Grants Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Grants Manager identifies, develops, writes, and manages grants that support fundraising efforts and strategic initiatives across the shelter. This position oversees the full grant lifecycle, including prospect research, proposal development, sponsorship requests, corporate foundation proposals, grant compliance, reporting, stewardship, and renewal efforts. The Grants Manager will develop persuasive funding narratives, manage multiple deadlines, maintain strong relationships with funding partners, and ensure compliance with grant requirements. As a member of the Development and Community Engagement team, the Grants Manager will have an active role in meeting current and future fundraising goals in support of the shelter's mission.

DEPARTMENT: Development & Community Engagement
REPORTS TO: Director of Giving and Engagement
NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS: 0
STATUS: Part-time, hourly, non-exempt
SCHEDULE: Approximately 5 hours/week, may vary to meet grant deadlines; Remote; must reside in Colorado

MISSION

Foothills Animal Shelter’s mission is: Providing support to our surrounding community through education, services that strengthen the human-pet bond, and humane care for the animals we serve.

VALUES

All employees and volunteers are expected to embody the Shelter’s Values which are to have honesty and integrity in all that we do, with the following values as our guide:

• Stewardship: Assume responsibility and ownership for our actions within our shelter and our community.
• Positive Culture: Create a safe, supportive environment for the health, wellbeing, and development of staff and volunteers.
• Openness: Nurture an innovative, inclusive, and creative environment that cultivates conversations and relationships that actively work towards the future.
• Team Oriented: Build relationships, embrace teamwork, and foster collaboration in pursuit of our Mission.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grant Strategy and Prospect Research

• Researches foundations, corporations, government agencies, and other funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Develops and maintains a pipeline of prospective grant opportunities and funding partners.
• Maintains a grant calendar tracking deadlines, submissions, reports, stewardship activities, and renewal opportunities.
• Monitors philanthropic trends and identifies new funding opportunities that support organizational goals.
• Provides funding recommendations and strategic guidance regarding grant opportunities.

Grant Writing and Submission

• Writes and submits grant proposals, letters of inquiry, sponsorship requests, corporate foundation proposals, and supporting documentation.
• Collaborates with operational leaders and program managers to gather information necessary for funding requests.
• Develops compelling narratives, budgets, outcomes, metrics, and project descriptions.
• Ensures all submissions are accurate, complete, and submitted by required deadlines.
• Maintains proposal templates, supporting materials, and grant-writing resources.

Grant Management and Reporting

• Manages grants from award through closeout, including compliance, implementation tracking, reporting, stewardship, and renewal efforts.
• Prepares and submits interim, final, and renewal reports.
• Coordinates with shelter departments and finance staff to obtain information necessary for grant reporting requirements.
• Tracks grant expenditures, restrictions, deliverables, and reporting deadlines.
• Maintains complete and accurate grant files and funding documentation.
• Ensures compliance with grant agreements and funding requirements.

Stewardship and Relationship Management

• Cultivates and maintains positive relationships with foundations, corporate funders, grant-making organizations, and community partners.
• Coordinates stewardship activities and funder communications.
• Supports grant renewal and funding continuation efforts.

Development Support

• Collaborates with the Development and Community Engagement team to align grant funding strategies with broader fundraising goals.
• Supports corporate sponsorship acquisition and stewardship through sponsorship proposals and related communications.
• Assists with campaign messaging, cases for support, donor communications, and other development initiatives as assigned.

Organizational Wellness

• Promotes teamwork by demonstrating a cooperative, flexible, adaptable, and helpful attitude with all staff and volunteers.
• Maintains a positive, solutions-oriented approach to the work environment, looking for opportunities within each challenge.
• Makes recommendations and leads initiatives to improve processes and procedures.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Three years of experience in grant writing, grant management, fundraising, nonprofit development, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience developing successful grant proposals and managing grant reporting requirements
• Experience managing multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships simultaneously

Licenses and Certifications

• Must obtain Fear Free Shelter certification within 60 days of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional written communication, editing, and proofreading skills
• Knowledge of grant development, grant administration, grant compliance requirements, and sponsorship programs
• Knowledge of foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities
• Ability to develop persuasive funding narratives and proposals
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Ability to analyze funding requirements and ensure compliance with grant obligations
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service and interact with the public in a professional and engaging manner
• Ability to collaborate effectively with individuals of diverse skills, backgrounds, and expertise levels
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to shifting timelines and priorities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Experience working with donor databases, grant tracking systems, and fundraising software is preferred
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment while maintaining strong communication, collaboration, and accountability

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer-based work
• Fine motor skills and manual dexterity for keyboarding and operating standard office equipment

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Remote work arrangement; employee must reside in Colorado
• Primarily a desk-based office environment requiring extensive computer use
• Any onsite work is performed in an animal shelter environment with regular exposure to noise, odors, animal hair/dander, and common allergens

EQUIPMENT USED

• Computer and standard office equipment
• Donor databases, grant management systems, and fundraising platforms
• Microsoft Office Suite and cloud-based collaboration tools
• Grant research, reporting, and prospecting resources

About Foothills Animal Shelter: Foothills Animal Shelter is an open admission shelter serving the Jefferson County community. We are a Fear Free Certified Shelter, adhering to force free and positive reinforcement philosophies, and are a Socially Conscious Animal Shelter, seeking the best possible outcomes for the animals at our shelter and our community. Each year, we shelter almost 9,000 dogs, cats, and small animals with the help of our skilled and experienced teams of staff and volunteers. In addition to adoptions, we offer a wide range of services including lost and found pet reunification, pet licensing for Jefferson County, and supportive programs like Better Together, which helps keep pets and families together during times of hardship. Foothills Animal Shelter operates under an intergovernmental agreement between Jefferson County and the cities of Arvada, Edgewater, Golden, Lakewood, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge.    

Benefits: Part-time employees earn sick time each pay period. Part-time employees who are regularly scheduled 20 hours per week also accrue vacation time each pay period. After six months of employment, employees who complete eligibility requirements may enroll in a 401K retirement plan that we will match up to 4%. Foothills Animal Shelter is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer.