Contract Grant Writer

SFHDC is looking for an experienced Contract Grant Writer to help expand our fundraising efforts and support programs that strengthen communities through affordable housing, homeownership, financial empowerment, small business development, and resident services. Please help us spread the word!

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About the job

Contract Grant Writer

San Francisco Housing Development Corporation (SFHDC)

Status: Part-time, contract (1099) — opportunity to extend to full-time based on need and performance

Compensation: Hourly rate or per-proposal rate (open to proposals)

Location: San Francisco, CA (hybrid/remote flexible)

About SFHDC

Founded nearly 40 years ago by African American leaders, the San Francisco Housing Development Corporation has been a community-based nonprofit rooted in the Fillmore and Bayview Hunters Point neighborhoods. Our mission is to foster financial stability through the development of affordable housing, the facilitation of homeownership, and the economic empowerment and revitalization of Bayview Hunters Point, the Fillmore, and other neighborhoods of San Francisco.

Today, SFHDC has grown to serve clients across the Bay Area — including a significant share of Financial Empowerment Center clients in Oakland — reaching approximately 5,000 clients annually across our four core program areas. Over the past 13 years, we've grown from 350 to more than 2,300 affordable housing units, and our resident services now reach 1,712 households across 14 properties. In 2024, SFHDC earned Certified Organization for Resident Services (CORES) certification from the Stewards for Affordable Housing for the Future which recognizes organizations that have developed a robust commitment, capacity, and competency in providing resident services coordination in affordable rental housing.

The Opportunity

SFHDC is seeking a skilled contract Grant Writer to support our fund development efforts across government, financial institution, and foundation funding sources. We are particularly focused on expanding our foundation funding portfolio and are especially interested in candidates with experience working with Bay Area–based foundations whose funding priorities align with our mission. This is a part-time contract role with the potential to grow into a full-time position depending on organizational need and the success of the initial engagement.

Core Program Areas

We're looking for someone with grant writing experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Affordable Housing Development — supporting the creation and preservation of affordable housing across San Francisco
• Homeownership & Financial Empowerment — including HUD-certified housing counseling and financial education/coaching services
• Small Business & Economic Development — supporting entrepreneurship and economic empowerment programs in historically underinvested communities
• Resident Services — supportive services programming for residents of affordable housing properties

Prior experience writing grants in any of these areas is a strong plus. We recognize each program area has its own nuances, and we're happy to provide thorough briefings, program data, and access to staff subject matter experts to support strong proposal development.

Responsibilities

• Research, draft, and submit grant proposals and letters of inquiry to government agencies, financial institutions, and foundations
• Tailor proposal narratives to align program activities with funder priorities and SFHDC's mission
• Collaborate with program staff to gather data, outcomes, and supporting materials
• Manage application timelines and ensure timely submission of complete, compelling proposals
• Support related materials as needed (e.g., letters of support, budget narratives, reporting language)

Qualifications

• Demonstrated track record of successful grant writing, ideally within affordable housing, financial empowerment/asset building, small business development, or social services
• Experience with Bay Area–based foundation funders preferred
• Strong research, writing, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Familiarity with government grant processes (e.g., HUD, MOHCD) a plus
• Familiarity with community-centric fundraising principles and asset-based language, especially when writing about communities impacted by structural inequities — we strive to acknowledge systemic challenges while honoring community strengths and power
• Experience using Instrumentl or similar grant prospecting tools is a plus (SFHDC has access to Instrumentl for identifying open RFPs)

Compensation

We're open to either an hourly rate or a per-proposal rate — please share your proposed rate structure based on your experience and typical scope of work.

To Apply

Please email the following to [click apply]:

• Resume
• Brief cover letter (one paragraph) including your proposed rate structure
• Two writing samples (grant proposals or similar narrative work; redacted if confidential)

We look forward to hearing from you!