About Independent Institute
We are a non-profit, non-partisan, public-policy research and educational organization that shapes ideas into profound and lasting impact through publications, conferences, and effective multi-media programs. Our mission is to boldly advance peaceful, prosperous, and free societies grounded in a commitment to human worth and dignity.
Applying independent thinking to issues that matter, we create transformational ideas for today’s most pressing social and economic challenges. By connecting these ideas with organizations and networks, we inspire action that can unleash an era of unparalleled human flourishing at home and around the globe.
The Role
The Grants and Research Coordinator provides the intelligence and resources that power Independent Institute’s fundraising work. Your role is to provide the Development team with timely, accurate, and compelling donor research and materials, including grant requests.
This is an ideal role for someone early in their career, particularly for those with a journalistic mindset who are curious, precise, and motivated by the pursuit of truth and clarity. You will work closely with the Director of Development to identify promising donor prospects and support the team with materials that deepen relationships and advance support.
What You Will Do
- Conduct donor prospect research, including giving patterns, wealth capacity, and philanthropic alignment
- Maintain and organize research lists that guide our outreach and relationship-building efforts
- Work with the Director of Development to prioritize and act on high-potential donor leads
- Write grant requests and manage a growing library of donor-facing materials, including program summaries, impact reports, and op-ed clippings
- Create new materials as needed to support meetings, proposals, and stewardship
- Input research into our database and collaborate with the Technology Director to ensure accessibility and usefulness across the team.
What You Can Expect
- A portfolio of diverse and meaningful projects that reflect the full scope of our mission
- Strong onboarding resources and examples of high-quality grant requests and donor-facing materials
- A seat at the table in cross-team collaboration with researchers, program staff, and senior leadership
- Clear direction from the Director of Development and room for professional growth
- A team culture that prizes excellence, curiosity, and principled independence
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree and 1 to 2 years of experience in a professional or research-oriented role
- Excellent research and analytical skills, especially in interpreting data and patterns in giving
- Clear and thoughtful writing skills, with the ability to distill complex ideas into compelling formats
- Familiarity with philanthropy, donor databases, or nonprofit development and experience in grant-writing is a plus
- Strong organizational habits and attention to detail
- Comfortable working independently and managing multiple projects simultaneously
- A belief in Independent Institute’s mission and a desire to play a behind-the-scenes but essential role in advancing it
Work Location, Expectations, and Compensation
This is a full-time role, based virtually anywhere in the United States or in our Oakland office. Remote employees should expect 1 to 2 visits per year to the Oakland HQ. Typical hours are 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Pacific, with variation depending on time zone.
The projected salary range for this role is $55,000-$65,000, contingent upon the specific skills and experience of the selected candidate.
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:
- Cover letter including:
- An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to Independent Institute’s mission and how you came to those beliefs
- Salary requirements
- Resume
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/
Questions can be directed to Savannah Rupp, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected].
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.
