Grants Manager

Grants Manager

The Grants Manager is part of the development team and is responsible for maximizing foundation, corporate and government giving in support of current and planned DZS activities.

The Grants Manager research grant opportunities and evaluates the fit between the funder's interests and the DZS's strategic priorities. The Grants Manager oversees the preparation of funding proposals and ensures that all DZS applications are complete and in compliance with the funder's guidelines before they are submitted. As appropriate, the Grants Manager acts as the DZS's primary liaison with program officers who represent foundation, corporate and government grantors, and prospects, and ensures that grants and funders receive proper stewardship.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Identify foundation, corporate and government grantors and evaluate their capacity, giving history and interests as prospective sources of grant support for the DZS's general operations and approved activities and projects.
• Produce high-quality funding proposals, budgets and other supporting documents and ensure the availability of other requested/required DZS materials for submission to potential grantors.
• Ensure that foundations, corporations and government grantors receive prompt responses to inquiries and prompt acknowledgement and recognition of gifts and grants.
• Assure timely compliance with grant requirements and provide additional stewardship to maintain and strengthen relationships with funders.
• Edit and revise other written correspondence and materials upon request
• Meet or exceed annual revenue goals.
• For budgeting purposes, project annual revenues and expenses for the DZS grants program.
• Participate in DZS activities and events as required.
• All other responsibilities and tasks as assigned by the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related field.
• Three to five years of professional grant writing experience for a non-profit organization.
• Demonstrated experience and success in all aspects of the grants process, including research, preparation of correspondence and proposals, compliance and stewardship.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Superior organizational skills, exceptional time management and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding communication skills (written and verbal) made evident on examples of work and the ability to give public presentations.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications, one or more donor database products and other grant resources such as Guidestar and The Foundation Center.

Preferred

• Able to provide examples of grant requests and stewardship reports and to report on outcomes of previously submitted proposals.
• Experience in a cultural organization and/or familiarity with corporations, foundations and government grantors who support organizations, programs and projects in southeast Michigan with goals similar to the DZS.
• Interest in fund development.

Working Conditions

Regular work schedule will include modified work hours and some weekend hours during the high seasons as well as occasional evenings and early mornings. Also, this position may occasionally require driving to off-site meetings. The work environment is generally comfortable and most work is indoors although the position may require work outdoors with exposure to seasonal weather conditions for special events, tours, openings, etc. This individual will be exposed to computer monitors and may have some exposure to outside weather conditions.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the individual to sit for long periods of time as well as moderate physical effort on a daily basis such as walking, bending, stooping and standing for an extended period of time. The Grants Manager must also be able to use the telephone and computer and must be able to lift and move 20 pounds.

The individual must be able to perform the job's essential functions satisfactorily with or without accommodations. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Just as we value and celebrate biodiversity, the DZS celebrates the diversity of our human community. We are committed to ensuring that our programs and facilities are fully accessible to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all.