Scholarship Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

About Us

At the Unity Foundation of La Porte County, we believe that true community impact is built on strong relationships and trusted stewardship. We are seeking a detail-oriented, relationship-focused professional to serve as our next Grants & Scholarship Manager . If you are passionate about philanthropy, love working with students and donors, and thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment, we want to hear from you!

Position Overview

The Grants & Scholarship Manager is the heart of our community investment strategies. In this role, you will oversee the end-to-end administration of our scholarship and grant programs. You will balance technical database management with community-facing engagement, ensuring a seamless and positive experience for donors, nonprofit partners, students, and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

1. Scholarship & Grant Administration

• Process Management: Lead the lifecycle of the Foundation’s scholarship and competitive grant programs (including the Power for Good and Teacher Grants initiatives).
• Compliance & Distribution: Monitor eligibility, track renewals, coordinate award selections, and ensure accurate financial distributions.
• Committee Leadership: Recruit, train, and support volunteer selection committees. Coordinate annual volunteer appreciation activities to celebrate their impact.
• Evaluation: Prepare clear grant summaries, tracking documentation, and impact reports to show donors the real-world results of their generosity.

2. Database Administration & Data Integrity

• System Ownership: Serve as the primary administrator for our grant and scholarship lifecycle management system.
• Form Design: Build and optimize user-friendly applications, grant agreements, and reporting templates.
• Tech Support: Provide patient technical assistance and training to tech-shy nonprofits and student applicants.
• Maintenance & Security: Keep confidential records secure, monitor software updates, handle data archiving, and generate reports for audits and compliance.

3. Relationship Management & Community Outreach

• Ambassador for Unity: Act as the primary, welcoming point of contact for scholarship recipients, local schools, universities, and nonprofit partners.
• Community Cultivation: Build trusted relationships with local school districts, civic organizations, and community leaders to promote awareness of available funding.
• Market Intelligence: Stay informed on local needs, educational trends, and policy changes affecting grant seekers and students in La Porte County.
• Event Support: Represent the Foundation at collaborative initiatives, public presentations, and donor stewardship events.

Qualifications

What You Bring to the Team:

• Experience: Proven track record in grants/scholarship administration, nonprofit operations, or higher education.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Business, Public Administration, Education, or a related field (preferred, but equivalent experience valued).
• Tech Savvy: High proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel (data manipulation, advanced functions).
• Software Familiarity: Experience with cloud-based philanthropic software (e.g., Foundant CSuite, GLM/SLM, Blackbaud, Sage Intacct) is a major plus.
• Core Skills: Exceptional project management skills, laser-sharp attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple strict deadlines without breaking a sweat.
• Communication: Stellar written and verbal communication skills; ability to pivot seamlessly from coaching a high school student to reporting to a donor.

Preferred Personal Attributes :

• An authentic passion for community impact and local philanthropy.
• An approachable, empathetic interpersonal style.
• The ability to work highly independently while remaining a collaborative, supportive teammate in a small office environment.

Company Description

At Unity Foundation of La Porte County, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students, nonprofits, and the broader community. We offer a collaborative work environment, mission-driven culture, and the opportunity to contribute to lasting community impact throughout La Porte County.

A community foundation is an organization created by and for the people in a local area. Its core purpose is to help you help others.

We are a very long-sighted organization. We are distinguished by our mission to be in La Porte County forever and to manage donors’ charitable wishes, as well as utilize financial resources to meet La Porte County’s needs and opportunities as those needs change over time.

The beauty of our Community Foundation is in the diversity of our donor base. People of modest means stand side by side with those of great wealth to form a community philanthropic foundation that is strong and deep beyond measure. Anyone can be a philanthropist! The Community Foundation provides numerous giving options, all of which make an impact, no matter the size of gift!

Our organization provides donors with flexible, efficient, and tax effective ways to ensure their charitable giving achieves the greatest possible impact.

Company Description

At Unity Foundation of La Porte County, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students, nonprofits, and the broader community. We offer a collaborative work environment, mission-driven culture, and the opportunity to contribute to lasting community impact throughout La Porte County.\r\n\r\nA community foundation is an organization created by and for the people in a local area. Its core purpose is to help you help others.\r\n\r\nWe are a very long-sighted organization. We are distinguished by our mission to be in La Porte County forever and to manage donors’ charitable wishes, as well as utilize financial resources to meet La Porte County’s needs and opportunities as those needs change over time.\r\n\r\nThe beauty of our Community Foundation is in the diversity of our donor base. People of modest means stand side by side with those of great wealth to form a community philanthropic foundation that is strong and deep beyond measure. Anyone can be a philanthropist! The Community Foundation provides numerous giving options, all of which make an impact, no matter the size of gift!\r\n\r\nOur organization provides donors with flexible, efficient, and tax effective ways to ensure their charitable giving achieves the greatest possible impact.