Grants Manager

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice seeks a dynamic and entrepreneurial Grants Manager to work with the Institute’s development program to grow our revenue stream and strengthen our relationships with supporters. The Grants Manager will build and strengthen donor relationships, help drive and implement the fund development growth strategy.

The Institute’s Mission:

Established in 1999 by Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein, the Institute’s cutting-edge racial and social justice advocacy seeks to empower people of color by building reparative systems that create wealth, transform justice and harness democratic power—from the ground up—in New Jersey. 

Known for our dynamic and independent advocacy aimed at toppling load-bearing walls of structural inequality to create just, vibrant and healthy communities, we are committed to exposing and repairing the cracks of structural racism in our foundation that erupt into earthquakes in communities of color. 

The Institute advocates for systemic reform that is at once transformative, achievable in the state and replicable in communities across the nation.  

The Institute is looking to hire a Grants Manager. The Grants Manager works with the development team, program staff, communications team and senior leadership to share the story of the Institute with grantors in order to meet the Institute’s funding needs. They will have an ability to communicate our organization’s mission clearly and convincingly in writing for institutions (foundations, federations, corporate donors, etc.), to build strong relationships and to translate data into impact.

Reports to: Director of Development

Roles and Responsibilities:

Grants/Contract Management

• In coordination with the Law and Policy Director, the Chief Operating Officer, Director of Development and other appropriate program staff, draft grant applications and reports for new and renewal funding opportunities approved by management, overseeing the process from start to finish;
• Cultivate a thorough understanding of all existing Institute programs and the grants/contracts that support them to affirmatively leverage all aspects of the Institute’s programs for fundraising efforts;
• Work with all staff to research and identify creative and appropriate grant and contract opportunities for the Institute, including how potential grants fit into the larger Institute programmatic and existing funder matrix;
• Create and maintain a grants calendar denoting application and reporting deadlines;
• Maintain a complete file of all grant and contract reports and applications as sent to the funders;
• Implement grant obligation performance matrix to track program compliance;
• Prepare grant and contract reports in coordination with the Director of Development, Law and Policy Director, other appropriate program staff and the COO to assist with final preparation and submission of all grant applications and reports;
• Meet with institutional grant officers in consultation with the Director of Development and COO on a regular basis; and
• Identify and implement opportunities to showcase Institute work to funders (advocacy events, talks, hearings, etc.).

Key responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as a key point of contact for grantee partners, providing technical assistance for application and report submission, responding to inquiries on financial due diligence requirements and verifying grantee partner information.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development to create, revise and improve grantmaking processes, dashboards and application forms to ensure that collected data is properly reported.
• Contribute to regular Program meetings and support communication and collaboration between Program, Finance, IT and other cross-functional teams so that all grant management activities are smoothly implemented.
• Work with Program and Communications staff to prepare analysis, reporting and presentation of qualitative and quantitative data regarding grantee awards, learnings and outcomes to support Board presentations and other external communications.
• Collaborate with the COO to make sure all grants and grant-related activities are properly recorded in the accounting system.
• Become conversant in the Institute’s funding areas and the New Jersey non-profit landscape. 

Other Job Responsibilities:

• Foundation Grants Program: Manage foundation grants program, including strategic prospect research, scheduling, writing, grant preparation and reporting.
• Donor Database Management: Assure the proper recording, tracking and reporting of gifts from donors and funders in the donor database. Assure the maintenance of accurate and current data files, including giving histories, profiles, and interactions. Work with relevant staff to produce necessary reports for auditors and reconciliation of funds.

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of three to five years grant management experience with non-profit associations.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or related field strongly preferred, but not required. Working knowledge of grant management.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally, and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills required to work effectively with staff and external vendors.
• Internet and email communication proficiency required.
• Understanding of and passion for the Institute’s mission. Ability to understand and speak compellingly about our work.
• A commitment to racial diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance, and ability to work with diverse individuals within the organization and broader community.
• The ability to work effectively in a collaborative context, both internally and externally.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and donor management databases.
• Ability to travel as well as the flexibility to work as needed to accomplish the organization’s fundraising goals which may include evenings and weekends.

Compensation & Benefits:

This is a full-time, at-will position. Salary is commensurate with experience and includes excellent benefits, including health, dental, and vision, life insurance, Medical Expense Reimbursement Program, travel stipend, a 401(k) plan with an employer contribution, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday leave.

To Apply:

Please send 1) a cover letter explaining your interest in, qualifications for, and how you learned about the position as detailed in this announcement, 2) a current resume, and 3) two relevant writing samples by email to:  recruitment@njisj.org with “Grants Manager” in the subject line of the email or by mail to:

Grants Manager Recruitment
New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

60 Park Place – Suite511

Newark, NJ  07102

Deadline:

Applications accepted until position is filled.

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The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to you without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, disability or genetic information.