Grants Manager

Placer Community Foundation; Auburn (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Placer Community Foundation seeks a Grants Manager to advance its mission by overseeing grants and scholarships, building partnerships with nonprofits, and assessing community needs in Placer County and beyond.

The role collaborates with the CEO and stakeholders to optimize resources, manage portfolios, and report outcomes to donors, ensuring transparency and impact in the foundation’s philanthropic efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum three years of work relevant experience.
• Experience with foundations or nonprofit community work is highly beneficial.
• Outstanding interpersonal and diplomatic skills; ability to build trust and rapport with a broad range of people.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and nurture collaborative partnerships with nonprofits, agencies, and communities.
• Manage PCF portfolio: process discretionary grants, due diligence, site visits, and reporting to donors.
• Coordinate PCF scholarship program: marketing, panel recruitment, payments, and donor reporting.
• Prepare evaluation reports and dashboards on grant history and impact for donors and funders.
• Support Donor Development and publicize grants and community programs.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Diplomatic skills

Written & verbal communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Grant management software

CRM systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Grants Manager plays a pivotal role in advancing the Foundation's mission by managing and optimizing its grantmaking and scholarship programs. This individual will be key in fostering partnerships with nonprofits, assessing community needs, and ensuring effective allocation of the Foundation's resources. The Grants Manager operates within a dynamic and collaborative environment, working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and other key stakeholders to drive philanthropic efforts that address critical issues within Placer County and beyond.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and Nurture Collaborative Partnerships

Engage with nonprofits, charitable projects, and public agencies to understand and assess their program needs while communicating the Foundation’s grantmaking policies and procedures.

Maintain a comprehensive knowledge base regarding Placer County’s nonprofit sector, identifying community needs, how they evolve over time, and which agencies are best equipped to address them.

Coordinate the leadership and programming of Placer Collaborative Network (PCN), comprised of countywide health and human service nonprofits, health systems, government departments, and faith communities. Identify future philanthropic opportunities for the Foundation through collaborative projects.

Support the Center for Nonprofit Leadership and assist with the Foundation’s Nonprofit Initiative with regard to its planning and programming.

Help navigate ongoing technical assistance for potential and current grantees

Manage PCF Portfolio of Grantmaking & Scholarship Programs

Process all discretionary grants with a high level of quality and efficiency: review and analyze grant applications; enter grant applications into the database of record (CSuite); run due diligence. Conduct nonprofit site visits and manage grant award and denial communications.

Provide constructive and timely feedback to applicants; track grant reports and send grant report reminders to grantees; monitor grantee performance through periodic site visits and/or telephone contact; and share results of grantmaking with donors and discretionary fund committees as required.

Share funding opportunities with the Foundation’s donors and fundholders and coordinate with Donor Development staff.

Manage scholarship process annually. This includes marketing scholarship opportunities to local high schools and community colleges, managing scholarship review panel recruitment and activity, communicating with past awardees and maintaining payment schedules, and reporting back to donors about recipients.

Evaluation and Reporting

Develop and maintain coding for special grant initiatives or programs in database to design a “dashboard” of grant history and impact.

Coordinate, prepare for, and lead Grants Committee meetings, including special committees established for county funds, scholarship funds, and other discretionary funds, as needed.

Present grant proposals, findings, and funding recommendations to the Grants Committee and Board of Directors, as needed.

Prepare written evaluation reports on grantmaking projects or initiatives and provide these reports to donors and funders as needed.

Development and Maintenance of Information

Maintain close contact with key personnel in community agencies and county departments.

Review community planning and other relevant research documents.

Attend meetings and/or workshops related to assigned areas of responsibility.

Prepare research reports and conduct surveys on issues relevant to the Foundation.

Community Relations

Be familiar with the Foundation's asset development plan and other major programs.

Collaborate with Foundation staff to publicize the Foundation's grants and community service programs appropriately.

Support for the Foundation’s Mission

Work as a key member of the Foundation staff to assist others toward common goals.

Collaborate with other staff to assist as needed with their respective responsibilities and ensure a smooth and timely flow of support services within the Foundation.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Required Skills and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience.

Minimum three years of work relevant experience.

Experience with foundations or nonprofit community work is highly beneficial

Preferred background interests: community and civic engagement and public policy

Experience with banking, trust companies, or private client services is a plus.

Outstanding interpersonal and diplomatic skills; ability to build trust and rapport with a broad range of people. Successful track record in building trusted relationships.

Maturity of judgment, high degree of integrity and discretion, high degree of self-motivation. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages and build rapport with diverse stakeholders.

Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire donors, volunteers, and colleagues. A genuine passion for community development and philanthropy is essential.

Strong project management skills to effectively plan, coordinate and execute initiatives that support the Foundation’s mission and community impact goals.

High ethical standards and integrity in handling sensitive donor and nonprofit information and financial transactions. Commitment to transparency and accountability.

Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and emerging opportunities in the nonprofit sector and grantmaking landscape. A proactive approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

A collaborative team player who can work effectively with colleagues, volunteers, and external partners. Ability to lead and inspire a team of community development professionals.

A strong focus on achieving measurable outcomes and meeting goals.

Proficiency in grant and scholarship software, CRM systems, and Microsoft Office Suite. Familiarity with social media and digital fundraising platforms is an asset.

Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Ability to work well in an entrepreneurial setting, taking on multiple tasks and adapting as needs and priorities of the Foundation change; ability to spot emerging issues in the community.

Capacity to learn new systems; working knowledge of financial terminology a plus.

Enjoy challenges and projects that require creative approaches and reflective thinking.