Director of Grants

Healthy Community Initiative; Northfield (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pay: $85,000 - $90,000 annually

IRA Contribution: Simple IRA

Voluntary Benefits Access via TriNet

Monthly Benefit Stipend: $400/month

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Professional Development support

Make a Difference in Rice County

Diversity and inclusion culture

Job summary

Healthy Community Initiative is seeking an experienced Government and Foundation Grant Writer & Manager in Minnesota to lead grant development, manage a diverse funding portfolio, and coordinate with leadership and partners. The role targets securing substantial annual government and foundation support and ensuring rigorous evidence-based proposals.

You will oversee the full lifecycle of applications, maintain records in Salesforce, and ensure compliance with regulations while coordinating with

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success securing federal, state, and local government and foundation grant funding.
• Proven ability to navigate complex government RFPs and application systems.
• Strong skills in developing budgets and work plans.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple large proposals at once.
• Experience managing post-award compliance and reporting including coordination of grant reporting calendars, deliverables, budgets, and renewal requirements.
• Experience with multi-agency or consortium grant applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead HCI’s grant development strategy and implementation, with responsibility for securing $3.4 million in annual government and foundation funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Senior Program Director to align funding strategies.
• Proactively research and identify grant opportunities.
• Lead the full lifecycle of grant applications: eligibility research, strategy development, timeline creation, data gathering, letters of support, budget design, work plan, forms, narrative writing, and timely submission.
• Coordinate with the Executive Director, Senior Program Director, Data Manager, program staff and community partners to ensure applications reflect strong evidence, outcomes, and community need.
• Build and maintain relationships with key staff at partner organizations to strengthen applications and coalitions.
• Maintain accurate grant records, deadlines, reporting requirements, funder communications, and application and award documentation in Salesforce and other HCI systems.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including reporting and audit requirements.
• Supervise and collaborate with contract grant writers as needed.

Skills

Grant writing

Fundraising strategy

Project management

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Budget development

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

About Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) is a dynamic nonprofit organization based in Rice County, MN. HCI co-creates innovative community partnerships and provides direct services to create healthy communities where all children, youth and families can thrive.

HCI partners with the community to identify needs, build coalitions, secure funding, and implement projects to impact urgent social needs. HCI’s unique model has gained national recognition.

HCI is committed to social justice, equitable opportunity, diverse representation, and creating a healthy, inclusive organizational culture.

About the Role HCI is seeking an experienced Government and Foundation Grant Writer & Manager. This role focuses on large-scale, complex public funding opportunities that drive significant community impact. This role requires:

• proven success navigating federal, state, and local government and foundation grant processes
• collaboration with program leaders and community partners.
• translating community needs into compelling cases for support
• securing and managing a diverse portfolio of government and foundation grants
• supervising and coordinating with contract grant writers.

Responsibilities

Lead HCI’s grant development strategy and implementation, with responsibility for securing $3.4 million in annual government and foundation funding opportunities.

Collaborate with the Executive Director and Senior Program Director to align funding strategies.

Proactively research and identify grant opportunities.

Lead the full lifecycle of grant applications: eligibility research, strategy development, timeline creation, data gathering, letters of support, budget design, work plan, forms, narrative writing, and timely submission.

Coordinate with the Executive Director, Senior Program Director, Data Manager, program staff and community partners to ensure applications reflect strong evidence, outcomes, and community need.

Build and maintain relationships with key staff at partner organizations to strengthen applications and coalitions.

Maintain accurate grant records, deadlines, reporting requirements, funder communications, and application and award documentation in Salesforce and other HCI systems.

Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including reporting and audit requirements.

Supervise and collaborate with contract grant writers as needed.

Required Qualities

• Demonstrated success securing federal, state, and local government and foundation grant funding.
• Proven ability to navigate complex government RFPs and application systems.
• Strong skills in developing budgets and work plans.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple large proposals at once.
• Experience managing post-award compliance and reporting including coordination of grant reporting calendars, deliverables, budgets, and renewal requirements.
• Experience with multi-agency or consortium grant applications.

Preferred Qualities:

• Knowledge of youth development, education, or community development.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations and/or community partnerships.
• Experience supervising or coordinating contract grant writers.
• Experience with Salesforce or other grant/CRM management systems.

Benefits & Perks of Working at HCI

At HCI, we believe that our employees are our most valuable asset—and we’re committed to supporting their well‑being, growth, and impact.

Here’s what we offer:

• Pay: $85,000 - $90,000 annually
• IRA Contribution: HCI matches employee contributions to a Simple IRA retirement plan.
• Voluntary Benefits Access: Through our partner HR service, TriNet, employees have access to optional benefits including life, disability, legal, accident, and critical illness insurance.
• Monthly Benefit Stipend: $400/month for employees working 30+ hours/week, which can be applied toward health or other insurance premiums
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free access to confidential mental health, financial wellness, and other personal support for all employees.
• Professional Development: We support continuous learning and will help you grow your skills to better serve our community.
• Make a Difference: Contribute meaningfully to your community and make a direct impact on the lives of youth in Rice County.
• Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) supports, values, and empowers youth in Rice County. We believe our staff is our most valuable resource. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative team that reflects the communities we serve.