Grants Manager

Grants Manager

Position Overview

The Grants Manager may reside in the following states: Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, or Ohio. Occasional travel to Foster Success’s Indiana headquarters is required.

The Grants Manager serves as the organization’s lead grants professional and is responsible for identifying, securing, stewarding, and reporting on foundation, corporate, and government grant opportunities. This position works closely with organizational leadership, finance, marketing and communications, program, and development staff to align funding opportunities with organizational priorities and ensure timely, accurate, and compelling grant submissions and reports.

The ideal candidate is a strategic writer, project manager, and relationship builder who excels at translating program outcomes into compelling cases for support while managing multiple deadlines and funding opportunities simultaneously.

This role reports directly to the Chief Development & Communications Officer.

Primary Responsibilities

Foundation & Grant Development

• Research, identify, and evaluate foundation, corporate, government, and community funding opportunities that align with Foster Success strategic priorities.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive grants pipeline that supports annual and long-term revenue goals.

• Create compelling, persuasive, and data-driven grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and funding requests.

• Collaborate with Senior Leadership and program staff to identify funding opportunities for existing and emerging initiatives.

• Develop customized cases for support that align donor interests with Foster Success programs and priorities.

• Maintain a grants calendar and ensure timely submission of all proposals, reports, and supporting documentation.

• Monitor trends in philanthropy, government funding, and foster care-related funding opportunities.

Grant Management & Stewardship

• Manage the full lifecycle of foundation, corporate, and government grants from application through reporting and renewal.

• Create and maintain a pipeline dashboard of past, current, and future opportunities and activities.

• Ensure compliance with all grant requirements, reporting expectations, and funding agreements.

• Serve as the primary internal point of contact for grant-related activities and deliverables.

• Coordinate with the Finance Manager to ensure accurate grant budgets, financial reporting, and revenue tracking.

• Partner with the Data Systems Manager and the Marketing and Communications team to collect outcome data, participant stories, photos, and impact metrics.

• Develop stewardship strategies with the Assistant Director of Donor Experience that strengthen funder relationships and increase renewal rates.

• Prepare interim, annual, and final reports demonstrating measurable impact and return on investment.

Data, Evaluation & Impact Reporting

• Collaborate with program leadership and the Data Systems Manager to establish systems for collecting, tracking, and reporting outcomes.

• Analyze programmatic and organizational data to support grant applications and reports.

• Maintain accurate records of all grant activity within Salesforce and other organizational systems.

• Track grant performance against organizational goals and funding commitments.

• Produce grant dashboards, pipeline reports, and revenue projections for leadership and board review.

• Support organizational evaluation efforts by ensuring grant-funded outcomes are accurately measured and communicated.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Work closely with program staff to understand service delivery, participant outcomes, and emerging needs.

• Partner with the Marketing & Communications team to develop compelling grant narratives and impact stories.

• Collaborate with the Finance Manager to ensure grant budgets, expenditures, and compliance requirements are met.

• Support development colleagues with foundation stewardship, donor engagement, and funding strategy discussions.

• Participate in strategic planning conversations to identify future funding opportunities and organizational priorities.

Government Grants & Public Funding

• Research and pursue local, state, and federal grant funding opportunities that align with established strategies.

• Monitor public funding opportunities relevant to foster care, education, workforce development, housing stability, financial empowerment, and youth well-being.

• Coordinate government grant submissions.

• Maintain awareness of legislative and policy developments that may impact funding opportunities.

• Work closely with Senior Leadership to determine priority state and program expansion opportunities. 

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

• Minimum 3–5 years of grant writing, grants management, foundation relations, or nonprofit fundraising experience.

• Demonstrated success in securing foundation, corporate, and/or government grants.

• Exceptional written communication and storytelling abilities.

• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.

• Experience developing budgets, outcome reports, and funding proposals.

• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret programmatic and financial data.

• Experience with CRM systems, preferably Salesforce.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating across departments.

Preferred

• Grant Professional Certified (GPC) credential

• Experience securing grants focused on youth development, education, foster care, workforce development, housing, or financial empowerment.

• Experience with federal and state grant funding.

• Experience with program evaluation and outcomes measurement.

• Grant Professionals Certification (GPC), CFRE, or pursuit of professional certification.

• Experience working within a multi-state or nationally expanding nonprofit organization.

All Foster Success employees are required to:

• Display a strong commitment to the inclusion of all individuals in the workplace.

• Adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the Foster Success employment agreements and the organizational Handbook, including all confidentiality requirements for all client information.

• Proficiency in computer skills and experience with and knowledge of relevant software, particularly Salesforce, Zoom, Google, and Microsoft Products.

• Have access to a secure and reliable internet connection.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes some weekends and/or evenings in order to meet responsibilities of this position and organizational goals.

• Must have reliable transportation for work-related travel.

• All team members are required to pass a background check and undergo fingerprint screening.

Competencies

Candidates will be evaluated on the following competencies during the selection process, reflecting our values of Equity & Inclusion, Innovation, Impact, and Collaboration:

Grant Strategy & Relationship Management Builds strong, authentic relationships with funders, partners, and internal stakeholders. Identifies opportunities that align with organizational priorities and communicates Foster Success’s mission, impact, and funding needs in a compelling and relationship-centered way.

Grant Writing & Communication Develops clear and well-organized grant proposals, reports, and other funder communications. Translates program outcomes, organizational strategy, and financial information into accessible narratives that demonstrate impact and inspire investment.

Equity, Inclusion & Cultural Humility Ensures proposals and funder communications accurately reflect the strengths, experiences, and needs of young people with foster care experience while centering youth voice and reducing barriers to opportunity.

Project Management & Attention to Detail Manages multiple grant deadlines, reporting requirements, and internal deliverables with strong organization and follow-through. Maintains accurate grant records, calendars, budgets, and documentation to support compliance and accountability.

Collaboration & Problem-Solving Works effectively across teams to gather information, develop proposals, and manage funder requirements. Anticipates challenges, communicates proactively, and brings a solutions-focused approach to strengthening grant processes and supporting organizational growth.

All Foster Success employees are expected to:

• Display a strong commitment to the inclusion of all individuals in the workplace.

• Adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the Foster Success employment agreements and the organizational Handbook, including all confidentiality requirements for all client information.

• Proficiency in computer skills and experience with and knowledge of relevant software, particularly Salesforce, Zoom, Google, and Microsoft Products.

• Have access to a secure and reliable internet connection.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes some weekends and/or evenings in order to meet responsibilities of this position and organizational goals.

• Must have reliable transportation for work-related travel.

• All team members are required to pass a background check and undergo fingerprint screening.