Senior Grants Associate

PDK International and Educators Rising

Background

PDK International and Educators Rising are advancing a national educator pathway that begins in high school and connects to postsecondary preparation and entry into the profession. We work alongside states, districts, higher education, and field-building partners to strengthen the educator workforce and elevate teaching as a leadership pathway. Philanthropy will power the co-making, scaling, and long-term durability of this work. The Senior Grants Associate plays a central role in translating strategy into funded progress. This is a writing-intensive, research-driven role with direct exposure to executive leadership and national funders. You will support the CEO across the full lifecycle of institutional grants, from prospect research through proposal development and reporting. This role is designed for a strong early- to mid-career professional ready to operate at a high level and grow with a national organization.

Role Overview

The Senior Grants Associate supports institutional fundraising across foundations, corporations, and government sources at both local and national levels. You will:

• Conduct rigorous prospect research and funding fit analysis.
• Draft competitive grant proposals and reports.
• Translate complex programmatic, workforce, and policy information into clear narratives.
• Maintain a disciplined grants pipeline and tracking system.
• Support executive preparation for funder engagement.
  
  

You will report to the Chief of Staff and partner closely with the CEO to ensure our funding strategy reflects our mission, values, and emerging national agenda.

Core Responsibilities

Prospect Research and Pipeline Management:

• Identify aligned institutional funders at local and national levels.
• Analyze funder priorities, giving history, and strategic fit.
• Maintain a structured grants calendar and opportunity tracker.
• Partner with Grants Manager to track submission deadlines, reporting requirements, and compliance milestones.
• Support internal funding forecasts and development dashboards.
  
  

Grant Writing And Narrative Development

• Draft proposals, letters of inquiry, and concept notes.
• Partner with the team and Grants Manager to draft high-quality funder reports.
• Synthesize data, strategy, and program outcomes into compelling narratives.
• Develop reusable narrative language aligned to organizational priorities.
• Prepare briefing memos and background materials for CEO meetings.
  
  

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with program staff to gather impact data and implementation updates.
• Collaborate with finance to develop proposal budgets and track grant allocations.
• Ensure reporting is accurate, timely, and aligned with funder expectations.
• Prepare development updates and materials for Board review.
  
  

Systems And Technology

• Maintain accurate records in CRM and grant management systems.
• Support basic analysis of funding trends and outcomes.
• Leverage AI tools responsibly to improve efficiency in research and drafting.
• Exercise independent judgment and critical thinking in all written work.
  
  

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in nonprofit development, grants, research, policy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience drafting grant proposals or institutional reports.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Strong research and analytical ability.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Experience with CRM systems and Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
• Understanding of or strong interest in U.S. public education.
  
  

Preferred

• 5 to 6 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in education-focused organizations or philanthropy.
• Familiarity with secondary education, workforce pathways, or postsecondary systems.
• Comfort working with programmatic and financial data.
  
  

Who You Are

• Mission-driven and serious about strengthening public education.
• A disciplined thinker who writes with clarity and structure.
• Curious about how philanthropy supports systems change.
• Comfortable working closely with senior leadership.
• Proactive and detail-oriented.
• Thoughtful about using technology and AI as productivity tools.
  
  

Compensation: Salary range will be between $65,000- $75,000, commensurate with experience, plus competitive benefits.

How To Apply

Your resume and cover letter will serve as your application. To be considered for this role, submit your resume and cover letter to HR@pdkintl.org with the subject line: Senior Grants Associate.

Deviation from this subject line will cause a delay in the processing of your application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

About PDK International

Established in 1906, PDK International supports P-20 educators, researchers, and policy makers by strengthening their commitment to the profession throughout the entire arc of their careers. We are committed to elevating the profession through the intersection of research and practice. Through our core values of community, leadership, service, optimism, and excellence, we encourage educators and stakeholders to elevate the discourse and change the narrative around teaching and learning to ensure that every student has a high-quality education. Educators Rising is transforming how America develops aspiring teachers. Starting with high school students, we provide passionate young people with hands-on teaching experience, sustain their interest in the profession, and help them cultivate the skills they need to be successful educators. Every teacher should enter the profession with the necessary skills. Educators Rising is a powerful way to help communities grow the next generation of well-prepared teachers.