The Grants Manager is responsible for all grant-related activities on behalf of the organization. This position has two major responsibilities including:

1) Secure program operating funds from private and public sources using a proactive grant seeking strategy. This strategy will diversify available funding through the coordination of all United Way grant seeking strategies, presenting a united front to the funding community.  Grant writing activities will be directed exclusively toward securing funding restricted for internal services and programs and convened initiatives resulting from community need and designated as priorities by United Way.

2) Work closely with program staff and senior leaders to ensure accurate financial reporting and procedural compliance on all grants, including governmental grants. Oversee the financial and record-keeping side of grants/contracts received and any subcontracted organizations involved in the grant.

Supervisory Accountabilities: 

Staff: No
Volunteers: No

General Responsibilities: 

1) GRANT WRITER:

As a Grant Writer, this role is responsible for shaping strategy and the ongoing identification and sourcing of grant opportunities, preparation and completion of grant applications, and coordination of all grant-writing activities with internal and external stakeholders.

Sourcing

  • Conduct research and prospecting activities to identify multiple sources for public, foundation, and corporate grant funding.
  • Develop a consultative relationship with internal program staff and glean knowledge from throughout the organization for the purposes of content creation, proposal development, and for competitively positioning proposals for funding.
  • Cultivate relationships with potential private and public funding sources.
  • Stay abreast of current issues in grants management and policy changes affecting programming.

Writing

  • Write, assemble, edit, and submit accurate grant proposals in a timely manner to a variety of funding organizations and foundations in exact accordance with the prescribed guidelines and criteria.
  • Create compelling written and oral communications to support United Way program/project operating funds.

Coordination

  • In partnership with other divisions, shape and implement strategy and priorities for diversification of United Way program funding.
  • Work with appropriate staff teams to identify resource needs for grant related projects (staffing, equipment, space, etc.), and develop budgets accordingly.
  • Collaborate with fiscal, development, planning and allocations, program staff, community organizations, and management to ensure successful execution of awarded grants.
  • Manage grant application process, track follow-up activities, and confirm grant approval and funding requirements. Produce monthly grants status report for distribution to leadership team.
  • Coordinates a cross-functional internal committee which has the responsibility of final review of the scoped projected costs before grants and proposals for contracted services are submitted.

2) GRANT COMPLIANCE ADMINISTRATOR:

In the capacity of a grant compliance administrator, this role is responsible for oversight of all components of the pre- and post-award grants cycle including the fulfillment of administrative requirements for funded grants from government and private funders.

Grants Received:

  • Ability to shape strategy and be a vital connector for the finance, development, and program staff to ensure an accurate, timely, efficient and transparent process for the entire grant life cycle, from proposal to close. This entails pre-award management, tracking invoicing and payments, reviewing or producing relevant reports, monitoring and post-award management.
  • Ensure compliance, help set relevant policies and provide technical assistance as required.
  • Work with program staff to develop and maintain all grant agreements and MOUs pertaining to grant awards.
  • Oversee all aspects of United Way’s sub-grantee making process including all grant administration policies, systems, and documentation to ensure compliance, incorporate best practices, and ensure excellent controls.
  • Serve on the team that assures grant compliance and interprets all applicable regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Interpret applicable regulations and translate into operational policies as required.
  • Provide on-going training to program and finance staff as it relates to grant administration and organizational policies.
  • Manage the invoicing and track the expenses for United Way’s public and private grants portfolio.
  • Create and maintain a basic grant manual and communicate appropriately with staff concerning policies and procedures and updates.
  • Serve as the administrator for development of new standard operations procedures for grants as required

Sub-Grantee Monitoring & Evaluation:

  • Provide hands on training to grantees as it relates to grant administration and compliance policies.
  • Manage the due diligence process for each sub-grantee’s ability to comply with governmental regulations with a thorough review of all their financial and operational policies.
  • Design and execute sub-grantee monitoring processes, collecting and analyzing data, documenting results, and identifying and discussing implications.
  • Proactively interpret and assess sub-grantee gaps, provide technical assistance as necessary and surface and address issues. Perform other duties and/or responsibilities as required to satisfy the needs of the organization.
  • Contribute to the overall success of the United Way by performing other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Key Accountabilities: 

  • Generate new revenue through grant writing by engaging public and private funders with our services.
  • Strengthen the back-office collaborations for the administration of grants.
  • Develop and work to continuously improve standard operating procedures for grant administration.
  • Ensure effective and efficient compliance for grants and contracts.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • BA/BS degree
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office required (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
  • Minimum of 5 years experience in nonprofit grant writing
  • Successful, documented track record of procurement of grants
  • Experience with grants administration and/or compliance (governmental/federal grant experience is a plus)
  • Experience working in deadline-driven environments
  • Ability to work well independently or in team environment, and handle multiple assignments
  • Demonstrated skills in creating persuasive written, visual and oral communications to convey project scope and resource needs
  • Ability to be a vital connector for the finance, development, and program staff
  • Ability to see and understand all points of view
  • Possesses financial acumen is a plus
  • Experience with federal OMB (Office of Management and Budget) circulars
  • Ability to think and problem-solve creatively
  • Possesses strong project management and time management skills; highly organized and detail-oriented
  • Demonstrated capacity to frame complex situations and present options
  • Ability to provide guidance to people with a wide range of cultural backgrounds, training and experience

Please submit resume and cover letter to careers@stl.unitedway.org.


James Taylor