Grants Manager

Job Title: Grants Manager

Location: San Jose, CA

Schedule: FT, 40hr/week, hybrid preferred with on-site presence as needed

Reports to: Director of Development

Who We Are: Our mission is to end domestic violence in the moment and for all time. In 1971, our founder Bea Robinson Mendez, concerned about the lack of services and options for domestic violence survivors, gathered a small group of her friends to figure out a solution. They set up a shelter in a garage and established a hotline number to provide information and support to survivors. The organization they built became Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence, the second domestic violence agency in California, and the first bilingual domestic violence shelter in the nation.

Today, we are a comprehensive, stand-alone, domestic violence agency in Santa Clara County, answering approximately 15,000 crisis calls and serving an average of 3,000 survivors of domestic violence annually. Our compassionate, bilingual and multicultural services are available free of charge to all individuals.

Culture and Climate: NDS has developed a supportive workplace culture where personal and professional connections are valued and facilitated. Our values are Oneness & Connectedness; Survivor & Community Centered; Compassionate Accountability; Equity & Justice; and Inclusion for Liberation.

Overview : The grants manager is responsible for securing, sustaining, and growing grant revenue. This position develops and executes strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward private and public funding in coordination with NDS leadership. The Grants Manager collaborates across departments to ensure grants align with our mission, goals, and objectives.

The ideal candidate will have experience writing proposals and managing grants for organizations with a robust grants program. They will have exceptional written communication skills and the ability to craft compelling, persuasive grant narratives. A proven track record of building long-term relationships with funders is essential. Strong project management skills, the ability to manage multiple competing priorities, and meticulous attention to detail are also critical. The grants manager must have excellent research skills and experience identifying new funding opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the donor cycle for funders, from identifying prospects to securing support and ensuring meaningful stewardship.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with current and potential funders, ensuring proposals align with evolving priorities and goals.
• Write, edit, and submit compelling grant proposals and reports, ensuring guideline compliance.
• Research funding opportunities and cultivate new prospects to support revenue goals.
• Facilitate grant management meetings to review opportunities, discuss RFPs, align proposals with funder priorities, and track progress.
• Maintain a grants calendar and tracking system to ensure timely submissions, reporting, and compliance.
• Track and report program outcomes in collaboration with staff, ensuring alignment with funder expectations.
• Coordinate with finance staff to develop grant budgets, manage restricted vs. unrestricted funding, and ensure compliance with financial reporting.
• Represent NDS at funder meetings, community events, and grant-related convenings.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records in grants databases and an organized filing system for grant materials.
• Writing for other development and communication projects as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience primary responsibility for writing and managing foundation and/or government grants. This is not an entry-level position.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and build funder relationships.
• Proven track record securing grant funding and maintaining funder engagement.
• Strong ability to collaborate across teams and engage with diverse stakeholders, including staff, board members, and funders.
• Experience managing a grants calendar and tracking deadlines, submissions, and reporting.
• Ability to synthesize complex programmatic and financial information for funders.
• Knowledge of grant budgeting, compliance, and financial reporting; experience working with finance teams preferred.
• Familiarity with domestic violence services, direct service models, or systems change work preferred.
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and the mission of NDS.
• Proficiency in MS Office, GSuite, and grant databases such as Instrumentl and Bloomerang.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

To Apply: To be considered, applicants must apply through ADP application link and submit the following: cover letter describing your interest in the position and how your experience aligns with role; a current resume; two funded grant proposals, or substantial excerpts that demonstrate your grant writing experience.

Next Door Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requested or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.