Grants Manager

Sacbar; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Safer Foundation is seeking a Grants Manager to support the Fund Development Department, focusing on proposal development, budgeting, reporting and external communications. The role collaborates with program and accounting staff to ensure accurate submissions and data-driven improvements.

Responsibilities include managing grant proposals, donor outreach, and KPI tracking while reporting to the AVP Development and Communications. Bachelor's degree required with fundraising experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in fund development, including technical writing, grant applications, and submissions.
• Knowledge of fundraising information sources and foundations engagement.

Responsibilities

• Support grant proposals, budgets, letters of inquiry, and reports.
• Coordinate with program and accounting staff to prepare scope of work and budgets.
• Lead external research and data to improve submissions and programs.
• Prepare communications materials and manage donor communications.

Skills

Grant writing

Proposal writing

Communications

Fundraising

Data analysis

Budget development

Education

Bachelor's Degree in English, Communications, Social Work or related field

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, including case management, educational instruction and advocacy, we focus on preparing individuals for the world of work by helping them find and keep productive and meaningful employment

General Summary:

The Grants Manager is responsible for supporting the operations of the Fund Development Department to execute all functions and meet all agency goals. This role will focus on proposal development and submission, support events, manage prospecting, support department and agency data and analysis activities such as KPIs, and manage required online systems. The Grants Manager will draft proposals and reports, submit applications, develop communications, and spearhead projects as assigned. Reports directly to AVP Development and Communications but supports all members of the Fund Development Team and internal and external customers as needed.

Performance Results Description

The Position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values.

Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity and Evidence Based Innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Interface and Service

• Participate in grant writing including preparation of letters of inquiry, proposals, research, budgets, and reports, including editing proposals for errors and inconsistencies and proposal submissions.
• Serve as liaison between the agency and funders as assigned.
• Collaborate with program and accounting staff to prepare scope of work, budget and other documents for submission. Support work with individual donors, internal givers, agencies, foundations, corporations and partners as needed.
• Spearhead projects as assigned by the AVP Development and Communications, particularly those that involve external research and data to improve quality of submissions and programs.

Stakeholder Outreach and Recruitment

• Plan in-person or virtual site visits for potential funders; Schedule appointments for Leadership Team members, Program Managers and Development staff, as needed, with potential funders.
• Participate in the development of communications materials including general agency information and ancillary materials.
• Monitor Instrumentl, websites, bulletins, and other prospecting tools to identify new funding opportunities; Lead the implementation of foundation and corporation prospecting and analysis
• Research new opportunities based on input of priorities, short and long-term agency plans as needed.
• Keep up to date on current fundraising programs, practices and procedures used in the nonprofit sector.

Tracking, Document, and Reporting

• Support Salesforce NPSP integration and use by Development; Support related systems and reporting such as KPIs and other department tracking and documentation
• Manage existing grants and maintain excellent historical records via Salesforce NPSP
• Receive and record contributions and prepare letters of acknowledgement for tax reporting purposes.

Supervision

• Supervise vendors, consultants, and staff as assigned.
• Seek out areas for task streamlining and improvement to funding capture.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience in a Fund Development Department, including technical writing, grant applications, and submissions.
• Knowledge of Foundation and Corporate giving, Communications, and Special Events.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in English, Communications, Social Work or related field with one or more years of experience in Fundraising/Fund Development.
• Knowledge of fundraising information sources.
• Experience with proposal writing as the lead.
• Knowledge of basic fundraising techniques and strategies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills with all Microsoft Office programs and Salesforce.
• Knowledge and familiarity with research techniques for fundraising prospect research.
• Experience with budget development.
• Knowledge of the core elements of program development, contracts and agreements.

Licenses and or Certifications:

None required