Grants Manager

Position Overview

The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is a private nonprofit organization committed to raising funds to support the work of the Free Library of Philadelphia. With a mission to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity, the Free Library operates 54 locations throughout the Philadelphia region and serves as one of the most important cultural and educational institutions in the city.

The Grants Manager plays a pivotal role on the Institutional Advancement team, serving as the lead writer and project manager for foundation, government, and corporate proposals. This position is responsible for creating compelling funding requests, managing a portfolio of institutional funders, and working collaboratively across departments to align narrative, budget, and impact data. The Grants Manager also contributes to funder stewardship and supports the internal infrastructure that ensures high-quality submissions and compliance with grant requirements.

This role requires exceptional writing skills, a strategic mindset, and the ability to synthesize complex programmatic information into persuasive funding language. The Grants Manager is a key contributor to the Foundation’s ability to grow and sustain mission-critical funding.

Responsibilities

• Develop programmatic, unrestricted, and campaign proposals for institutional funders (foundation, government, and corporate), including budget collaboration and preparation of supporting documentation.
• Maintain and grow a portfolio of funders aligned with assigned program areas, tracking grant cycles, deadlines, and multi-year strategies to meet revenue goals.
• Steward existing funders by preparing impact reports, coordinating recognition, and ensuring deliverables are met in collaboration with colleagues and library staff.
• Serve as the lead liaison for program staff regarding restricted funding efforts, interpreting funder priorities and timelines, and guiding project alignment with grant strategies.
• Provide editorial review and quality control for all team proposals, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with organizational voice.
• Manage and maintain the department’s digital grants library, boilerplate materials, and internal process documentation.
• Identify and research new funding opportunities, aligning them with institutional priorities and capacity.
• Contribute to team meetings, planning efforts, and internal initiatives that support cross-functional collaboration and organizational readiness for grant opportunities.
• Promote a culture of philanthropy by attending events, supporting campaigns, and representing the mission and values of the Free Library Foundation.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 2-3 years of experience in grant writing, prospect research, and grants management.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex programmatic work into persuasive proposals.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Proven ability to manage deadlines, juggle multiple priorities, and work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Comfort working across departments with staff at various levels to gather and synthesize information.
• Familiarity with local and national philanthropic landscapes.
• Experience with government grant portals, foundation databases, and institutional CRM tools (Bloomerang preferred, but not required).
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Google Suite.
• Flexible, adaptable, and eager to contribute to a learning-focused, mission-driven environment.

Physical Capabilities

The physical requirements listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting/standing) for extended periods of time.
• Frequent use of a computer, including screen time, keyboarding, and repetitive hand/wrist motions.
• Ability to move about inside the office and occasionally off-site for meetings or events.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds (e.g., boxes of materials or event supplies).
• Communicate effectively in person, by phone, and in writing.

Equity and Inclusion

The Institutional Advancement team at the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is committed to building a workplace where all people feel safe, valued, and supported. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all identities and lived experiences, including people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, immigrants, and others from communities that have been historically excluded or marginalized.

We believe that diverse ways of thinking, communicating, and collaborating strengthen our work and our team. We are actively working to create an environment where neurodivergence is recognized and supported, queer and trans identities are affirmed, and staff feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Applicants who may need flexibility or accommodations at any point in the application or interview process are encouraged to reach out.