Grants Manager (part-time)

About Us

Working Assumptions is a Berkeley-based, cultural non-profit that explores the everyday give-and-take of family and care through visual storytelling, encouraging reflection and dialogue about the nature of family itself. We work specifically with photography and photo-based art in offering educational programs for high school and college students; supporting the practices of artists and writers; and producing digital and in-person projects. We collaborate with individuals and organizations who are inspired by the contradictions and constancy of family, a term we encourage our audiences to define for themselves.

Working Assumptions is building on our first decade by refreshing the brand, growing our staff, and increasing our reach. This represents an opportunity for the Grants Manager to participate in shaping the next iteration of the organization.

Job Description

Reporting to the President, the Grants Manager (24 hours / week) bears tactical and operational responsibility for Working Assumptions’ grant and residency programs, from the online application process through awarding and evaluation. WA programs currently include:

• Unrestricted grants for individuals for visual storytelling around family, caregiving, and interdependence
• Creative awards for our teaching artists to pursue their own art practices.
• Peleh residencies, a unique opportunity for artists to be accompanied by their families while focusing on their practice in a Berkeley home and studio.

Note that Working Assumptions may choose to develop other grants, residencies, or awards in the future, and the Grants Manager will play a key role in that process.

Working Assumptions is a small, close-knit organization (~8 employees) that sees its grant and residency programs as fundamental to advancing the organizational mission and building community. Accordingly, we aspire to conduct these programs with the same care and humanity evidenced in the family-focused work we support.

About You

You have direct experience working in grants management and/or interacting directly with grantees in creative fields. You are a self-directed, organized teammate with a warm, engaging personality. You enjoy problem-solving and managing projects. You are committed to creating a culture of belonging that embraces and welcomes all. You thrive in a flat, DIY setting where team members take accountability for responsibilities big and small.

Key Duties

• Ensure the overall quality, sustainability, and efficiency of WA’s granting processes and systems, making recommendations for improvement as warranted
• Review grant applications and/or coordinate reviews by colleagues and outside panelists
• Serve as primary contact for, and provide exceptional customer service to, individuals in the various stages of soliciting and receiving support: application, awarding, announcement, and residency
• Liaison with awarding partners, property managers, etc.
• Generate grant award letters and residency agreements, ensuring compliance with legal requirements, IRS regulations, and internal policies
• Coordinate annual grantmaking and residency calendar with Working Assumptions staff and external partners
• Schedule, plan, and execute in-person and remote meetings, including but not limited to:
  • Applicant review meetings
  • Panelist training sessions
  • Coordination meetings with partners
  • Onboarding sessions for grantees and residents
  • Salons and presentations by awardees
• Track grant expenses against operating budgets
• Create grantee- and resident-related content for WA digital channels, including interviewing awardees
• Optimize the functionality and utility of Good Grants, WA’s application and review platform
• Archive relevant materials within WA systems (award letters, contracts, promotional materials, etc.)
• Coordinate evaluation of programs as needed
• Assume other duties as assigned

Your Skills and Attributes

• Minimum 3-5 years of relevant grants management experience in the philanthropic or nonprofit sector
• Previous experience with online grants management platforms such as Good Grants
• Minimum bachelor’s degree in fine arts (photography preferred), humanities, or related field
• Proficiency in Google Suite and Dropbox
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills
• Rigorous attention to detail
• Strong administrative and project management skills
• Welcoming to all identities and belief systems
• East Bay resident with a car preferred, as visits and errands related to the artist residency are required

Additional Information

This is a part-time, hourly, hybrid position in which the employee is able to work remotely up to 40% of the position’s scheduled hours, with supervisor approval. The remaining 60% is on site at our Berkeley offices. Reasonable flexibility in hours is also possible, especially knowing that workload may fluctuate during busy periods.

As a part-time position, the Grants Manager role is eligible for the following benefits: vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and 403b with employer match. Not included: Health, vision, and dental insurance.

While performing this job, the employee will be required to do close work with a computer monitor and keyboard, travel via car or mass transit to off-site locations, and occasionally be asked to lift up to 30 lbs. Employee also must be able to communicate verbally and in writing.

Working Assumptions is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, creed, ability, marital status, sexual orientation or political affiliation.

Compensation

$50,000–$60,000/year ($40–$48/hour x 1248 hrs/yr)

Apply Now

Send a cover letter and résumé to careers@workingassumptions.org with the subject line “Grants Manager Application.”