Grants Manager (RCF)

Rose Community Foundation; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

403(b) retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Matching gifts

Job summary

Rose Community Foundation seeks a Grants Manager in Denver to oversee unrestricted, initiative and donor-directed grantmaking totaling about $25 million annually. The role focuses on implementing new grant processes, ensuring compliance, and delivering high-quality, equitable support to the region.

Collaboration with programs, data, and operations teams is essential. The ideal candidate has 5-7 years in grants management, strong data analysis skills, and a commitment to DEI in both internal and

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of professional experience with demonstrated grants management experience.
• Knowledge of diverse grantmaking processes, tools and tactics.
• Ability to synthesize, analyze, and visualize data.
• Experience guiding groups through complex projects and change.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Proficiency with MS Office, CRM and grants management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and customer service.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple work streams under deadlines.
• Comfort with learning new concepts and systems quickly.
• Commitment to DEI values in internal and external work.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an evaluation framework aligned with the five-year strategic plan.
• Recommend grant process improvements to enhance efficiency and transparency.
• Manage ongoing grants administration for various grant programs and donor funds.
• Develop and oversee terms for grant contracts and payment schedules.
• Ensure compliance with IRS regulations and internal policies; maintain electronic grant files.
• Maintain and update the grants system, forms, and security permissions.
• Support data integrity for Foundation-wide grantmaking initiatives.
• Prepare docket materials for boards and committees.
• Provide customer service and technical support to grant seekers.
• Design and prepare grant reports for internal and external audiences.

Skills

Grants management

Data analysis

Project management

CRM systems

Communication skills

Team collaboration

DEI awareness

Process improvement

Training colleagues

Tools

Foundant GLS

Community Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

As Rose Community Foundation prepares to implement a new strategic plan, we are seeking a Grants Manager at a pivotal and exciting moment of organizational evolution.

Since its founding in 1995, Rose Community Foundation and its funds have granted more than $300 million to nonprofit organizations and initiatives, primarily through programmatic grants in the seven-county Greater Denver area. The Grants Manager manages grantmaking administration for the Foundation’s unrestricted, initiative and donor-directed grantmaking, which totals approximately $25 million annually.

Historically, the Foundation has focused its grantmaking in the areas of aging, child and family development, education, health and Jewish life. While we remain committed to funding across a broad and holistic range of issues facing the Greater Denver region and will continue a specific commitment to funding in our local Jewish community, the Grants Manager will work closely with the programs and philanthropic services teams, the Director of Data and Operations, and other staff to implement and operationalize new processes and systems in service of grantmaking strategies advancing equity and justice, inclusion and community engagement, and the growth of resources for regional good.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ATTRIBUTES

The ideal candidate will be systems-minded and process-oriented, while also understanding the impact and importance of this work for the communities we serve. A successful candidate will take pride in developing and maintaining grant processes, procedures, policies, and practices that are efficient, accurate, effective, equitable, inclusive, transparent, and responsive.

A team-player, the Grants Manager will be collaborative, open, and creative in solving problems. They will have strong interpersonal and project management skills, as well as experience contributing to and supporting team members through change. Sound judgement and comfort advocating for best practice solutions are key.

The Grants Manager will thrive in a learning environment, enjoying the exploration of new concepts and methods. With a strong technology skill set, they will take pride in quickly and wholly mastering systems. They will also be flexible and comfortable with the uncertainty that is inherent in organizational evolution.

Self-awareness, empathy, humility, and humor are key. A successful candidate will find personal alignment with the Foundation’s values and culture and contribute to a positive work environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• In partnership with the programs team and the Director of Data and Operations:
  • Develop and implement an evaluation framework that supports and advances the goals outlined in the Foundation’s five-year strategic plan.
  • Recommend grant process improvements and changes to grantmaking policy to enhance efficiency, transparency, compliance, and the grant-seeker experience.
  • Implement grantee feedback loops to continuously improve grantmaking processes.
• Manage all ongoing grants administration for grants from the Foundation’s programs, initiatives and special projects, donor-advised funds, giving circles and other collaborative philanthropic vehicles, and matching gift program, including proposal intake through the Foundation’s online grants portal, supporting the grant review process, grant contract preparation, tracking grant amendments, and grantee reporting.
• Develop and oversee terms and conditions for grant contracts.
• Maintain grant payment schedules and monitor grant balances, generating payments in accordance with grant contract stipulations and contingencies.
• Seek out and ensure grantmaking best practices are incorporated.
• Ensure compliance with IRS regulations, audit requirements, and internal policies and procedures, including creating and maintaining electronic grant files.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of the Foundation’s grants system, maintaining and updating online grant forms, implementing necessary updates, training staff, and maintaining security and permissions.
• Partner with the Director of Data and Operations to support Foundation-wide grantmaking data-integrity.
• Partner with the Director of Data and Operations to support the development of grants related processes for fiscally sponsored projects and initiatives.
• Prepare docket materials for board and committee meetings.
• Communicate essential information during the grants process across departments and to external audiences.
• Provide customer service and technical support to grant seekers and assist them regarding Foundation grant priorities and process.
• Design and prepare grant reports for various internal and external audiences.

SUPERVISOR RELATIONSHIP

The Grants Manager reports to the Director of Data and Operations and is a member of the Finance and Administration department. The Grants Manager does not have administrative support or direct reports.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Required:

• 5-7 years of professional experience with demonstrated experience in grants management at a grantmaking organization.
• Knowledge of best practices within a diverse range of grantmaking processes, approaches, tools, and tactics.
• Ability to effectively synthesize, analyze, and visualize data.
• Experience contributing to and supporting groups through multifaceted projects and change efforts.
• Ability to work well both collaboratively and independently.
• Highly skilled with technology, particularly Microsoft Office Suite, CRM and grants management systems.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and commitment to exceptional customer service. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly in meetings, in correspondence, and through formal work products. Ability to effectively train colleagues on grants management systems and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, follow through, and track multiple work streams under deadlines.
• Grasps new concepts and masters new skills, systems, and processes quickly.
• Proven track record of working effectively across different settings, communities and issues – with people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and cultures.
• An understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles and practices and a commitment to incorporating them into internal and external work.
• Commitment to the Foundation’s core values and culture.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of program and mission-related investments (PRIs, MRIs) and loans.
• Experience with varied evaluation methods and metrics.
• Experience structuring and managing grants to organizations for policy and advocacy efforts, including direct lobbying.
• Experience applying a specific equity and inclusion lens to the development and management of grants processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of the Greater Denver community and nonprofit landscape.
• Direct experience working for a (non-grantmaking) nonprofit organization.
• Experience with Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager and/or Community Suite.

Rose Community Foundation believes in the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunities and prohibits the unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

SALARY & BENEFITS

This full-time, exempt position’s starting salary range is $60,000 to $70,000, commensurate with background, experience, and sector benchmarks. Rose Community Foundation offers a competitive benefits package including employer-supported health, dental, vision, and life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan (including an annual employee contribution after one year of employment), generous paid time off including holidays, professional development opportunities and a matching gift program.