Grants Manager

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is seeking a skilled and experienced Grants Manager to oversee and optimize our grantmaking process. This role is critical to ensuring our grantmaking aligns with our mission, values, and strategic goals. Collaborating closely with staff across the Foundation, the Grants Manager will manage all stages of the grant lifecycle, from initial inquiry and application through award, payment, reporting, and closeout. This includes maintaining data integrity, leveraging technology to support efficient grantmaking, and ensuring transparency and accessibility of grant information for both internal and external stakeholders. The Grants Manager will also lead a small team of staff focused on administering the Foundation’s grantmaking programs and processes. This full-time position requires a background in grants management within the philanthropic sector and management experience. The ideal candidate is an analytical and curious problem-solver with a passion for data analysis, strong communication skills, and the ability to effectively interpret, present, and train others on grant-related data.

Responsibilities:

Grantmaking Process Oversight

• Work with program and finance staff to ensure accurate, timely, efficient and transparent process for the entire grant life cycle. This entails pre-award management, tracking payments, reviewing or producing relevant reports, monitoring and post-award management.
• Oversee and act as the Foundation’s expert for all aspects of the grantmaking process including all grant administration policies, systems and documentation to ensure compliance, incorporate best practices and ensure excellent controls.
• Work across departments to build consistency in grantmaking processes serving as the point person starting with grant application entry to receipt of the final report.
• Develop and maintain a basic grantmaking manual and communicate appropriately to relevant staff.
• Develop and provide training, tools and resources for staff on grants administration, donor rules and regulations, and Foundation policies and procedures.
• Help to centralize the grantmaking function of the Foundation by coordinating the needs and flows of a wide variety of grantmaking programs through regular monitoring, ensuring all grants are made in a timely manner, but with all due diligence required.
• Review and approve grant award packets prior to notification of the award.
• Assist the Program staff in maintaining relationships with and responding to inquiries from potential and existing grantees.
• Assist with the preparation of the Program Committee and program-related Board meeting materials that pertain to comprehensive lists of grant approvals and declines.
• Assist with the archiving of Foundation records as it pertains to grants.

Oversight and Management

• Manage a small team of staff focused on administering grantmaking programs and processes.
• Provide leadership as the Grants Management team transitions from Fluxx to Salesforce and work closely with the Foundation’s IT, Finance, and Program departments in the process.

Grantmaking Analysis

• Assist with the production of high-quality reports for internal and external requests for both high level and detailed data about the grantmaking programs of the Foundation.
• Review grants reports for accuracy and compliance prior to submission.
• Work across departments to implement standard coding structure to increase the Foundation’s visibility, contribute to its positive image and further its reputation through the development of high-quality information.
• Conduct quarterly reconciliation of grants data with Program and Finance departments.

Systems Implementation

• Work in partnership with Foundation IT staff to oversee the implementation of Salesforce for the functions of the Program department.
• Work to make sure new and existing Program staff is adequately trained on grantmaking systems, and is apprised and retrained as updates to the systems occur.
• Address applicant inquiries when difficulties are encountered with online applications or when other technical concerns arise.

Qualifications: 

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in grants management, philanthropy, or nonprofit administration.
• Experience working with foundations or grantmaking organizations is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with grants management software (Fluxx and/or Salesforce preferred).
• Familiarity with IRS regulations and compliance requirements related to grantmaking and nonprofit funding.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to think critically and strategically.
• Detail-oriented with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive information.
• Highly organized self-starter with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across teams and departments.