nuanced and unmet needs of communities often overlooked by other service providers.

DIG is seeking a qualified consultant or firm to provide grant prospecting and writing services to support our organization in securing funding from foundations, government agencies, and other institutions. The selected consultant will be integral to the success of our fundraising efforts and will work closely with our internal team to identify and pursue funding opportunities that align with our mission and goals. The initial contract will be for 6 months in duration, with the potential for renewal.

Background

DIG’s approach to fostering community-driven change is grounded in the principles and practices of agroecology. We are a growing organization with programs currently in Kenya, Uganda, and Senegal, and while our US-based team is small, we are part of a close-knit global network of teams, partners, and supporters working together to make a real difference. To continue scaling our impact, securing new funding through grant opportunities is essential. This engagement will support DIG’s work by identifying potential grant sources, crafting strong proposals, and potentially contributing to ensure effective reporting.

The consultant will be an important member of our community and will collaborate closely with key members of our team, including the Executive Director, the Director of Global Program Operations, the Development Committee (which includes staff and Board members), and our Marketing and Communications Manager, to identify and apply for relevant grants.

Scope of Work

Grant Prospecting

• Research & Identification: Identify potential funding opportunities (grants, foundations, government funding, etc.) that align with DIG’s mission and programs.
• Opportunity Mapping: Create and maintain a comprehensive list of suitable grant opportunities, with clear details on eligibility requirements, deadlines, funding amounts, and other key parameters.
• Grant Calendar: Develop and manage a grant calendar to track deadlines, submission statuses, and other relevant milestones.

Grant Writing

• Proposal Development: Prepare and write compelling grant proposals tailored to the specific requirements, DIG’s mission/programs/needs, and goals of each funding opportunity.
• Collaboration with Staff: Work closely with DIG’s Donor Engagement and Partnerships Growth Manager, Director of Global Program Operations and other relevant staff to gather information, data, and narratives necessary for proposal development.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure all proposals meet the specific guidelines and deadlines and maintain the integrity of our mission and programs.

Stewardship and Reporting (as requested)

• Donor Communication: Collaborate with DIG’s Donor Engagement and Partnership Growth Manager, Director of Global Program Operations, and Marketing and Communications Manager to ensure proper communication with funders, including submitting progress reports and tracking grant outcomes if agreed upon in the scope of work.
• Final Reporting: Work with the Director of Global Program Operations and Donor Engagement and Partnership Growth Manager to meet deadlines and reporting requirements.

Requirements

• Demonstrated success in securing grants for similar non-profit organizations.
• Proficiency in grant development software and tools (e.g., donor management systems, and proposal management platforms).
• Expertise in writing high-quality grant proposals for foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Previous experience in agriculture, nutrition, food systems, locally-led development, and/or international development sectors.
• Excellent communication and writing abilities (in English), with a talent for crafting persuasive and tailored proposals.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners.
• Self-motivated, organized, and capable of managing multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Strong analytical and research skills to identify, evaluate, and prioritize funding opportunities.

Submission Requirements

Consultants interested in this initial 6-month opportunity should submit a 2-4 page proposal that includes the following:

1. Introduction: Qualifications, experience, and interest in working with DIG.
2. Experience and Expertise: Provide a description of your experience in grant prospecting and writing, including at least two examples of successful grant applications. If permitted, sharing samples of your work is highly encouraged.
3. Approach and Methodology: Outline your proposed approach to grant prospecting and writing for DIG, highlighting how you would collaborate with our team and effectively identify funding sources.
4. References: Contact information for three professional references or past clients who can speak to your qualifications, experience, and past performance.
5. Fees and Expenses: A detailed breakdown of your fee structure.