Grant Program Manager (SJF)

The Stryker Johnston Foundation; Kalamazoo (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k plan

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Stryker Johnston Foundation in Kalamazoo, MI seeks a full-time Grant Program Manager to implement its grantmaking program and manage a diverse portfolio. The role reports to the Executive Director and guides due diligence, grant summaries, and agreements while building strong, trust-based relationships with grant partners.

Responsibilities include developing priorities, researching issues, guiding applicants, monitoring grants, and engaging with community partners to maximize impact and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in relevant field.
• Five+ years in philanthropic sector or related field.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience managing grant programs or similar portfolios.
• Ability to conduct research and summarize complex information.

Responsibilities

• Assist Executive Director in establishing grantmaking priorities and evaluation criteria.
• Lead due diligence including reviewing proposals, site visits, and financial analyses.
• Prepare grant summaries and recommendations; notify applicants of decisions.
• Maintain grant records in the grants management system.
• Monitor grants and cultivate trust-based relationships with partners.
• Assist with capacity building of grant partners and cross-organizational collaboration.
• Contribute to internal program updates and Board reports.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Research & analysis

Grantmaking

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Stryker Johnston Foundation (the foundation) is a private family foundation based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We partner with organizations and initiatives working to strengthen and build thriving, equitable communities. We envision a world where everyone has the opportunity to live a safe, healthy, productive and fulfilling life. Currently, we invest in and collaborate with organizations and initiatives working towards the elimination of intergenerational poverty in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. We strive to implement a trust-based approach to grantmaking. With a focus on place-based investing, we seek to build durable relationships with our grant partners. Please visit our website at www.strykerjohnstonfoundation.org to learn more about our funding priorities and grantmaking program.

About the Role

We seek to hire a full-time Grant Program Manager to join our small, nimble team. The Grant Program Manager will work closely with the Executive Director to implement the foundation’s grant making program and manage its grant portfolio. In addition to managing our grant program, this team member will also provide support and thought leadership regarding the foundation’s other investment portfolios in order to create greater positive impact.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities Include

Grant Program Development and Implementation:

• Assist the Executive Director and Board of Directors in establishing grantmaking priorities and evaluation criteria and implementing grant program(s).
• Research issues, organizations, and practices to inform and strengthen the foundation’s grant program.
• Respond to inquiries and requests from individuals and organizations.
• Provide guidance to grantseekers on the grant proposal process as well as preparing and submitting proposals.
• Lead the due diligence process for grant program(s), which includes:
  • Reviewing and evaluating proposals.
  • Conducting research, site visits, communications, and financial analyses related to proposals.
  • Preparing grant summaries and recommendations.
  • Notifying applicants of funding decisions and drafting grant agreements.
• Maintain grant records in the foundation’s grants management system.
• Work with Executive Director to review and assess grant program(s) on an annual basis and explore ways to streamline grantmaking processes and procedures.
• Monitor grants and maintain communication and trust-based relationships with grant partners.
• Work with grant partners to identify capacity building needs and support. Facilitate connections across organizations and other community resources to cultivate learning and connection.
• Provide feedback to and receive feedback from grant partners.

Community Outreach and Engagement

• Attend relevant community meetings and events.
• Build and maintain positive professional relationships with local community partners, funders, the nonprofit sector, and others relevant to the foundation’s mission.
• Seek opportunities to collaborate with other individuals, groups, and organizations to advance the foundation’s mission.
• Develop and pursue opportunities to amplify the work of our grant partners and other community partners.

Public Policy

• Monitor public policy and advocacy issues relevant to the foundation’s mission.
• Engage with grant partners and other community partners as needed around relevant public policy issues.

Internal Learning and Engagement

• Stay informed of issues and events relevant to the foundation’s work and share insights with the foundation team.
• Raise awareness of needs and issues within the community and the foundation.
• Develop and present internal program updates and reports to the Board of Directors.
• Actively participate in foundation meetings and committees.
• Work collaboratively with team members to achieve organizational goals.
• Contribute content to the foundation’s external communications, as needed.

We Are Looking For Someone Who Is

• Well informed of community trends and issues relevant to the foundation’s mission.
• A self-starter and is comfortable working independently with limited supervision.
• A detail-oriented project manager, confident managing complex project workflows and timelines and consistently meets deadlines.
• An excellent communicator, networker, and relationship builder.
• A critical, strategic thinker who can translate “big picture” ideas into actionable steps.
• Skilled at synthesizing complex information into easily consumed material.
• Dedicated to continuous reflection and learning and maintains a sense of humor and adaptability.
• Committed to working with integrity in all aspects of their work, building and maintaining trust with the team and partners, and respects confidentiality.
• Passionate about trust-based grantmaking and transformational philanthropy.

What You Will Need (Knowledge/Skills/Experience)

• Alignment with the mission and vision of the foundation. Commitment to the Foundation’s grantmaking guiding principles .
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of training and relevant work experience in program coordination, development, and/or management.
• At least five years of progressively more responsible experience in the philanthropic sector or related field (such as nonprofit, social enterprise/business, consulting, impact investing, etc.).
• Strong understanding of nonprofit operations.
• Previous grantmaking experience a plus, but not required.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong computer and software skills (particularly with MS Office)
• Experience representing organizations in community settings.
• Ability to conduct research, perform evaluations, and summarize complex information.
• Proven track record of collaborating with diverse groups of people and professionals.
• Good judgment, attention to detail, strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple competing tasks and deadlines and to work independently and in teams.

Working Conditions

• Professional office environment with some opportunities for remote work.
• Typical work hours between 8:00 am-5:00 pm ET, with occasional evening and weekend work.
• Fluctuating workload due to various deadlines and cyclical processes.
• Extensive keyboard and computer monitor use.
• Exposure to sensitive and confidential information.
• Local travel in personal or foundation vehicle to attend meetings. Occasional regional or national travel required.

Compensation

• Competitive salary (commensurate with qualifications and experience) and benefits package, including a 401k plan, health and dental insurance, paid time off, and annual professional development opportunities.
• Salary range: $70,000-85,000

We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage applicants with diverse identities, backgrounds, and life experiences to apply.

Applications will be accepted until May 3, 2019.