About the Role
Are you a skilled writer or nonprofit strategist with an eye for opportunity? The KYO is looking for a Director of Grant Writing to join our board and lead efforts to secure and manage grants from foundations, government agencies, and other institutional funders. This volunteer position is perfect for someone looking to grow their leadership experience while directly contributing to sustainable funding and mission impact.
What You’ll Gain
- Career-Growth: Gain a relevant, professionally-aligned Director of Business Development title that can boost your resume and career trajectory, opening up executive and leadership opportunities.
- Networking: Join a professional network of experts, executives, and community leaders, opening doors for future opportunities within the community.
- Mentorship and Coaching: Receive personalized coaching from our board members, helping you transition into higher levels of leadership.
- Professional Development: Develop and refine your leadership, management, and executive skills through hands-on experience and continuous support.
- Letter of Recommendation: Upon completion of your term, receive a letter of recommendation from our chief executive.
- Career and Leadership Coaching: Calls, meetings, and support sessions from our industry-leading partner companies consultants and executives.
Please note: This is a volunteer position. Our board roles are designed to provide valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth. Serving on the board offers a chance to expand your network, develop leadership skills, and contribute meaningfully to the organization's mission. While this position is not compensated, we believe the experience and impact of the role can greatly enrich your career and personal fulfillment.
About the Organization
We are a community music and orchestra-training organization serving elementary through post-secondary-aged youth and has been running continuously since 2002. Our mission is to combine accessibility with a pursuit of excellence in our orchestral experiences and training. No child is denied music participation because of restricted financial means. Our instrument-lending library ensures children have quality instruments with which to learn. We at the Kawartha Youth Orchestra provide professional instrumental teaching artists and performers, hosts public education events, advocates for the Arts, and promotes social innovation partnerships that tie music learning and performance to community-building initiatives.
We aim to give our members a life-long love of music, while also helping them develop self-esteem, discipline, teamwork, leadership, performance skills, and a strong connection to their community through music. We currently run three ensembles – one for new musicians, an intermediate group, and a senior youth orchestra for developing and experienced instrumentalists. Since September 2021, we have run a subsidized music program downtown, which is an after-school ensemble instruction program for children, aged 6-18 years, facing pronounced socio-economic barriers. The program runs three afternoons a week and provides a daily nutritious mini-meal, a safe landing place for guided positive social interaction and leadership development, 1:1 attention and role modelling from caring adults, and skill development through ensemble instrumental music instruction.
Why Join Us?
- Lead Grant Strategy: Develop and maintain a pipeline of local, provincial, and federal grant opportunities.
- Write and Submit Proposals: Draft compelling proposals, letters of intent, and funding applications aligned with organizational priorities.
- Manage Reporting: Track deadlines and ensure timely submission of interim and final grant reports.
- Coordinate with Teams: Collaborate with the Director of Business and Finance, program manager, and board of directors to gather data and articulate funding needs.
- Track Impact: Assist in creating systems to measure and report program outcomes to funders.
- Grant Compliance: Ensure grant-funded activities comply with applicable terms and conditions.
This role is perfect for professionals ready to step into an executive position, support their community, and grow their leadership skills with the support of a well-structured and dynamic organization. If you are eager to develop both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply!
Key Responsibilities:
- Grant writing, copywriting, or communications experience (nonprofit or agency).
- Ability to synthesize data, program outcomes, and impact into persuasive narratives.
- Familiarity with budgeting, logic models, or grant compliance frameworks.
- Excellent attention to detail, time management, and organizational skills
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Job Types: Part-time, Casual
Expected hours: 5 per week
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Flexible schedule
- Work from home
Application question(s):
- This board position is a volunteer role, as per the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010, S.O. 2010, c. 15, which generally prohibits monetary compensation for board members of charitable organizations. While this position does not offer financial compensation, it provides significant personal and professional growth opportunities. These include valuable experience, networking opportunities, mentorship, professional development (including upskilling and executive leadership experience), and a letter of recommendation upon completion of your term among other benefits. The time commitment is a few hours per week, allowing for flexibility.
Are you comfortable with this structure and the commitment required, understanding that the benefits are focused on career advancement, networking, and skill development, rather than direct compensation?
Experience:
- Writing skills: 3 years (preferred)
- Copy editing: 3 years (preferred)
- Project planning: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: Remote
