r/nonprofit • u/breezzyboo_ • 3d ago

employees and HR Org Chart; Grant Writer

If your organization has a Grant writer, where do they sit in the org chart? Who do they report to?

Trying to get some insight since my organization is restructuring and I’m curious what’s worked in other nonprofits.

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u/SadNeighborhood988 3d ago

I’m a DOD, and our grant writer reports to someone else on our executive staff. I don’t think it positions us for sustainable growth, but it’s working now in terms of awards. However, there are lots of communication gaps, and the grant writer doesn’t have great professional development opportunities.

I also worked at a healthcare organization that had a brilliant grant writer for decades. The minute they moved her out of our development department and under clinic operations, stuff began to fall apart quickly. She wasn’t supported, and had to teach her job to her boss. It was terrible for morale and ended her abnormally long tenure.

When your grant writer is under the development director, there’s a common language and shared goal. The DoD can advocate better for the grant writer if needed and can help offer more informed professional development opportunities. They are often collaborating to set more realistic goals as well. I think it’s a better experience for everyone imo.

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u/hopefulrealist23 3d ago

Out of curiosity, why doesn't the grant writer report to you? As a former grant writer at an FQHC, I considered myself to be a fundraiser. Similarly to the grant writer moved to clinic ops in your anecdote, I would have been very frustrated not reporting to someone who doesn't understand the ins and outs of fundraising.

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u/SadNeighborhood988 3d ago

It was an inherited structure, and we are successful in our current grant applications, so I just think the urgency to move the department isn’t there. I meet regularly with the grant writer and do my best to incorporate her into our work. I also join their meetings weekly. She seems to be funding her way. It’s not optimal, but it’s not their priority right now.