Grants & HNI Engagement Lead

As we enter a phase of strategic growth, were looking for a high-energy team member who can bring together strong relationship-building skills with smart, AI-enabled execution. If youre excited about using AI tools to unlock time and scale — while still doing deeply human, values-driven work — this role is for you.

The Role at a Glance:

This role sits at the intersection of two critical pieces of our fundraising strategy:

1. Building U&Is readiness and capacity for philanthropic grants, and
2. Engaging with High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) and ecosystem champions.

Youll use emerging AI tools to increase productivity, personalize outreach, and stay on top of both grant pipelines and relationship-building workflows.

Youll work closely with internal stakeholders across programs, communications, and leadership, and be supported by an internal AI mentor to help build AI-supported systems and workflows.

What Youll Do:

Grants: Research, Readiness & Management

• Research and maintain a pipeline of grant opportunities from philanthropic foundations and individual donors.
• Write compelling proposals, reports, and decks tailored to each funders interests and giving philosophy.
• Work with the communications and programs team to gather impact data, quotes, photos, and other assets.
• Redesign and maintain U&Is grant-facing documents and website to reflect our mission, impact, and credibility.
• Use AI tools to accelerate grant discovery, proposal writing, and reporting — while ensuring a human touch in all communication.
• Track deadlines, application stages, and follow-ups through an organized grant management system.

HNI Engagement

• Identify and connect with HNIs, business leaders, and ecosystem champions in education, philanthropy, and social change.
• Draft personalized communication for outreach, follow-ups, and meeting preparation.

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Get Hired
• Build a growing network of U&I supporters, mentors, and advocates through thoughtful and sustained engagement.
• Leverage AI-based Sales Development Representative (AISDR) tools (e.g., Salesrobot, CharityGPT, Claude) to scale smart outreach without losing depth.
• Support event curation, closed-door conversations, and 1:1 meetings that help deepen donor relationships over time.

Who You Are

• You have 1-3 years of experience in fundraising, partnerships, donor relations, or business development.
• Youre a great communicator — written and spoken — and know how to adapt tone based on audience.
• You love connecting with people and are confident approaching senior leaders, philanthropists, and ecosystem stakeholders.
• Youre organized, proactive, and follow through on conversations and commitments.
• Youre curious about AI and excited to integrate tools that make your work more strategic and scalable.
• You believe in the power of education, and are drawn to U&Is mission of community-powered change.