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Fundraising & Business Development

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Fundraising Grant Writing Stakeholder Research

Published Date

Posted February 10, 2026

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Community Development

Grant Funding Roadmap & Prospect Research (2–6 Week Project)

Project

Remote

Skillful Steps

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* 1 person has applied to this opportunity

As we prepare for Q1 and Q2 2026 grant submissions, we are seeking a skilled volunteer to help us build a Grant Funding Roadmap that positions our nonprofit for restricted and unrestricted funding.

We need expert support with:

Prospect Research

Identifying 20–30 aligned funders (DAFs, foundations, corporate philanthropy, logistics/infrastructure funders)

Prioritizing funders based on alignment, deadlines, and competitiveness

Recommending unrestricted and restricted funding opportunities

Grant Strategy Development

Creating a 2026 Grants Calendar with deadlines and submission windows

Advising on early-stage relationship-building with funders

Reviewing current mission language + suggesting funder-aligned positioning

Readiness & Materials Review

Providing feedback on our case for support, impact language, and program framing

Outlining what we must prepare for compliance, metrics, and reporting

Identifying gaps that must be fixed before applying

Deliverables (Flexible Based on Volunteer Expertise):

- A short written Grant Roadmap

- A list of funders with alignment notes

- A 2026 Grants Calendar

- Recommendations for strengthening our applications and funder positioning

Skillful Steps is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2024 to expand access to CDL and multi-trade career pathways for justice-involved and low-income adults. Our training arm (Showoff E&D ELDT Training School) completed 300+ CDL completions in 2024 with an estimated 85% job placement rate. Skillful Steps now serves as the nonprofit arm responsible for expanding access through grant funding, donor partnerships, and wraparound support.

Through working with our organization on this project, the volunteer will support our mission by helping us build the financial and grant readiness needed to expand CDL and multi-trade career pathways for justice-involved and low-income adults in Houston. Their guidance will directly strengthen our ability to secure restricted and unrestricted funding, meet compliance requirements, and scale programs that remove barriers to employment. This project will help Skillful Steps enter 2026 prepared to pursue grants, engage funders, and provide more individuals with training access, transportation support, and long-term career mobility.

My team and I have prepared for this project by gathering all current organizational materials, including our 2024–2025 program impact data, mission statements, workforce model description, and existing funder-facing language. We have a clear understanding of the funding we need to secure in 2026 and can provide the volunteer with QuickBooks access (view only), our current chart of accounts, budget notes, and program structure. We are ready to communicate consistently, supply all documents promptly, and implement the recommendations provided to strengthen our fundraising and financial readiness.

Skillful Steps

Location

HUMBLE, TX

Website

https://skillfulsteps.org/

Member Since

Completed Taproot Plus Partnerships

Organization Mission

Skillful Steps is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) workforce mobility nonprofit formed in 2024 to expand access to Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and infrastructure-aligned career pathways for justice-involved adults, low-income jobseekers, and aging foster youth. Our mission is to reduce unemployment, strengthen economic mobility, and remove barriers to training through a tech-enabled education and support model. Skillful Steps operates in partnership with our founding team’s established CDL training provider, Showoff E&D ELDT Training School, which delivered more than 300 CDL completions in 2024 with an estimated 85% job placement rate. Skillful Steps now serves as the nonprofit arm that provides funding access, wraparound services, transportation logistics, and multi-trade career preparation for individuals who cannot afford training on their own. Our current focus includes: Providing funded access to CDL, logistics, diesel tech, and welding pathways Delivering job-readiness training and one-on-one career mentoring Coordinating transportation and support services to remove barriers to participation Building partnerships with workforce boards, employers, nonprofits, and community funders Implementing transparent reporting systems to support donor confidence and accountability We are actively preparing for 2026 opportunities by strengthening our financial systems, expanding impact measurement, and aligning our programs with Houston’s growing infrastructure and transportation workforce needs.

Program Focus Areas

Community Building

Employment & Job Training

Low-Income Communities

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