Grants Manager

Paraquad, Inc.; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Paraquad, Inc. is seeking a Grants Manager to lead the full grant lifecycle, from identifying opportunities to reporting outcomes. You will work with program staff, finance, and compliance to craft compelling requests and ensure funding alignment with our mission.

The role requires strong writing, research, and project management skills, plus experience with grant databases and CRM systems. This is a full-time, in-office position based in Missouri, with occasional evenings or weekends for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in English, Communications, Marketing, Business or Journalism.
• Experience in nonprofit fundraising or grants management.
• 5+ years writing, editing, and managing grant proposals preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop grant strategy and identify funders aligned with our priorities.
• Craft and submit proposals, reports, and outcomes with supporting data.
• Collaborate on budgets with Finance and Program staff while ensuring guidelines.
• Maintain grant records, calendars, and reporting schedules.
• Foster relationships with funders and coordinate site visits when needed.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Research and analytical

Project management

Microsoft Office/CRM/Adobe/Canva

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Nonprofit fundraising/grants experience

5+ years writing/editing grant proposals

Tools

Grant Databases

Grant Station

Foundation Directory

Raiser's Edge

Job description

Basic Function

The Grants Manager is responsible for the entirety of the grant proposal process, which includes identifying new funding opportunities, assessing current funding partners for alignment with our priorities, crafting and submitting proposals, reporting outcomes, and ensuring compliance with partnering organizations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Grant Strategy and Funding Development

• Confirm that we continue to be an appropriate target for current funders through discussions with program staff, funders, and examination of recent 990 and website listings to track changes in the funding landscape.
• Seek out new funding possibilities using available grant databases and work with program staff to determine gaps in funding that could be addressed.
• Maintain relationships with past funders whose funding focus has changed and reassess on a consistent basis to determine if it is feasible to reapply.
• Identify potential funding organizations that do not accept unsolicited proposals whose funding mission aligns with ours (or who have not yet funded us) to explore possibilities for developing a funding relationship.
• Contribute to long‑term grant funding sustainability through strategic prospecting and relationship management.

Proposal Development, Submission, and Reporting

• Conduct research and synthesize relevant information to support justification for specific funding requests.
• Collaborate with Program staff to gather information, create logic models, develop outcomes, timelines, and evaluation tools, identify funding needs, and address challenges and successes to facilitate crafting a compelling request or report. This can include obtaining photographs of, and/or interviews with, participants (with signed release) and participating in events or activities as needed for the request or report.
• Collaborate with Finance and Program staff to develop an appropriate budget for the request or to report financial outcomes. The budgets are crafted in accordance with the board‑approved FY budget and confirmed with program leadership and finance.
• Collaborate with Compliance to ensure that outcomes are accurate and consistent with requirements for accreditation and funding agencies.
• Ensure that all supporting documentation is correct and that all funding guidelines have been addressed.
• Submit all proposals and reports accurately, on time, and in accordance with funder guidelines.

Grants Management

• Maintain accurate grant records, submission calendars, and reporting schedules.
• Maintain accurate records of declines and awards and ensure that any contracts are signed and approved by the CEO, and copies are shared with Finance and Compliance.
• Maintain updated spreadsheets of outcomes and due dates for each award and share with the relevant Program staff as new proposals are funded.
• Work with Finance to ensure compliance for any awards that require matching funds, or which pay costs for multiple personnel from multiple departments. This includes keeping track of salary recovery and percent effort as new applications are considered.
• Maintain a library of grant submissions, relevant funder correspondence, and grant support documents.
• Provide weekly updates to supervisor on grants status, challenges, and support needed.

Stewardship

• Craft and send thank you letters to funders upon receipt of each award.
• Coordinate site visits and other meetings or discussions with funders as needed.
• Respond to all funder inquiries as promptly as possible. Submit annual updates if not formally requested.
• In collaboration with Advancement, Program staff, and CEO, cultivate positive relationships with past, present, and future funders.

Advancement and Organizational Activities

• Assist with other fundraising initiatives and events as requested, including appeals, galas, and special events.
• Assist with organizational initiatives and events as requested.

Skills and Abilities Required

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong research, analytical, and project management skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Canva, CRM software, Adobe, Grant Databases (Grant Station, Foundation Directory, Raisers Edge, etc.)

Education and Training

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as English, Communications, Marketing, Business Management, or Journalism.
• Experience in nonprofit fundraising, grants management, or a related field.
• Preferred: 5+ years of experience writing, editing, and managing grant proposals or similar funding requests.

Working Conditions

• Full‑time in office position.
• Regular computer and database usage.
• Some evenings and weekends are required for special events and grant deadlines.

Paraquad is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to an individual's sex, race, color, religion, age, disability status, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation. We are dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Our employees proudly reflect the diversity and ideas of the communities we serve.

Accommodation: If you are unable to use our online application process due to a disability, please contact Barb Cant at 314‑289‑4200 or [e-mail] with the nature of your accommodation request.