CONTRACT GRANT WRITER

Organization: Write253
Location: Tacoma, WA
 Contract: Flexible hours
Reports To: Executive Director
 Pay range: $500 per month starting out.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026


About Write253

Write253 is a literary arts and printmaking organization whose mission is to provide meaningful and transformative writing, publishing, and artistic opportunities that cross boundaries and create community for youth, families and their caring adults in greater Tacoma.



Position Summary

Write253 is seeking a Contract Grant Writer to help identify funding opportunities and prepare strong grant applications that support our programs, operations, and continued growth.

The Contract Grant Writer will work directly with the Executive Director to research funding opportunities, help keep upcoming deadlines organized, and prepare grant applications that align with Write253’s mission and priorities.

This is a limited-scope independent contractor position designed for someone who can work independently and efficiently. The contractor will have flexibility in determining when and where the work is completed while meeting mutually agreed-upon deadlines.

Because this contract is budgeted at $500 per month, the role will focus on a manageable and mutually agreed-upon scope of grant work.


Scope of Work

The Contract Grant Writer will:

  • Research and identify grant opportunities that are a strong fit for Write253.
  • Update a shared grant opportunity and deadline tracker.
  • Recommend grant opportunities that Write253 should prioritize.
  • Draft and prepare agreed-upon grant applications.
  • Draft grant narratives, letters of inquiry, and other application materials.
  • Adapt existing organizational language and program descriptions for individual funders.
  • Work with the Executive Director to gather required budgets, program information, organizational documents, and attachments.
  • Help organize application materials and confirm that required components are complete.
  • Assist the Executive Director with submitting grant applications as needed.


Write253 will remain responsible for final approval of applications, organizational and financial documents, and final submission decisions.


Monthly Expectations

The scope of work will be determined collaboratively based on upcoming funding opportunities, application complexity, and deadlines.

Each month, Write253 and the contractor will agree upon the number and type of grant applications, letters of inquiry, research projects, or other grant-related deliverables to be completed.

The agreed-upon workload will reflect the size and complexity of each opportunity and the $500 monthly contract amount.

The $500 monthly retainer covers only the grant-related work and deliverables mutually agreed upon for that month. Additional or unusually complex grant work may require a separate fee agreed upon in advance.


Qualifications

We are looking for someone who:

  • Has experience writing grants for nonprofit organizations, schools, arts organizations, youth-serving organizations, or community-based organizations.
  • Has strong writing, editing, research, and organizational skills.
  • Can clearly communicate an organization’s mission, programs, impact, and funding needs.
  • Is comfortable working independently and managing deadlines.
  • Has experience researching foundations, government grants, corporate giving programs, or other institutional funding sources.
  • Can take existing organizational information and develop clear, compelling, funder-specific narratives.
  • Has strong attention to detail.
  • Is comfortable communicating with the Executive Director when additional information is needed.
  • Understands or is interested in youth development, literacy, education, literary arts, printmaking, arts and culture, or community-based nonprofit work. Knowledge of Tacoma, Pierce County, and Washington State philanthropy community.


Contract & Compensation

Contract Type: Independent Contractor

Compensation: $500 per month

Schedule: Flexible and determined by the contractor, subject to mutually agreed-upon grant deadlines and deliverables.

Location: Remote. Occasional virtual or in-person meetings with Write253 may be requested by mutual agreement.

Primary Contact: Jeremiah Schuler, Executive Director of Write253.

The contractor will provide their own equipment and determine their own working methods and schedule. This position does not guarantee a specific number of working hours.

This is an independent contractor engagement and does not include employee benefits.


What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means helping Write253 identify strong funding opportunities and prepare clear, thoughtful, and competitive grant applications.

The Contract Grant Writer will help keep upcoming opportunities organized, communicate Write253’s mission and impact effectively, and support the Executive Director in preparing applications for submission.


Equal Opportunity

Write253 welcomes contractors from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Selection will be based on qualifications, experience, the needs of the organization, and the requirements of the contract without discrimination on the basis of any status protected by applicable law.





How to Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to Jeremiah@write253.org by September 30 at 11:59pm. Please use this same email for any questions or inquiries regarding the position. Your cover letter should describe your connection to Write253’s mission and how your experience aligns with this role.