Grants Manager

About the Grants Manager Role

This is a cycle hire for 2024, with the possibility of extension. The target start date is early-mid June. We expect the overall term of engagement to be between early-mid June 2024 and January 31, 2025.

The Grants Manager will work closely with the Development Director and Executive Director to secure grant funding for our PAC/527, 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) programs. They will oversee all phases of the grant cycle, including prospecting and evaluating funding opportunities; preparing letters of inquiry, grant applications, and progress reports; and building relationships with current and prospective grantmakers. This position requires strong project management, research, and writing skills. The Grants Manager is part of the Development Department and reports to the Development Director.

Responsibilities

Proposal and Report Preparation (30%)

• Manage all aspects of the grant application and reporting processes from start to finish, including collecting content, drafting copy, incorporating edits, organizing supplementary materials, tracking deadlines, ensuring timely submission, and monitoring status.
• Coordinate with staff across programs to develop robust narrative updates and pertinent metrics that fully capture project outcomes for grant reports.
• Work with senior team members to assemble budget information for grant applications and grant reports.
• Develop expertise in our strategy, programs, and impact to support the development of strong application materials and grant reporting.
• Maintain a library of frequently requested materials, such as IRS documents, Board of Directors information, and staff biographies.

Prospect Research and Strategy Development (30%)

• Lead and conduct ongoing grant research, using a range of tactics and tools, to locate and vet potential funding sources.
• Prepare tailored letters of inquiry to initiate contact with grantmakers, express interest in funding opportunities, and evaluate alignment.
• Support the development and implementation of strategies for identifying, attracting, and approaching new grantmakers.
• Work with the Development Director to produce and maintain fundraising collateral, such as overview documents, email templates, and website copy.
• Coordinate with colleagues to optimize giving by supporters who utilize a range of giving vehicles (e.g., family foundations, individual gifts) to contribute across entities.

Development Department Support (20%)

• Duties as assigned, including but not limited to major donor research and stewardship; program administration; and event support.
• Maintain and apply an updated knowledge of charitable giving trends and fundraising best practices.

Systems Design and Administration (10%)

• Develop effective systems for organizing information, tracking workflow, sharing status updates, providing recommendations, and obtaining approval.
• Maintain an internal calendar of relevant dates (e.g., application periods, progress report deadlines) and digital files for housing essential documents.
• Evaluate and recommend grantseeking tools and information sources.
• Log information about grants received in our database and other internal trackers.  

Relationship Management and Stewardship (10%)

• Cultivate lasting relationships with current and prospective grantmakers by maintaining an open line of communication for sharing outcomes, priorities, and opportunities.
• Draft grantmaker correspondence, like periodic program updates, on behalf of senior team members.
• Participate in calls with grantmakers and strategic partners, as needed.
• Prepare detailed agendas, background information, and talking points for senior team members ahead of grantmaker calls and meetings.
• Recommend interpersonal pathways to connecting with funders by mapping out our professional network.
• Facilitate the grant agreement process by coordinating with team members to review and execute all materials.
• Create and send gift receipts and personalized grantmaker acknowledgements.

Specific Job Requirements:

• 3+ years of experience in grantseeking, grant writing, or grants management.
• Demonstrated analytical and persuasive writing skills. including the ability to clearly convey complex information.
• Strong administrative skills as well as the ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Intermediate to expert skills in Google Workspace.
• Superb attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and respond to deadlines without sacrificing quality.
• Creativity and ability to implement innovative ideas to improve process management.
• Demonstrated interest in the mission, vision and values of Sister District.

Bonus Points: 

• Experience with grant research and grant management software, including Instrumentl and Candid.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Start Date

• Early-mid June 2024

Position and Pay

This is a full-time, remote position that can be fulfilled from anywhere in the United States. Pay will commensurate with experience, in the range of $65,000 to $75,000 per year, prorated for a partial year. Our generous benefits package includes:

• Employer sponsored health insurance plan with 100% premium paid by Sister District
• 401(k) plan with discretionary end of year bonus
• Cell phone and Internet reimbursement up to $100 per month
• Home office reimbursement
• Professional development stipend
• Generous family leave
• Opportunity for spot and year-end bonuses
• Unlimited vacation
• Summer Half Day Fridays
• Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts
• 25 organization-wide holidays including the week of Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Years Day

The Organization

Since launching in the wake of the 2016 elections, Sister District has grown to nearly 70,000 volunteers across the country. We have endorsed candidates in 177 races across 18 states, 115 of whom won and have gone on to fight for progressive issues in their state legislatures. We have raised more than $5.9 million in small-dollar donations directly for our candidates. Our organizing efforts have reached out to more than 4.1 million voters through phones, texts, postcards, and door knocks. We also partner deeply with our campaigns to provide professional training, advice, and guidance to help candidates and staff build winning campaigns.   

Sister District not only helps to win urgent elections each year, but also builds Democratic infrastructure for the long term. We do this by training newly elected legislators and former candidates, conducting academic-quality civic research, supporting community-based organizations, and more.

We are proud to be an organization founded and led by women, including women of color.

Our generous benefits package includes:

• Employer sponsored health insurance plan with 100% premium paid by Sister District
• 401(k) plan with discretionary end of year bonus
• Cell phone and Internet reimbursement up to $100 per month
• Home office reimbursement
• Professional development stipend
• Generous family leave
• Opportunity for spot and year-end bonuses
• Unlimited vacation
• Summer Half Day Fridays
• Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts
• 25 organization-wide holidays including the week of Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Years Day