About the job
About Merit America
The American workforce is facing significant challenges, with 53 million working adults earning less than a living wage. Many of these individuals, particularly people of color and women, find themselves trapped in low-wage jobs with limited opportunities for advancement. Traditional pathways such as college are often too lengthy and costly, while boot camps lack the necessary flexibility, and online courses fall short in providing the required structure and support.
Merit America is a pioneering nonprofit organization dedicated to creating sustainable career pathways for individuals stuck in low-wage employment. Our innovative and flexible solutions are tailored for working adults. By analyzing millions of job postings, we identify high-demand tech careers and partner with industry leaders to provide part-time training programs that blend flexible online learning with top-notch coaching. We also assist our learners in connecting with a diverse range of employers, including JPMorgan Chase and Infosys, to secure higher-paying jobs that support their families. Since our inception in 2018, we have generated an estimated $1 billion in wage gains for our learners.
Position Overview
As the Grants and Development Specialist, you will report directly to the Director of Institutional Giving and be instrumental in managing Merit America’s institutional funding portfolio. This role emphasizes strong writing skills and relationship-building, ideal for someone passionate about crafting compelling narratives supported by data. You will be responsible for developing grant reports, contributing to proposals, and helping to expand our funding pipeline.
The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic, startup environment and regularly utilizes AI tools to enhance workflow efficiency, storytelling, and research. You should approach both stewardship and pipeline development with curiosity, initiative, and a strong sense of ownership.

