Rooted in community for over 40 years, Communities In Schools of Central Texas (CISCT) is a sophisticated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Austin, Texas. Communities In Schools (CIS) is a national organization that ensures every student has what they need to realize their full potential in school and beyond. At CISCT, our mission is simple: surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. We are a nearly $24 million organization serving tens of thousands of students annually across Central Texas.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Grants is a senior, writing-forward role responsible for leading pre-award public funding strategy and serving as a primary proposal writer for complex and high-impact government grants. This position works in close partnership with the Director of Grants, who remains a significant contributor to proposal writing, particularly for the organization’s largest and most strategic opportunities.

The Associate Director brings deep technical expertise in public funding, leads public grant prospecting and research, and drafts and coordinates competitive proposals aligned with CISCT’s strategic priorities. While this role contributes to grant strategy and provides thought leadership in the public funding space, it remains a hands- on, writing-forward position with opportunities for leadership through complex project ownership and cross-functional collaboration.

What You’ll Do

Public Funding Strategy & Prospecting (Pre-Award)

Lead pre-award public funding prospecting efforts, including federal, state and local opportunities
Monitor public funding trends, policy shifts, and procurement pipelines relevant to education, mental health, student supports, and youth development
Conduct in-depth research to assess opportunity fit, competitiveness, and capacity requirements
Coordinate with CIS National’s grants team to stay aligned with network-wide public funding strategy, guidance, and opportunities
Participate in RFP workshops, information sessions, and webinars, translating learnings into actionable recommendations
Advise the Director of Grants on public funding opportunities, feasibility, risks, and strategic alignment

Grant Writing & Proposal Development

Serve as lead writer for many complex and technically demanding public grant proposals
Draft full proposal narratives or major sections of large public grants, often in collaboration with the Director of Grants
Translate program models, outcomes, and budgets into clear, compelling, and compliant narratives
Coordinate with program, finance, evaluation, and operations staff to develop scopes of work, budgets, and required attachments
Ensure proposals are responsive to funder priorities, clearly articulated, and aligned with CISCT’s strategic
goals
Collaboration & Proposal Transition
Partner closely with the Director of Grants on proposal positioning, messaging, and prioritization
Collaborate with the Grants Manager to ensure strong handoff from awarded proposals into post-award compliance and reporting
Draft proposal narratives with clear attention to future reporting requirements, measurable outcomes, and deliverables
Respond to funder questions related to proposal content or narrative intent as needed
Team & Organizational Support
Support private foundation proposals and reports during peak cycles or surge periods
Contribute to the refinement of grants templates, tools, and internal processes
Build strong cross-functional relationships to support effective grants development
Promote agency culture, standards, and systems
Participate in the CIS team approach to service delivery and problem-solving
Other duties as assigned by the Director of Grants or Chief Development Officer

What You Bring

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
Minimum of five (5) years of professional grant writing experience, with significant experience in public sector grants or contracts
Demonstrated success securing government funding in education, social services, or related fields
Exceptional technical writing skills and ability to manage complex, compliance-driven proposals
Strong research skills and comfort navigating public funding systems and procurement processes
Ability to synthesize complex information and make strategic recommendations
Experience collaborating across departments and contributing to shared writing efforts
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines
Ability to work independently while thriving in a collaborative, team-based environment
Familiarity with CIS, education systems, or youth-serving organizations is a plus
Experience using AI tools and emerging technologies for grant research or writing is a plus

Why Join CIS?

Mission-driven work – Be part of a team that changes the trajectory of students’ lives.
Professional growth – Ongoing training, supervision, and career pathways into director-level roles.
Community impact – Build partnerships that extend beyond the classroom.
Generous paid time off: 4+ weeks of holidays, 2 weeks of vacation time, personal days and sick days
Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% employer-paid employee medical plan available, plus family subsidies, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
Community-centered culture focused on impact, growth, and connection

Communities In Schools of Central Texas is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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