Application Guide

How to Apply for Grant Writer

at Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM)

🏢 About Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM)

FAMM stands out as a pioneering nonprofit that has been at the forefront of criminal justice reform for over 30 years, focusing on humanizing sentencing policies and advocating for fair treatment. Working here means joining a passionate team dedicated to ending mass incarceration and mandatory minimums, with a strong emphasis on storytelling and policy impact.

About This Role

As a Grant Writer, you will be the bridge between FAMM's mission and the funding needed to drive change, researching and securing grants from foundations and corporations. Your work will directly support campaigns, policy advocacy, and communications efforts that challenge unjust sentencing laws and promote second chances.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start by checking grant deadlines and updating the calendar, then researching new funding opportunities from foundations. You could spend the morning drafting a letter of inquiry for a potential grant, followed by a meeting with the development team to discuss budget needs. In the afternoon, you might work on a progress report for an existing grant and update records in EveryAction, ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) Is Looking For

  • A seasoned grant writer with 5+ years of experience and a proven track record of securing grants of varying sizes, preferably in criminal justice reform or related social justice fields.
  • Someone who can translate complex legal and policy issues into compelling, human-centered narratives that resonate with funders.
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented, with experience managing grant compliance, tracking deadlines, and using donor databases like EveryAction.
  • A collaborative team player who can work closely with development, finance, and program staff to create accurate budgets and reports.

📝 Tips for Applying to Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM)

1

Highlight specific grants you've secured in criminal justice reform or similar advocacy areas, including dollar amounts and funder names.

2

Demonstrate familiarity with FAMM's work by referencing recent campaigns or cases (e.g., First Step Act, compassionate release) in your cover letter or writing samples.

3

Showcase your ability to write persuasive narratives by including a writing sample that tells a compelling story about an individual impacted by mandatory minimums.

4

Emphasize your experience with grant compliance and database management, especially if you've used EveryAction or similar CRMs.

5

Tailor your resume to highlight research skills and ability to identify new funding opportunities from foundations and corporations.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express genuine passion for criminal justice reform and alignment with FAMM's mission of ending mandatory minimums.", "Provide specific examples of grants you've written that advanced social justice causes, including the impact achieved.", 'Highlight your ability to manage the full grant lifecycle, from research to reporting, and your comfort with data and compliance.', 'Mention your familiarity with the current landscape of criminal justice funding and key foundations in the space.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read FAMM's latest annual report and recent blog posts to understand their current priorities and funding needs.
  • → Review their advocacy campaigns, such as those around the First Step Act or state-level sentencing reform.
  • → Identify key foundations that fund criminal justice reform (e.g., Arnold Ventures, MacArthur Foundation) and note any existing relationships.
  • → Look into FAMM's use of EveryAction to understand their donor management system and how you might integrate.
Visit Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM)'s Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach researching and identifying new grant opportunities for FAMM?
2 Can you walk us through a successful grant proposal you wrote and the strategy behind it?
3 How do you handle tight deadlines and multiple grant submissions simultaneously?
4 Describe your experience with grant compliance and reporting; how do you ensure accuracy?
5 Why are you passionate about criminal justice reform, and what do you know about FAMM's recent work?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention FAMM or criminal justice reform specifically.
  • Ignoring the requirement for 5+ years of experience or failing to provide writing samples that demonstrate narrative skill.
  • Overlooking the need for database experience; if you lack EveryAction, mention experience with similar tools and willingness to learn.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM)!

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