Grant Writer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Grant writer jobs can qualify for H-1B visa or TN visa sponsorship when the role requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Nonprofits, universities, and research institutions are among the most active sponsors, and the H-1B visa annual lottery makes timing your job search critical.
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Get Access To All JobsAt the University of Cincinnati Foundation, we commit ourselves to providing a place where everyone belongs. We care deeply about those in our community, while also taking care to nurture new relationships. We have the courage to dream big, drive excellence and uphold integrity in our work.
STRUCTURE
The Grant Writer, Academic Health Enterprise is an exempt (salaried) position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation (UCF) and reports to the Senior Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations – Academic Health Enterprise.
FOCUS
The Grant Writer, Academic Health Enterprise, is responsible for the identification, solicitation, and stewardship of corporations and foundations that are major gift prospects for the University of Cincinnati Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Allied Health Sciences, as well the UC Health clinical enterprise. The Grant Writer provides strategic planning for a portfolio of regional and national charitable grant-makers with award capacities of at least $25K, and drive toward a goal of increasing gifts in the $100K to $250K+ range.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
- Identify and research potential grant resources to support the priorities and needs of the Academic Health Enterprise (AHE).
- Build and manage a personal portfolio of 50-60 major gift prospects.
- Communicate with the staff of foundations in their portfolio to keep them informed about the University of Cincinnati and its programs.
- Write and submit in a timely manner, funding proposals, letters of intent, cover letters and marketing cases for support.
- Provide proposal editing and feedback to faculty and others as needed.
- Responsible for all aspects of proposal preparation and submission.
- Responsible for writing and submitting grant reports to donors for previously funded projects.
- Coordinate and communicate on a weekly basis with the Senior Director, CFR-AHE, regarding the grant applications submitted and carry an annual fundraising goal.
- Adhere to the UC Foundation’s policies and processes of prospect management to ensure coordination with all units and programs of the Academic Health Enterprise.
- Maintain quality donor files, including timely submission of contact reports in the Foundation database.
- Ensure grants are in full compliance with applicable legal and financial requirements.
- Use available resources to compile individual foundation prospect profiles upon request.
- Compile bi-weekly RFP list from announcements of funders, foundations and corporations or other sources and distribute through appropriate channels to faculty and staff of the Academic Health Enterprise.
- Other duties, as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree with 1-2 years of experience, preferably in a medical or healthcare fundraising setting.
- Excellent writing and editing skills.
- Record of successful gift solicitation and closure, preferably with demonstrated success with grant writing.
- Understanding of basic scientific principles or capacity to learn such concepts.
- Ability to effectively build and sustain good collaborative relationships with donors, colleagues, volunteers, and other constituencies in a professional manner.
- Willingness to travel and attend evening and weekend activities as needed. Valid driver’s license required for travel.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills, including setting priorities and meeting deadlines, managing details accurately, and following through in a timely manner.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, e-mail and web-related activities, and database management.
- A commitment to and passion for the role of development in advancing the mission of the University of Cincinnati and UC Health.
WHAT WE OFFER
The anticipated starting salary range for the Grant Writer role is $55,000 to $65,000 annually. When determining final offer amount the UC Foundation considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, external market data, as well as, market and business considerations when making compensation decisions.
At the UC Foundation, we understand the importance of providing both a desirable work environment as well as benefits that provide our employee’s peace of mind and work/life balance. We offer a total rewards package inclusive of performance based bonus, as well as, competitive health and wellness benefits, tuition remission, retirement with employer match, paid parental leave, and paid vacation, sick time and holidays, including calendar year-end closing.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position is considered to have sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. This position also requires:
- Finger use
- Talking
- Hearing
- Repetitive motion of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, this position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work).
PRE-HIRE REQUIREMENTS
The UC Foundation seeks talented, collaborative and mission-focused individuals to join our advancement team in driving philanthropic support for the University of Cincinnati and UC Health. All offers of full-time employment are contingent upon passing a criminal background check and drug test. Positions requiring a degree are also contingent upon education verification.
Education
Required: Bachelors or better
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
At the University of Cincinnati Foundation, we commit ourselves to providing a place where everyone belongs. We care deeply about those in our community, while also taking care to nurture new relationships. We have the courage to dream big, drive excellence and uphold integrity in our work.
STRUCTURE
The Grant Writer, Academic Health Enterprise is an exempt (salaried) position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation (UCF) and reports to the Senior Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations – Academic Health Enterprise.
FOCUS
The Grant Writer, Academic Health Enterprise, is responsible for the identification, solicitation, and stewardship of corporations and foundations that are major gift prospects for the University of Cincinnati Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Allied Health Sciences, as well the UC Health clinical enterprise. The Grant Writer provides strategic planning for a portfolio of regional and national charitable grant-makers with award capacities of at least $25K, and drive toward a goal of increasing gifts in the $100K to $250K+ range.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
- Identify and research potential grant resources to support the priorities and needs of the Academic Health Enterprise (AHE).
- Build and manage a personal portfolio of 50-60 major gift prospects.
- Communicate with the staff of foundations in their portfolio to keep them informed about the University of Cincinnati and its programs.
- Write and submit in a timely manner, funding proposals, letters of intent, cover letters and marketing cases for support.
- Provide proposal editing and feedback to faculty and others as needed.
- Responsible for all aspects of proposal preparation and submission.
- Responsible for writing and submitting grant reports to donors for previously funded projects.
