Grants Manager 2

Socket.dev; Fitchburg (WI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County seeks a Grant Manager 2 to advance grant revenue goals by researching opportunities, crafting compelling proposals, and coordinating with program leaders to align funding with priorities.

Based in Dane County, this exempt full-time role requires strong writing, organizational, and project-management skills, with travel within the region as needed to manage multi-year funding and reporting obligations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with minimum two years in fund development or minimum three years grant writing experience.
• Track record of receiving grants from funders of various sizes and deadlines.
• Experience working in deadline-driven environments and ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify grant opportunities to support revenue goals.
• Lead development, writing, and submission of grant proposals to federal, state, and private agencies.
• Manage grant lifecycle including reporting, tracking, and renewals.
• Develop annual grants calendar and coordinate with departments for resource needs.
• Build donor relationships and coordinate with finance for grant budgets.

Skills

Grant writing

Grant research

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

2+ years grant development experience

Tools

CRM systems

Google Suite

MS Office Suite

Job description

Position Title

Grant Manager 2

Department

Grants & Compliance

Primary Locations

McKenzie Regional Workforce Center

Reports To

Senior Director of Grants & Compliance

Position Level

Individual Contributor

Direct Service Position

No

Exemption Status

Exempt (Salaried)

Salary Range: 45k-52k

Date Last Reviewed

4/3/2026

Boys and Girls Club of Dane County is currently looking for a Grants Manager! Must be flexible, have experience writing/submitting grants applications and keeping track of grant cycle process!

Position Summary and Overall Job description

The Grant Manager 2 is responsible for supporting the grant revenue goals of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County, working under the direction of the Senior director of Grants and Compliance. The Grants Manager 2 will proactively conduct thorough research to identify grant opportunities, write persuasive grant proposals to secure annual and multiyear funding, and collaborate with department heads to understand financial and programming needs to ensure sufficient resources are in place to meet annual objectives. The individual will also support relationship stewardship efforts in coordination with the resource development teams.

This role will serve as a central connector across departments, aligning funding strategies with programmatic priorities, tracking multi-year funding pipelines, and ensuring grant deliverables are met on time and in full.

The ideal candidate will bring excellent organizational and writing skills, familiarity with project management principles, and proven experience as a Grant Writer or in a similar role. Flexibility and adaptability are key, as this role may take on additional responsibilities in support of both organizations’ goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grant Sourcing and Writing: 55 %

• Research and identify new government, corporate, foundation, and private funding prospects to achieve the organizational grant revenue goals including BGCDC’s Club services, AVID/TOPS education initiatives, skilled trades classes, community initiatives
• Lead the development, writing, and submission of grant proposals to federal, state, and private funding agencies
• Generate high-quality proposals, narratives, applications, and supporting documents that comply with the guidelines and expectations of each funding agency and BGCDC
• Place particular emphasis on securing funding for key initiatives as defined by the organization’s strategic priorities and in communication with the leadership team
• Collaborate with relevant staff at both organizations to research, draft, edit and submit letters of inquiry, concept papers, and grant proposals.

Administrative: 40%

• Manage the lifecycle of awarded grant, ensuring timely reporting, accurate tracking, and successful pre-, mid-, and post-cycle reviews to support renewals or follow-up opportunities.
• Develop and maintain an up-to-date, comprehensive annual grants calendar throughout the fiscal year, with a special focus on reoccurring grants.
• Manage grant records within both organizations’ CRM systems and according to organizational procedures.
• Monitor grant awards, deadlines, and required deliverables, proactively updating internal stakeholders.
• Meet regularly with department leaders to assess current and future funding needs in collaboration with the Senior Director of Grants and Compliance and CEO.
• Document and train staff in grants procedures.
• Coordinate and track the progress of submitted proposals.
• Partner with finance teams to prepare accurate grant budgets.
• Lead meetings with grant writers, ensuring that applications are submitted in accordance with grant calendars.
• Spearhead grant processes by developing tools and resources such as data collection templates and outcome measurement guides.

Donor Relations: 5%

• Support funder cultivation and stewardship efforts, fostering strong relationships on behalf BGCDC as assigned by the Senior Director of Grants and Compliance and CEO.
• Contact prospective funders, including through cold outreach, and bring in development teams when appropriate.
• Prepare grantor acknowledgments and thank-you materials as needed.
• Collaborate with BGCDC’s Senior Director of Grants and Compliance to align donor relationship strategies.
• Work with marketing and communications staff to ensure proper funder recognition in compliance with grant agreements.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Foster a collaborative and positive work environment, promoting teamwork and professional development.
• Must be able to travel throughout Dane County. A valid WI driver’s license and insurance are required if using personal vehicle.

Budget Responsibilities:

Support effort to achieve approximately $4 million in combined annual grant revenue to advance the missions and programs of BGCDC. Responsible for ensuring fiscal stewardship and compliance with grant-funded programs.

RELATIONSHIPS

Internal and external relationships are essential to the role.

Internal:

Maintain close, regular communication with program and administrative staff at BGCDC, as well as with the Director of Grants and Compliance. Collaborate across departments to facilitate program alignment and compliance.

External:

Build and maintain relationships with funders, community partners, vendors, and collaborators that support grant-related efforts for both organizations. Represent BGCDC in a professional, mission-aligned manner in all external interactions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Communication Skills: Informing, Listening, Presenting, Writing

Personal Initiative Skills: Contributing to a Positive Work Environment, Organizational Awareness, Personal Development, Proactivity, Professional Development, Striving For Excellence

Planning Skills: Action Planning and Organizing, Business Planning, Monitoring, Project Management, Recruitment, Strategic Planning, Time Management

Decision-Making Skills: Analyzing, Fact Finding, Innovating, Judgment, Problem Solving, Systemic Thinking

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Notable Conditions or physical exertion are considered essential duties

Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating instructions, and policy manuals. The ability to clearly and concisely exchange/receive ideas, facts, and technical information with others. Physical abilities required include bending at the waist and reaching above the shoulder to maintain files, speaking and hearing to exchange information, and dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. The employee must be able to sit for extended periods. The employee will have extended periods of standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, jumping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 20 pounds.

Disclaimer

This position description is an overview of the duties and responsibilities assigned to the role identified above. It is not intended to cover every work assignment the position may have but rather to cover those work assignments that are predominant, permanent, and recurring. Duties and responsibilities may change, and additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned without notice.

Requirements

Education and Experience

A bachelor’s degree is preferred, with a minimum of two years in fund development, preferably in a non-profit environment, or a minimum of three years of grant writing experience.

Track record of receiving grants from funders of $5,000 - $100,000 and multi-year gifts.

Experience working in deadline-driven environments.

Able to work well in a team environment, handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines.

Able to monitor and meet income goals.

Excellent knowledge of office management software (Google Suite, MS Office Suite).

Required Hours

Typical working hours, including required holidays and travel.

This position is classified as non-exempt and full-time regular, requiring availability during operational hours (typically 9 am-5:00 pm) to fulfill the essential duties of the role, which will include working on holidays, weekends, and evenings as necessary to support events. The position requires travel to off-site Clubs, meetings, and events for BGCDC.