Grants Manager

Californians for Justice is a statewide, youth-powered organization fighting to improve the lives of people of color, immigrants, low-income families, LGBQiA2S+/TGNC youth, and other marginalized communities. Through organizing in schools and in their neighborhoods, youth who join Californians for Justice become leaders in their own communities. They deepen their knowledge on issues like systemic racism, gender and sexuality, and education inequity, and organize and activate their peers to take action.

CFJ is the only grassroots, youth-powered organization in California that organizes students to have a voice in both local and statewide education policy. Our campaign and policy reform goals include adequate and equitable school funding, increased access and success in K-12 and higher education, and creating Relationship Centered Schools - schools that invest in youth voice, in staff, and in creating space for youth and adults to build positive relationships with one another. CFJ currently has four regional offices in Fresno, Long Beach, San Jose, and Oakland, 35 full-time equivalent staff, and a budget of $4.5 million.

Californians for Justice has been successful because of our strong, dedicated staff team. CFJ staff are unwavering in their commitment to youth power and racial justice, to building connection and trust with their teams, and have a strong sense of purpose and dignity in their work. 

Position Overview

The Grants Manager works with CFJ’s four-person development team and the executive director to lead CFJ's foundation fundraising activities. This position reports to the Senior Strategic Partnerships Director and works closely with the Development Associate and Communications Manager. The position is full-time and non-exempt. 

Essential Responsibilities

1. Foundation Fundraising (75%) 

• Write and submit foundation grant proposals and reports, currently approximately 50 per year, and expected to grow. Individualize each proposal/report to that particular funder.
• Manage current and prospective foundation portfolios and deadlines
• Work with program staff to track grant deliverables
• Communicate with current and prospective funders to coordinate visits between funders and the strategic partnerships director and executive director, share information, and respond to requests
• Conduct grant prospecting, research, and develop agenda for funder visits
• Work with administrative and finance staff to reconcile grant and donation records with financial records, and maintain accurate and up-to-date funder and donor files
• Participate in occasional funder driven projects as a representative of the organization

2. Communications (10%) 

Support the communications team to correspond with CFJ’s 17,000 online supporters via email and social media.

• Copy edit all blog posts and emails created by Communications Manager including checking for correct grammar, punctuation, and formatting.
• Produce stories reflective of CFJ fundraising perspective once a month
• Participate in bi-weekly, quarterly, and annual communications team meetings to identify annual and event-specific communications strategies and tactics, particularly for increasing fundraising and donor engagement.
• Support special projects as needed - projects may include interviewing youth leaders for articles, calling media outlets, attending events to support social media posting and photography.

3. Grassroots Fundraising (10%)

CFJ’s Development Associate coordinates CFJ’s grassroots (individual) fundraising efforts. The Grant Manager’s role is to: 

• Work with the Development Associate to coordinate planning for our annual fundraising events held in each of our four regions.
• Support the Development Associate to manage individual and organizational donor relationships, including reviewing donor materials and responding to donor requests

4. Organizational Responsibilities (5%)

• Model leadership and participation in all grassroots fundraising campaigns and maintain a portfolio of individual and organizational prospects for solicitation
• Participate in cross-department committees and teams.
• Provide support and participation for organization-wide and some regional campaign events.

Essential Qualifications

• 2+ years in direct grant writing and grant management experience 
• Exemplary writing and editing skills, with experience simplifying complex information for different audiences. Must enjoy writing!
• Interpersonal skills to develop relationships with staff to foster collaboration and mutual accountability.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including ability to prioritize and balance multiple tasks and projects 
• Ability and satisfaction working independently; ability to drive your own work
• Good judgment and decision-making, particularly in your interactions with foundations
• Strong commitment to social justice, racial justice, and youth empowerment

Preferred Qualifications

• “Good ear” - ability to continuously listen for relevant program information and integrate it into CFJ’s fundraising strategies and grant proposals/reports

Work Environment

Currently, all CFJ staff are working virtually in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Upon returning to in-person operations (timing TBD), the position will be located in one of CFJ’s four regional offices in Fresno, Long Beach, Oakland, or San Jose.

Physical Demands

• Able to work on a computer, including sitting at a desk, for extended periods of time. Able to read a computer screen. Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard.
• Able to speak clearly in English on the phone and in person and be understood by others.
• Able to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 10 pounds.

Compensation:

$28.38 - $33.99 per hour (approximate annual earnings of $59,000 - $70,700, plus overtime), depending on experience and qualifications as determined by CFJ’s salary scale. CFJ provides a generous benefits package, including fully paid health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees working at least half-time and their dependents. We also offer substantial vacation days and time off. 

How to Apply:

Send a brief writing sample (if available, a grant application or report), your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and qualifications, and at least three references to jobs@caljustice.org with the subject line “Grants Manager – Your Name.”

As a multi-racial organization (CFJ is 95% people of color), we are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where every staff member feels heard, supported, valued, and can share their authentic brilliance to move the CFJ mission forward. CFJ is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Folx who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, parents, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. We are committed to addressing issues of racism and inequity internally and externally.