Grants Manager

FIDELITY FOUNDATIONS; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Competitive benefits

Performance bonus

Job summary

The Fidelity Foundations in Boston, MA seeks a Grants Manager to oversee grant-related transactions and manage the grants management system. You will partner with program, legal, and finance teams to ensure compliance and strengthen processes.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Grants Management, you will champion system improvements, provide staff trainings, and support capacity-building initiatives while maintaining strong grantee relationships and data integrity.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years of experience in the non-profit or philanthropy sectors.
• Strong relationship-building and management skills to support grantmaking.
• Ability to deliver against goals and drive process improvements.
• Ability to move work forward independently and think big picture.
• Experience with database systems to advance process workflows; Salesforce preferred.
• Effective and diplomatic communication with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and manage the grant portfolio and engage program staff throughout the lifecycle.
• Act as a power user of the Grants Management System and co-lead system changes.
• Manage grantee relations and resolve issues with program and legal staff.
• Support capacity-building efforts and trainings to promote best practices in grantmaking.

Skills

Relationship building

Stakeholder management

Project management

Salesforce

Database systems

Communication

Strategic thinking

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

The Fidelity Foundations are a group of private foundations that fund a diverse set of programs on a national scale. The Fidelity Foundations are committed to advancing the long-term vibrancy of communities through capacity-building investments in arts and culture, education, conservation, health, and economic opportunity-focused non-profits.

Fidelity Foundations’ grantmaking seeks to build the capacity of leaders and organizations tackling important societal challenges and promoting thriving communities. We are dedicated to strengthening organizations by fostering robust partnerships and supporting projects that enhance our grantees’ long-term success. Each program centers on the ecosystems’ needs and identifies where our capacity-building support can have the greatest impact. We have a deep history of funding organizations in Boston and New England for over 50 years and also strengthening communities in specific regions nationwide.

Today, the Foundations are at an important and exciting stage in our organizational history, having grown and evolved in recent years. As our strategies and organization continue to develop, we are seeking individuals with skills and expertise that support the advancement and execution of a long-term portfolio of significant and strategic philanthropic investments.

As a capacity-building funder, the Foundations seek to make catalytic, lasting investments in non-profits at strategic inflection points and support projects that substantially enhance their impact and sustainability. Our values of excellence, integrity, respect, collaboration, and a deep sense of humility guide our quiet grantmaking.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Fidelity Foundations’ grants management team partners with Foundations’ staff and grantees, providing expertise, guidance, and support throughout the entire lifecycle of a grant. During this pivotal stage of organizational growth, the grants management team is leading an effort to further leverage its grants management system while partnering with the legal, strategy, and program teams to refresh grantmaking practices to support the evolution of the Foundations’ grantmaking activity.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Grants Management, the Grants Manager will be responsible for managing the flow of grant-related transactions and will serve as a project manager, problem solver, and analyst. A champion of systems improvement, the Grants Manager will be a power user of the grants management system, and proactively offer process recommendations, co-lead change management efforts and support the on-going provision of training to staff and other stakeholders. As a primary point of contact on grant compliance, they will ensure that the Foundations adhere to legal requirements as well as internal policies governing its grantmaking. Through their work they will contribute to growth and continuous improvement in the organization’s systems and processes and support the creation of a center of excellence in grants and knowledge management.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Monitor and Manage Grant Portfolio (50%)

• Serve as a primary point of contact for grants management, engaging with program staff throughout the grant life cycle.
• Monitor active grants in partnership with program and evaluation staff by reviewing grantee reports and milestone deliverables.
• Ensure timely release of grantee payments by verifying wire details, coordinating with program and finance staff, and other required actions.
• Execute grant agreements in collaboration with program staff, legal, and finance.

Power user and promoter of the Grants Management System (20%)

• Review grant recommendations, sectoral dashboards, board packages and related records in the Grants Management System, ensuring accuracy, quality, and consistency.
• Co-lead change management efforts of the Grants Management System in close collaboration with Salesforce specialists, program staff and other teams.

Grantee Relationship Management (20%)

• Serve as focal point to manage grantee relations as a primary point of contact for grants management, engaging with program staff throughout the grant life cycle.
• Partner with program and legal staff on resolving potential issues and challenges of grants or grantee circumstances.

Capacity Building (10%)

• Support the development of a center of excellence in grant-making drawing from best practices in the field; co-lead trainings to Foundations’ staff on these best practices.
• To ensure adoption and usage of the Grants Management System, lead trainings and other resources to support team learning.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

It is critically important that the Grants Manager be a highly collaborative and collegial team player who listens and communicates well. To be considered, candidates will possess a majority of the following professional and personal attributes and competencies:

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum of six years of relevant professional experience within the non-profit or philanthropy sectors.
• Exceptional relationship-building and management skills, with the ability to create meaningful long-term relationships to support the Foundations’ grant-making.
• A proven record of delivering against goals; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting and executing priorities and guiding process and system improvements.
• Ability to move work forward independently and think big picture about the broader needs of an organization or team.
• Demonstrated passion for the use of database systems to advance process workflows and interest in inspiring the same in others; experience with Salesforce preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior grants management experience strongly preferred; familiarity with exempt-organization rules and regulations a plus.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage workload, prioritize, manage simultaneous tasks, meet deadlines and maintain a sense of humor within a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Inherent curiosity, an ability to listen, and a dedication to learning.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating a positive culture within a complex, evolving organization.
• Flexibility, creativity and drive, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
• Sound judgment, integrity, humility, and respect for confidentiality.

This position will be based in Boston, MA on a hybrid schedule with a weekly requirement to work in-person with colleagues 3 days/week; successful candidates will need to undergo a comprehensive background check.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The base salary range for this position is $120,000 - $215,000 per year. Placement in the range will vary based on a variety of factors such as job responsibilities & scope, special skills, education, special certifications, candidate’s relevant experience, and other factors.

Base salary is only part of the total compensation package. Employees are eligible for an annual discretionary performance bonus in addition to their base pay. The Fidelity Foundations offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, an annual performance-based bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package.

The Fidelity Foundations are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive professional environment. We encourage applications from candidates with a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.