Grants & Program Operations Manager

Position Summary

The Grants & Program Operations Manager is central to the Kenneth King Foundation’s grantmaking and program-related investment (PRI) work, owning the full grants administration lifecycle while contributing program judgment, partner relationship management, and operational leadership. This position serves as a primary point of contact for grantseekers and grant partners, manages the integrity of the Foundation’s grants and information management systems (Foundant), and produces the data, analysis, and reporting that inform decisions by the President, Director of Programs, and Board of Directors. As a key member of a three-person team, this role combines hands-on administration with meaningful responsibility for how the Foundation learns from and communicates about its work.

Key Responsibilities

Grants & PRI Administration (~40%)

• Manage the full grant cycle in Foundant: application intake, eligibility and completeness review, data entry, coding and classification, correspondence, award documentation, disbursement tracking, and grant closeout.
• Verify applicant compliance and tax status through IRS and Candid/GuideStar Charity Check; flag issues for resolution before review.
• Develop and maintain the master schedule for bi-annual grant rounds and an updated grants processing and disbursement manual.
• Administer PRI documentation and tracking in DownHome loan software, including repayment schedules, modifications, and year-end PRI confirmations for the annual audit.
• Prepare correspondence to applicants and grantees regarding proposal status, funding decisions, and reporting requirements.
• Identify and implement continuous improvements to grants management systems and processes.

Program Support & Partner Relations (~25%)

This role contributes substantive program judgment, not just administrative processing:

• Screen incoming proposals and inquiries for fit with the Foundation’s workforce development, employment barrier removal, and entrepreneurship priorities; make initial recommendations to the President and Director of Programs on which proposals advance to full review.
• Participate in informational screening calls with prospective grantseekers and provide follow-up guidance on the Foundation’s priorities and process.
• Conduct final grant report calls with partner organizations, capturing outcomes, lessons, and relationship intelligence for the portfolio record.
• Maintain working knowledge of all current grant and PRI partners and their progress.
• Support the Foundation’s shift toward relational, multi-year grantmaking, including logistics and follow-up for portfolio convenings and learning cohorts.

Data, Reporting & Communications (~20%)

• Maintain the Foundation’s grants data systems as the authoritative source for application, award, disbursement, and outcomes history.
• Produce board reports, year-end summaries, and ad hoc analyses for the President, Board, and external stakeholders.
• Lead data compilation and production for the Foundation’s annual impact report and outcomes summary, in partnership with the President and Director of Programs.
• Build and maintain the Foundation dashboard (Power BI) for internal and external audiences.
• Support the Director of Programs in maintaining the Foundation’s website and social media presence with accurate, current content.

Financial & Audit Coordination (~10%)

• Assist the President in preparing the annual grantmaking and PRI budget.
• Coordinate with the outside accounting firm to ensure approved grant payments are made accurately and on schedule.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to auditors for year-end grant and PRI reporting and confirmations.

Operations & Special Projects (~5%)

• Handle general office administration, including supplies, mail, and digital file organization.
• Serve as lead staff on special research projects assigned by the President or requested by the Board of Directors.
• Represent the Foundation in Denver’s philanthropic community and stay current on best practices in grants management, philanthropy, and supporting technology.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in grants management, program operations, or nonprofit administration; foundation-side experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated judgment evaluating nonprofit proposals, budgets, and organizational capacity.
• Strong relationship and communication skills with diverse stakeholders, from rural grassroots grantees to board members and auditors.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple concurrent processes and deadlines independently.
• Ability to formulate reports, perform data analysis, and translate data into clear insights for decision-makers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and grants management platforms (Foundant strongly preferred); working knowledge of Power BI or demonstrated ability to learn it.
• Familiarity with PRIs or loan administration software (e.g., DownHome) is a plus.
• Experience with Adobe, Canva, Asana, and Calendly helpful.
• Knowledge of workforce development, economic mobility, or related social issues and the role of philanthropy in addressing them.

Position Details

Reports to: President

Full-time, exempt position

Hybrid schedule: 2 days in office (Denver), 3 days remote

Salary range: $75,000–$90,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits: 401(k), health insurance stipend, and paid leave per Foundation policy

The Kenneth King Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to helping Coloradans reach self-sufficiency through workforce development, employment barrier removal, and entrepreneurship.