Grants Manager
Full Spectrum Features NFP seeks a full-time Grants Manager who is passionate about racial/gender justice and the power of cinema to effect social change. The Grants Manager will be responsible for writing grant proposals, filing grant reports, building external partnerships related to grant proposals, maintaining relationships with foundations and funders, and seeking new funding opportunities.
A successful Grants Manager will be proactive, meticulously track and meet deadlines, and communicate effectively. The ideal candidate will have exceptional writing and proofreading abilities, proficiency with office management technologies, and strong analytical and research skills.
The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of experience in grant writing for nonprofits, preferably in the arts, and should have a demonstrated track record of securing funding from a wide range of sources. The Grants Manager will be expected to secure project and general operating grants totalling at least $500,000/year, and should be able to document a comparable success rate in previous positions.
Experience in the film industry is not necessary nor expected.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage all aspects of grant proposals including research, lit review, assembling information, articulating objectives/outcomes/deliverables, building timelines, assessing staffing and resource needs, budgets, standards of performance, and evaluation.
- Oversee the creation and/or solicitation of materials necessary for grant proposals—e.g., letters of commitment from partners, contractor bids, vendor quotes, etc.
- Determine grant proposal concepts by identifying and clarifying opportunities and needs, studying RFPs, and attending all relevant internal program and strategy meetings.
- Attend external events, conferences, workshops, etc. to learn more about the philanthropic landscape and build strategic relationships.
- Active and ongoing grant prospecting—i.e., researching new funding opportunities, meeting with program officers and other partners relevant for new sources of funding.
- Meet grant deadlines by establishing priorities and target dates for research, writing, review, approval, and transmittal.
- Write and file and interim and final reports for all active grants.
- Coordinate with external partners (including both organizations and artists) and contribute grant updates to all relevant meetings.
- Maintain internal grants database and “scoreboard” throughout the fiscal year.
- Regularly review and discuss grant application drafts with senior leadership.
- Improve grant prospecting results by evaluating and redesigning processes, approaches, coordination, and boilerplates.
QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate will be organized, prompt, professional, eager to learn, and have exceptional writing and communication skills.
- 3+ years of grant writing with a proven track record of securing at least $500,000/year
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- High proficiency with technical documentation, visual layout, design, and other skills necessary for the creation of strong grant proposals
- Field vision — i.e., the ability to understand larger cultural, economic, political, and social forces impacting the arts sector and our communities at large
- Familiarity with Google Workspace (online calendars, cloud systems, Drive, etc.)
- Experience exercising discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information
- Excellent organizational skills with an ability to think proactively and prioritize work
PERSONAL QUALITIES: The following qualities are important for success as an employee at FSF:
- Compassion - equity requires caring about people
- Growth mindset - the ability to allow new, relevant information to shift or entirely change your opinion about something
- Agility - the ability to pivot and respond to real-time changes and developments
- Vulnerability - showing up as your “whole self” builds long-lasting, earnest relationships that are developed through trust
- Radical honesty - the confidence to speak truthfully and boldly, regardless of audience
- Curiosity & Humility - the drive to learn more (curiosity), and the ability to recognize when you do not know the extent of what you do not know (humility)
- Field Vision - the ability to see how the work you do connects to larger systems and processes beyond yourself and your immediate work.
- Root Cause Analysis - the ability to dig beneath the surface of day-to-day and programmatic work and uncover hard truths about underlying causes
COMPENSATION: $40,000-50,000 (annual salary, full-time W-2 employment, approx. 40 hours/week)
BENEFITS:
- Employer-subsidized health insurance (50% subsidy)
- Employer-subsidized dental insurance (50% subsidy)
- Dependent Care and Health Savings Accounts
- Generous sick, vacation, and PTO policy
JOB LOCATION:
This is a hybrid position: 40% in-person, 40% remote, 20% flex. Our offices are located at 2000 S California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608.
TO APPLY: Please upload your resume, two professional references, and a short cover letter here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2lftgxGGVV6z23wtWCV-BgPk0h9_qNP4kgqfdj7e-AR3QHA/viewform
If you have questions about this position, please contact Eugene Sun Park—esp@fullspectrumfeatures.com.