- Coordinate and communicate on a weekly basis with the Senior Director, CFR-AHE, regarding the grant applications submitted and carry an annual fundraising goal.
- Adhere to the UC Foundation’s policies and processes of prospect management to ensure coordination with all units and programs of the Academic Health Enterprise.
- Maintain quality donor files, including timely submission of contact reports in the Foundation database.
- Ensure grants are in full compliance with applicable legal and financial requirements.
- Use available resources to compile individual foundation prospect profiles upon request.
- Compile bi-weekly RFP list from announcements of funders, foundations and corporations or other sources and distribute through appropriate channels to faculty and staff of the Academic Health Enterprise.
- Other duties, as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree with 1-2 years of experience, preferably in a medical or healthcare fundraising setting.
- Excellent writing and editing skills.
- Record of successful gift solicitation and closure, preferably with demonstrated success with grant writing.
- Understanding of basic scientific principles or capacity to learn such concepts.
- Ability to effectively build and sustain good collaborative relationships with donors, colleagues, volunteers, and other constituencies in a professional manner.
- Willingness to travel and attend evening and weekend activities as needed. Valid driver’s license required for travel.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills, including setting priorities and meeting deadlines, managing details accurately, and following through in a timely manner.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, e-mail and web-related activities, and database management.
- A commitment to and passion for the role of development in advancing the mission of the University of Cincinnati and UC Health.
WHAT WE OFFER
The anticipated starting salary range for the Grant Writer role is $55,000 to $65,000 annually. When determining final offer amount the UC Foundation considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, external market data, as well as, market and business considerations when making compensation decisions.
At the UC Foundation, we understand the importance of providing both a desirable work environment as well as benefits that provide our employee’s peace of mind and work/life balance. We offer a total rewards package inclusive of performance based bonus, as well as, competitive health and wellness benefits, tuition remission, retirement with employer match, paid parental leave, and paid vacation, sick time and holidays, including calendar year-end closing.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position is considered to have sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. This position also requires:
- Finger use
- Talking
- Hearing
- Repetitive motion of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, this position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work).
PRE-HIRE REQUIREMENTS
The UC Foundation seeks talented, collaborative and mission-focused individuals to join our advancement team in driving philanthropic support for the University of Cincinnati and UC Health. All offers of full-time employment are contingent upon passing a criminal background check and drug test. Positions requiring a degree are also contingent upon education verification.
Education
Required: Bachelors or better
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Grant Writer
Frame your degree for specialty occupation
Grant writing roles must qualify as a specialty occupation under USCIS standards. A degree in English, communications, public policy, or nonprofit management maps more cleanly than a general liberal arts degree, so emphasize your field's direct connection to grant development in your CV.
Target nonprofits and research universities first
Nonprofits and universities are cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning they can file year-round without entering the lottery. For grant writers, this removes the single biggest timing risk in the H-1B process and lets offers move faster.
Search verified sponsors on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with confirmed LCA filing history for grant writer roles. That filing record shows which organizations have already committed to sponsoring this position, so you're not guessing about willingness to sponsor.
Check prevailing wage before you negotiate
Your employer must certify your salary meets the prevailing wage for your location and role before USCIS will approve an H-1B. Run the OFLC Wage Search for the grant writer occupation in your target city so you enter salary conversations already knowing the floor.
Build a portfolio that documents grant outcomes
Consular officers and USCIS adjudicators evaluating specialty occupation petitions respond to evidence of professional-level complexity. A portfolio showing funded grant amounts, funder relationships, and program outcomes strengthens the employer's case that your role requires a degreed specialist.
Align your offer letter with PERM requirements early
If you're on a path to a green card, your employer's PERM labor certification requires a job description that matches the actual duties you perform. Work with your employer to ensure the offer letter language is consistent from day one to avoid a mismatch during PERM filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a grant writer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but it's not automatic. USCIS requires the position to normally require a bachelor's degree in a specific field, not just any degree. Grant writer roles at research institutions or large nonprofits typically pass this test when the employer documents that the work requires specialized knowledge in a field like public policy, communications, or social sciences.
Which visa types are realistic for a grant writer seeking sponsorship?
H-1B is the most common path for grant writers, though it involves an annual lottery for most employers. TN visa status is available to Canadian and Mexican nationals if the role fits a qualifying USMCA profession. Grant writers at universities or nonprofits may benefit from cap-exempt H-1B filing, which avoids the lottery entirely and allows year-round applications to USCIS.
Do nonprofits actually sponsor grant writers for work visas?
Yes, and they're often better sponsors than for-profit employers for this role. Many nonprofits and universities qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, which means they can file petitions at any time without competing in the annual lottery. Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA sponsorship history so you can identify which organizations have done this before.
What degree does a grant writer need to qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
USCIS looks for a degree in a field directly related to the job duties. English, communications, nonprofit management, public administration, and social work are degrees that commonly support grant writer petitions. A general bachelor's without a clear connection to grant writing or fund development creates risk of an RFE, so your application materials should make that link explicit.
How does the H-1B lottery affect grant writer job searches?
For most private-sector employers, H-1B petitions enter an annual lottery with roughly 65,000 regular-cap slots plus 20,000 for advanced-degree holders. Selection rules have changed recently, so check USCIS for current mechanics. The practical implication for grant writers is that targeting cap-exempt employers, like universities and nonprofits, eliminates lottery uncertainty entirely.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Grant Writer jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.