Grants Associate

Mission: Advancing progressive change by strengthening movements for Economic, Environmental, Political, Racial, and Social Justice. About The FUND: The Fund for Santa Barbara (est. 1980) is a non-traditional community foundation that supports organizations and groups working for progressive social change in Santa Barbara County. The FUND is dedicated to helping find solutions to current and emerging social problems and issues that challenge our society as a whole. To learn more about The FUND and its history, visit our website . At the Fund for Santa Barbara: We are guided by four core values — Respect, Trust, Joy, and Excellence — that shape how we show up for one another every day. We treat colleagues and community partners with respect, build trust through honesty and accountability, and bring joy to our work as a source of energy and connection. Together, these values drive us toward excellence in everything we do, fostering a workplace culture where everyone can thrive. About Grant Making at The FUND : The FUND uses an activist-led, participatory decision-making model in which our Grant Making Committee — made up of up to 19 community activists and leaders — determines where resources are allocated, setting The FUND apart from traditional foundation grantmaking. Our grantmaking is rooted in the belief that communities hold the wisdom, relationships, and power to drive their own transformation. Our role is not to direct that transformation, but to resource it—removing barriers, building trust, sharing decision-making authority, and holding ourselves accountable to the communities we serve. POSITION SUMMARY The FUND seeks a dynamic, highly organized, and systems‑oriented Grants Associate. The Grants Associate supports and manages all aspects of the logistics and administration of The FUND's grant programs across the full grantmaking lifecycle—from application development and implementation through review, award, compliance, reporting, and learning. This role requires both operational precision and a genuine commitment to equity-centered, participatory practice, and involves maintaining trust-based relationships with grantee partners, volunteers, and community members. Reporting to the Director of Grantmaking, the Grants Associate works collaboratively across program, finance, and communications teams, with the Grant Making Committee, and with grantee partners and community members. Ideal candidates bring keen attention to detail and a proven ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, and a values-aligned work ethic. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Grant Programs Administration and Logistics (60%) Administer all phases of the grantmaking process: publish requests for proposals, oversee application intake and review, coordinate due diligence, prepare grant recommendations, and issue awards. Administer The FUND's grants management system (Submittable), ensuring data integrity, timely workflows, and clear documentation at each stage. Manage grant agreements, award notifications, and compliance documentation in coordination with legal and finance staff. Process grant payments and track disbursements across all programs in a timely manner. Track grantee reporting deadlines and deliverables; review narrative and financial reports for compliance and learning. Compile and synthesize grantee data and program outcomes to support internal learning, board reporting, and external communications. Coordinate grant program calendars ensuring synchronization with the master department calendar as needed. Maintain working knowledge of all grant programs, including funding guidelines, priorities, and eligibility criteria in order to serve as a key point of contact for all involved. Provide logistical and on-site administrative support for grant program meetings and events, including coordinating agendas, preparing and distributing materials, securing venues, and arranging catering and audiovisual equipment. Coordinate all public grant award events and assist with other events as requested. Work collaboratively with Fund for Santa Barbara staff and volunteers and participate in staff training, meetings, retreats, and organization wide events. Participatory & Trust-based Grantmaking (20%) Support and facilitate community decision-making processes, including the recruitment, orientation, and participation of community reviewers. Streamline communications between staff and grant making committee members ensuring timely information flow and coordinated follow-through on action items. Apply an equity lens across all grantmaking functions from program implementation and grantee communications to evaluation frameworks and reporting. Partner with grantees in a relationship-centered way — offering technical assistance, coordinating listening sessions, and providing clear, accessible and timely communication throughout the grant cycle. Grant Programs Relationship Management & Communications (20%) Serve as a primary point of contact for current and prospective grantee partners, providing timely, clear, and warm communication throughout the grant cycle seeking to build trusting relationships. Support volunteer participation in the Grant Making Committee program, including recruitment, onboarding, co-chair preparation, retreats, and subcommittees as needed. Prepare board and committee docket materials, including grant recommendations, program updates, and outcome summaries. Coordinate the flow of grant program information across departments, ensuring timely and appropriate external communications. Perform other related projects and duties as required WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE In the first 90 days, the Grants Associate is working in partnership with the Grants team and has developed working knowledge of The FUND's programs, calendars, and systems — and grantee partners and committee members experience responsive, warm communication from the start. At six months, grant cycles are running on time, documentation is accurate, and the Grants Associate is anticipating needs rather than reacting to them. Grantee partners feel well-supported, and internal teammates trust this person to own their workstreams. At one year, the Grants Associate is a thought partner and reliable steward of The FUND's grantmaking culture — not just managing logistics, but embodying trust-based practice in every interaction and identifying opportunities to improve processes and strengthen the equity and integrity of our programs. QUALIFICATIONS Required Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum of 2 years of comprehensive and detailed administrative support experience in a complex, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment, preferably in a nonprofit or related institution. Strong commitment to the mission, values, and community‑led philanthropic approach of the Fund for Santa Barbara. Exceptional organizational, prioritization, and time-management skills with keen attention to detail and the ability to anticipate needs and develop creative solutions. Strategic and analytical thinking skills with the ability to develop pragmatic, equitable approaches to challenges and produce positive change. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write for diverse audiences. Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Canva, and cloud-based file management; comfort learning new platforms and systems. Comfort working independently, exercising sound judgment, and managing multiple priorities with minimal supervision. Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with diverse stakeholders, including community members, volunteers, and partners. Ability to create systems to self-motivate, prioritize, time manage, and meet deadlines without sacrificing quality. High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information with integrity. Receptive to feedback, flexible, and adaptable in a dynamic environment. Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel between North and South County offices as needed. Preferred Bilingual/bicultural (English/Spanish); demonstrated cultural competency with communities served. Strong understanding of social justice issues in Santa Barbara County. Experience in research, data collection, analysis, and reporting, including graphic presentation of data. Experience recruiting and working with volunteers and diverse community populations. Knowledge of nonprofit service delivery principles and practices. COMPENSATION, JOB STATUS & BENEFITS The Fund for Santa Barbara offers a progressive work environment, competitive benefits package, and salary commensurate with education and related work experience. Compensation/Job Status: Non-exempt, hourly, full-time, benefits-eligible position Reports to: Director of Grantmaking Rate: $25-28 per hour, commensurate with experience Benefits: Ability to accrue up to three weeks of personal paid time off, 15 paid holidays, 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, wellness stipend, ongoing professional development, optional retirement plan with 3% employer match LOCATION Primarily based in the Fund for Santa Barbara South County office in Santa Barbara. This hybrid position requires weekly in-person attendance at the Santa Barbara office. Availability for occasional nights, weekends, and travel is required. The standard hours of operation are 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. #J-18808-Ljbffr