Grants Manager

Grants Manager

The Tom and Judy Love Foundation is a private, family foundation rooted in the legacy of Tom and Judy Love, who believed deeply in the power of giving back. Its mission is to Improve lives across Oklahoma by enhancing health care, strengthening Catholic services, and helping youth thrive .

The Grants Manager will report to the Foundation Executive Director and is responsible for the effective administration and execution of the Foundation’s grantmaking activities. This role oversees the full lifecycle of grants—from application and due diligence through award, monitoring, and closeout—ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s mission, strategic priorities, and regulatory requirements. The role is also responsible for communications, social media, and event planning, and is a key liaison between the Foundation, its grantees, and internal stakeholders, supporting thoughtful, compliant, and impactful philanthropy. This position is ideal for someone who is detail oriented, creative, thrives in a collaborative environment, values relationship-building, and is passionate and curious about understanding needs and improving our community.

Grantmaking

• Manage the end-to-end grants process, including intake, organization, award documentation, payment scheduling, and closeout.

• Maintain broad and in-depth knowledge on the Foundation’s funding focus areas, including understanding of needs, trends, best practices, innovations, and values of the community.
• Prepare grant proposals and committee documents for the Executive Director to share with the Foundation's committees and board.
• Communicate grant decisions and monitor active grants and annual reporting.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director as a thought partner to enhance the granting experience for staff, grantees, partners, and board members.
• Lead or contribute to projects that clarify, streamline, and document grant-related policies and procedures.
• Support and participate in Foundation-sponsored events and special projects as needed.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of Foundation activities, meetings, etc.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Conduct due diligence on prospective grantees, including verification of tax-exempt status and compliance with applicable regulations (e.g., IRS rules, self-dealing restrictions, expenditure responsibility).

• Monitor grantee performance and progress against agreed-upon outcomes.

Communications

• Develop and deliver compelling communications that highlight the Foundation’s mission, values, and impact by crafting stories of community partnership and grantmaking success for use across digital platforms, publications, and public-facing materials.
• Serve as a resource to grantees and applicants regarding the Foundation’s funding focus, grantmaking processes and expectations.
• Develop creative ways to engage with our external partners.
• Represent the Foundation in the community and with our partners.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Technology Systems for Grantmaking

• Serve as the lead staff for the Foundation’s grants management system, Foundant, to ensure system optimization. Maintain system functionality and identify system improvements that support the Foundation’s grant processes.
• Provide technical assistance to applicants and Foundation staff using the Foundant system.
• Serve as the primary contact with Foundant software vendor and consultants as needed.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum of eight years of experience in a grantmaking or philanthropic role, either for a corporation or a family foundation.
• Excellent writing and oral communications skills.
• Creative thinking and event planning.
• Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the work required; advanced degree preferred.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail oriented.
• Experience building and managing, relationships, partnerships, and effective collaborations.
• Creative problem-solver with a collaborative mindset.
• Ability to learn, optimize and support the Foundant grants management system.
• Discretion and sound judgment in handling sensitive information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• MS Office Suite proficiency
• Communication tools proficiency, including digital/social platforms.