Grants Manager

Position: Grants Manager The African Community Education (ACE) Program is a non‑profit community organization dedicated to addressing the educational and social needs of African refugee and immigrant communities in Worcester, Massachusetts. ACE supports families in achieving educational success and social stability by providing access to academic support, community resources, and opportunities for cultural expression. For more information, please visit africancommunityeducation.org. Position Summary The Grants Manager is responsible for identifying funding opportunities, developing and submitting grant proposals, and supporting long‑term resource development efforts to advance ACE’s mission. This position manages grant deadlines, cultivates relationships with foundations and government funding agencies, and collaborates across departments to develop competitive proposals and ensure compliance with grant reporting requirements. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail‑oriented, able to manage multiple priorities, and demonstrates strong written communication skills with a collaborative and solutions‑focused approach. This position reports directly to the Director of Development. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Research, identify, and pursue new grant opportunities from federal, state, municipal, foundation, and corporate funding sources. Develop, write, and submit compelling grant proposals, applications, letters of inquiry, and supporting materials aligned with organizational goals and funder requirements. Prepare and coordinate federal, state, and local grant applications in accordance with applicable guidelines and deadlines. Maintain organized and up‑to‑date electronic records of grant applications, awards, reports, and supporting documentation. Monitor grant submission schedules and reporting deadlines to ensure timely compliance. Build and maintain relationships with foundation representatives, program officers, and funding contacts. Prepare and submit grant reports and ensure timely acknowledgement of grant awards through thank‑you letters and donor communications. Collaborate with the Finance & Operations Director to develop grant budgets, monitor expenditures, and prepare financial reports for funders. Partner with Program Coordinators to collect program data, outcomes, and narrative content for grant applications and reporting. Represent ACE at municipal, county, and community meetings as appropriate. Coordinate internal review processes before proposal submissions. Support organizational priorities by completing other duties and projects as assigned by the immediate supervisor or senior leadership. Qualifications We understand that no one candidate will have all of the following qualifications and that there are a number of ways to gain relevant experience for this position. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align with every qualification in the job description, we still strongly encourage you to apply! Minimum of 3-5 years of grant writing and reporting experience. Demonstrated history of successfully securing grants and generating fundraising revenue to support organizational growth and sustainability. Demonstrated history of forming, managing, and growing relationships with foundations and government funders. Experience communicating with and building relationships with a 501(c)(3) audience. Strong written, editing, and communication skills. Experience working in a progressive fundraising environment with an emphasis on inclusive and equitable language and practices. Excellent time management, project management, attention to detail, and organizational skills. Demonstrated ability to work in and contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. Prior experience working with African, refugee, and/or immigrant communities. Strong commitment to ACE’s mission. Experience working with fundraising and/or grant management software. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Must be able to pass a CORI background check. Bachelor’s degree. Work Schedule This is a full‑time, 40‑hour per week position. There is an infrequent expectation of working some evenings and weekends for special events. Location This is an in‑person position located in Worcester, MA with the flexibility for some remote work, depending on the candidate. Pay $65,000-$80,000 Equal Opportunity Employment The African Community Education Program is committed to building teams that reflect the cultures and identities of the communities with which we work, and to building equitable and inclusive environments that fully leverage the skills, potential, and unique perspectives of our employees. We strongly encourage applications from members of marginalized communities, including refugee, immigrant, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, and the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities. We will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, color, political affiliation, creed, national origin, marital status or any other status as protected by federal, state, and local laws. The African Community Education Program welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations for interviews and for service upon request. #J-18808-Ljbffr