Grants Director

MISSION:

Accepts and implements the YWCA Mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

CUSTOMER IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Grants Director provides leadership, coordination and oversight of pre- and post- award grants and government contracts. They are responsible for identifying and understanding the programmatic needs and agency gaps to research, explore, and secure funding opportunities that align with the organization’s programs and strategic initiatives. This position reports to the Chief Development Officer and works closely with senior program staff, the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Executive Officer.

Requirements

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITES (may include, but not limited to):

Accountability: Facilitate grants management of executive leadership team to result in successful grant applications that meet strategic objectives and annual operating needs.

Priority Objectives:

1. Primary administrator of grants management system, currently Instrumentl.
2. Primary author of grant applications for corporate and community funding, which includes working with other staff to coordinate program and financial information in a deadline- driven environment.
3. Provide oversight and coordination of government grants, ensuring compliance with funding requirements, alignment with agency priorities, and effective collaboration between program, finance, and development teams. Facilitate communication with grant consultants, as needed, to support the development, submission, and reporting of government grant applications.
4. Develop budgets for community grants in consultation with executive leadership team as needed.
5. Work closely with program staff to ensure proposals include meaningful, specific and reportable outcomes that align with impact objectives.
6. Support Program staff with development of grant/funding strategies based on program needs and potential changes.
7. Provide supervision and project management support to volunteers and interns, when applicable.

Coordinate post-award compliance and stewardship to facilitate effective project implementation and positive relationships with funders.

Communicate award notification to Finance, Communication, and Program Lead(s), ensuring they receive details on the awarded budget, deadlines for budget adjustments, necessary program or service delivery modifications, compliance requirements, and reporting deadlines, including interim/final reports and monitoring visit schedules.

1. Monitor and stay current on regulations that impact program service delivery and financial accounting, providing updates to relevant staff as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance
2. Provide education to finance, development, and program staff to ensure that grant guidelines and requirements are understood and met.
3. Provide technical assistance to staff on external reporting systems, ensuring staff have appropriate access, permissions, and updated credentials to fulfill grant reporting obligations.
4. Oversee tracking and compliance for budget adjustments, program modifications, and report submissions. Responsible for informing senior leadership of any gaps in compliance or achievement of impact objectives.
5. Serve as liaison between internal and external groups to facilitate effective stewardship of funds, including coordinating and supporting programmatic and financial monitoring visits by preparing staff and necessary materials.
6. Maintain accurate grant records within agency tracking systems, including grant calendars, award status updates, and reporting schedules.
7. Generate agency reports on grants productivity to provide insights on funding trends, compliance status, and opportunities for process improvements.

Knowledge and understanding of revenue-to-expense mapping in the annual operating budget, modifications to mapping based on actual revenue, gaps in revenue and prioritization of filling those gaps.

Identify, research, and communicate viable grant prospects.

• Monitor appropriate list-servs and publications for Notice of Funding Availability, Request for Proposals, and other public announcements
• Stay abreast of current and emerging Federal/State/Local policy priorities
• Ensure comprehensive knowledge of the organization’s long term strategic priorities and annual operating needs; evaluate potential funding opportunities in context.
• Recommend and discuss opportunities with executive leadership team as needed for decision-making on whether to apply.

In collaboration with program teams, develop annual grant budgets across the agency based on knowledge of existing grants and upcoming opportunities.

Other Duties (include, but also as assigned):

Attendance at agency and/or department staff meetings as needed. Positively represent agency and program participant needs to funders, employers, and the community-at-large. Ensure maximum economy in the use of agency resources. Other related duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelors’ degree in Human Services, Business, Social Sciences, Public Administration, a related field, or equivalent experience.

Experience: Established record of involvement with pre- and post-award processes in grants and contracts. Knowledge of nonprofit/social service experience is desirable. Experience with project management tools will be helpful. Experience in community relations, development, and outcomes measurement.

Skills: Demonstrated organization and project management skills. Ability to manage/prioritize multiple projects. Must have proficient computer skills and experience with Microsoft programs and relational databases. General accounting skills with emphasis on budget creation, monitoring and report writing are strongly desirable. Detail-oriented and strong verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of social media and contemporary platforms.

Essential Job Functions:

• Access to reliable transportation and willingness to travel to other sites
• Use of computer
• Reading
• Use of telephone
• Communicating effectively with diverse populations and levels of authority
• Consistent and timely attendance