Grant Writer

Overview

We are seeking a highly organized and collaborative grant writer to research, develop, write, and manage grants that support the American Cinematheque's artistic programs, operational needs, capital improvements, archival projects, and institutional priorities. This role requires a professional who is fully comfortable navigating private foundation relationships, government grant portals, corporate giving structures, and multi-year institutional funding cycles.

The ideal candidate is someone who understands the rhythm of our programming calendar, the scale and complexity of our exhibitions, the nuance of archival work, and the strategic positioning required to secure support across varied sources.

You will work closely with the Fundraising, Programming, Archive, and Finance teams to craft proposals that accurately reflect our scope, impact, and aspirations.

Responsibilities

• Grant Strategy and Pipeline Management
• Maintain a robust year-round pipeline of private, corporate, and government grant opportunities aligned with AC's mission, programmatic slate, and long-term goals.
• Research new prospects that fit our range of needs: operating support, theater renovations, archival preservation, digital infrastructure, publications, education, and major festivals.
• Assess fit, competitiveness, and requirements for each opportunity and advise the Fundraising team accordingly.
• Proposal Development & Writing
• Draft clear, compelling, and institutionally aligned proposals for a diverse portfolio of funders.
• Tailor content to the tone, expectations, and history of each funder, whether a family foundation, state arts council, federal agency, or corporate partner.
• Develop narratives for multi-faceted projects such as digital asset management systems, preservation initiatives, and publication efforts, ensuring accuracy and vision alignment.
• Collaboration & Internal Coordination
• Work with the Programming team to gather details on festivals, special series, and year-round screenings that might align with grant requirements.
• Partner with Archive and Fundraising staff to build preservation and book-related proposals, including technical, historical, and methodological details.
• Coordinate with Finance to develop budgets, reconcile grant spending, and ensure compliance with financial reporting.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to refine narratives that support capital campaigns and strategic growth initiatives.
• Reporting & Stewardship
• Manage all grant reporting deadlines, ensuring that interim and final reports are accurate, thoughtful, and submitted on time.
• Work with the Fundraising team to track deliverables and metrics across programs: including attendance, reach, educational impact, and archival milestones.
• Support stewardship by drafting updates, renewal requests, and institutional communications that maintain long-term funding relationships.

Experience

• 3-5+ years of grant writing experience, preferably within arts, culture, film, or media-focused nonprofits.
• Demonstrated success securing funding from private foundations, federal and state arts agencies, corporate philanthropy programs, and cultural endowments.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit budgeting, restricted vs. unrestricted funding, and multi-year award management.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to adapt tone across audiences.
• Familiarity with archival work, film exhibition, or artist-centered programming preferred.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and projects simultaneously.
• Comfortable collaborating with cross-departmental teams in a fast-paced, high-volume cultural environment.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $ $125.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 25 per week

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Los Angeles, CA 90028