CBWS AY25-26 Fair Opportunity Project Grant Development Assistant

Hiring for 2025-26 school year. 

Job Title: Fair Opportunity Project Grant Development Assistant
Classification: Student Employee (non-exempt)
Name and Address of Employer: St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Ave, Northfield, MN 55057
If the position requires the student to work off campus, provide the name and address here: all work is done remotely.

Department Name: Community Based Work Study
Length of Position: See Employment Authorization  
Contact Person/Supervisor: Arielle Bakken
Pay Rate: Specialized CBWS Hourly Rate ($16.50/hour). This pay rate aligns with the pay scale for Fair Opportunity Project and is subject to an annual wage increase.

IMPORTANT: STUDENTS MUST HAVE A STATE OR FEDERAL WORK AWARD TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR COMMUNITY BASED WORK STUDY (CBWS) POSITIONS. Student CBWS work eligibility is subject to change due to work award re-determinations over the summer. This means even students who were a chosen applicant for the position may be ineligible to work if they do not have a state/federal work award come Fall 2025. Students who are unsure if they currently have a state or federal work award - please contact finaid@stolaf.edu before applying to find out what type of work award you have.

Description of the Position:
Fair Opportunity Project empowers students to access and afford college through its digital portal of curated, comprehensive resources and services on all aspects of the college application process. Our student-facing materials are created by a diverse pool of current college students and college advising professionals who compile college admissions and financial aid resources of the highest quality. Our approach uses technology and radical accessibility to reach and support college-interested students anywhere on the planet. Fair Opportunity Project’s resources have been accessed by over 100,000 users across 204 countries, which has resulted in a Forbes 30 under 30 award and features in the New York Times, CNBC, Thrillist, the Harvard Ed Magazine, Study Breaks Magazine, and the Harvard Gazette.

As a Grant Development Assistant, you will support our organization’s mission in securing external philanthropic funding through effective grant prospect research and contributing to the various stages of the grant application process. This position provides an excellent professional development experience to work and learn alongside a highly experienced grants professional (securing over $6M in private, state and federal awards since 2020) and gain practical experience in the field of philanthropic fundraising. You’ll develop insider’s knowledge on successful fundraising strategies and contribute to the success of our organization's fundraising efforts.
 

Transferable Skills: 

• Grant research and analysis (identifying funding opportunities, synthesizing information)
• Proposal writing and editing (crafting compelling narratives, aligning with funder guidelines)
• Communication and collaboration (working with program managers, gathering key data)
• Project management and organization (tracking applications, managing deadlines)
• Budgeting and financial justification (assisting in grant budget development)
• Adaptability and quick learning (navigating new software, understanding fundraising principles)
   

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Conduct thorough research on potential grant opportunities, including foundations, government agencies, and other funding sources relevant to our organization's mission and programs.
• Assist in the development and writing of grant proposals, ensuring alignment with funder guidelines, objectives, and requirements.
• Collaborate with program managers and subject matter experts to gather information and data necessary for grant proposal development.
• Participate in brainstorming sessions and contribute creative ideas for innovative programs or initiatives that align with potential funding opportunities.
• Help create persuasive and compelling narratives that effectively communicate the organization's mission, goals, and impact.
• Support the development of project budgets and financial justifications for grant proposals.
• Assist in proofreading and editing grant proposals to ensure clarity, coherence, and adherence to grant guidelines.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of grant applications, deadlines, and outcomes in our internal database or tracking systems.
• Stay informed about emerging trends, best practices, and changes in grant funding landscapes.
• Collaborate with the FairOpp team to evaluate the success of grant applica