GRANTS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Solutions for Change; Vista (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental

Paid vacation

Holidays & PTO

Job summary

Solutions for Change is seeking a Grants & Community Engagement Manager to grow philanthropic support through institutional giving, fundraising, and community engagement. You will own the full grant lifecycle—from prospect research to reporting and renewal—and support donor engagement, campaigns, events, and communications.

Role emphasizes a 60/40 split: 60% grants and institutional giving, 40% community engagement and fundraising, collaborating with senior leadership, Marketing, Finance, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, English, nonprofit management, public administration, or related field preferred; equivalent combination considered.
• 3+ years of experience in grant research, proposal development, grant management, and funder reporting; nonprofit experience preferred.
• Proven track record of producing successful, well-researched grant proposals and managing multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage institutional funding opportunities from prospect research to submission, reporting, stewardship, and renewal.
• Research and qualify prospective funders aligned with key priorities such as mobility, housing stability, human services, education, and youth outcomes.
• Write persuasive letters of inquiry, proposals, applications, case statements, and grant reports.
• Maintain a forward-looking grant pipeline, calendar, and renewal strategies.
• Coordinate budgets, program data, attachments, and documentation with Finance and other partners.

Skills

Grant research

Proposal writing

Donor relations

Communication

Event coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft 365

CRM/donor tracking systems

Job description

COMPENSATION:

$72,000-$75,000 DOE

BENEFITS:

Medical & dental; paid vacation, holidays & PTO

ROLE FOCUS:

Approximately 60% Grants & Institutional Giving / 40% Community Engagement & Fundraising

ABOUT SOLUTIONS FOR CHANGE

Solutions for Change is a nonprofit committed to solving family homelessness - one family, one community at a time. We fight The Churn of poverty, homelessness, dependency, and instability by addressing root causes and equipping families to build stable, independent futures.

Our integrated model brings together Solutions Academy, Solutions Enterprise, and Solutions Institute. Solutions Academy is a structured 700-day transformation process that develops work readiness, career pathways, leadership, financial capability, family management, personal growth, and accountability.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Grants & Community Engagement Manager grows philanthropic support through institutional giving, fundraising, and community engagement. The role owns the full grant lifecycle - prospect research, proposals, reporting, stewardship, and renewal - while also supporting donor engagement, fundraising initiatives, community partnerships, events, and donor communications. The position is designed with an approximate 60/40 emphasis: 60% Grants & Institutional Giving and 40% Community Engagement & Fundraising.

Working across senior leadership, Community Engagement, Transformational Impact, Finance, and Marketing, the Manager connects funders, donors, and community partners to Solutions for Change's mission, outcomes, and stories of transformation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Grants & Institutional Giving - Approximately 60%

• Manage institutional funding opportunities from prospect research and cultivation through submission, award, reporting, stewardship, and renewal.
• Research and qualify prospective funders aligned with Solutions for Change priorities, including economic mobility, family homelessness and housing stability, human services, education and youth outcomes, and behavioral health.
• Write persuasive, customized letters of inquiry, proposals, applications, case statements, and grant reports that connect funder priorities to organizational outcomes.
• Maintain a forward-looking grant pipeline and master calendar, including cultivation plans, deadlines, reporting requirements, renewal strategies, and next steps.
• Coordinate proposal budgets, program data, attachments, and supporting documentation with Finance, Transformational Impact, and other internal partners.
• Maintain accurate grant records and prepare timely interim and final reports demonstrating results, stewardship, and compliance.
• Serve as a primary relationship manager for institutional funders and support leadership and program staff with funder meetings, site visits, and follow-up.
• Support donor cultivation and stewardship through follow-up, donor communications, impact updates, and other relationship-building activities.
• Contribute to fundraising appeals, campaigns, sponsorship opportunities, and donor-facing materials in collaboration with Community Engagement and Marketing.
• Assist with donor, funder, and community events, including tours, site visits, briefings, and other engagement opportunities.
• Help identify and cultivate corporate, civic, and community partnership opportunities that can advance fundraising and organizational visibility.
• Support senior leadership with donor and partner preparation, meeting materials, follow-up, and stewardship; maintain accurate donor and funder information in organizational tracking systems.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in communications, English, journalism, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• 3+ years of experience in grant research, proposal development, grant management, and funder reporting; nonprofit experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated record of producing successful, well-researched grant proposals and managing multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Exceptional writing, editing, grammar, research, and proofreading skills, with the ability to make complex information clear and compelling.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with comfort interacting professionally with donors, funders, corporate partners, community members, and senior leaders.
• Experience supporting donor stewardship, fundraising campaigns, events, corporate partnerships, or community engagement is preferred.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and dependable; proficient with Microsoft 365. Experience with donor, CRM, or grant-tracking systems is a plus.

WORK SCHEDULE & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position based in Vista, California, generally scheduled Monday through Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Compensation is $72,000-$75,000 depending on experience. Solutions for Change offers medical and dental insurance, paid vacation, holidays, and paid time off.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Solutions for Change is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, performance, and organizational needs, consistent with applicable law.