Director of Strategic Grantmaking

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a high-caliber, strategic policy organization that informs and shapes public policies to reduce poverty, promote equity, and build opportunity, on both the federal and state levels. To advance these goals, the Center supports and invests in an infrastructure of state-level policy, advocacy, and community-based organizations that share our mission, including the members of the State Priorities Partnership, a network of 43 organizations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This support includes expert advice, strategic guidance, and convenings and other opportunities for shared learning.  

An integral dimension of this support is a complex grantmaking portfolio comprising over 150 separate grants each year, totaling $8 million to $12 million, reflecting investments from more than a dozen foundations. The Center provides grants for work securing state-level policy improvements as well as grants that allow state groups to engage in critical federal policy debates. All grantmaking is toward the goal of advancing policies that reduce poverty and inequality, broaden health coverage and opportunity, and promote racial and economic justice.  

The Center is seeking a Director of Strategic Grantmaking to manage this portfolio. This new position requires both a strategic vision for grantmaking and an attention to detail to ensure that our grant processes are efficient and in service to our state partners and our philanthropic partners.  

 

Responsibilities:  

• In close collaboration with program staff who serve as project leaders for various regranting initiatives, develop grantmaking strategies and processes that advance the Center’s mission and goals and advance high-impact work in the states. This includes:  
  • managing the allocation of grant funds to individual regranting projects in accordance with our obligations to our funders and our strategic objectives;  
  • advising project leaders and developing model grantmaking strategies, such as template RFPs and standards for reviewing proposals;   
  • working with project leaders to coordinate grantee selection processes for major projects;   
  • working with the Center’s Salesforce system and Finance Department to ensure smooth grant application and approval processes; and  
  • maintaining visibility across grantmaking projects to ensure consistent grant processes that make the most of our support to our partner organizations and help ensure our various strands of grantmaking are effectively strengthening our grantee partners.   

• Manage compliance and due-diligence strategies to ensure that individual regrants meet legal and funder requirements.   
• In consultation with the Center’s Senior Director and Counselor, Equity and Inclusion and others, develop and maintain a set of best practices for equitable grantmaking.   
• In close collaboration with senior members of the Center’s Development and State Fiscal Policy teams, help design and implement methods for assessing and reporting the impact of our grantmaking.  
• Serve as a resource for grant recipients, ensuring open communication and understanding of grant deliverables and timelines.  
• Participate in the leadership of the Center’s State Fiscal Policy team and collaborate seamlessly with the leaders of other departments within the Center that house or help set priorities for regranting projects.  
• Supervise administrative staff who support the regranting process.  

 

 Qualifications:   

 

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of ten years of professional experience, including at least three years of experience in making grants to nonprofit organizations, particularly in advocacy and public policy.  
• Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice.  
• Relevant work experience reflecting progressively higher levels of responsibility, including experience developing and managing staff. 
• Experience in using CRM software, preferably Salesforce, for grantmaking and grants management.  
• Experience  developing and implementing processes and systems for sharing information effectively, including securing broad-based user buy-in and uptake.  
• Ability to manage multiple, complex projects with effective attention to detail and meet deadlines  
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills that demonstrate cultural competency, awareness of implicit bias, and a respect for diversity.  
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships at all levels, collaborate across lines of difference, and contribute positively to team environments.  
• Ability to work independently, advance creative solutions, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.  
• Strong familiarity with Internal Revenue Service regulations governing advocacy and lobbying, and the ability to review and approve proposals for legal compliance.   

CBPP prefers that the position be based in Washington, D.C., but is open to remote work.   

    

This position reports to the Senior Vice President for State Fiscal Policy. 
Terms of Employment: Full-time, exempt. 
Bargaining Unit Status: This is not a bargaining unit position. 

 

Compensation: Salary and title commensurate with experience; excellent benefits, including three health insurance options, dental and vision care, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, and generous vacation leave, sick leave, and holiday schedules.    

 

Please upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please include a discussion of what draws you to the mission of the Center.  

 

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, credit information, pregnancy or parental status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, union activities, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.