Grants & Foundation Relations Manager

Position Summary

The Grants & Foundation Relations Manager supports reStart Inc.'s fundraising and resource development efforts by leading the full lifecycle of grant and foundation funding opportunities. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this position is responsible for grant prospect research, proposal development, grants management, funder stewardship, reporting, and grants strategy execution.

The Grants & Foundation Relations Manager serves as the primary administrator of the organization's grants portfolio and grant management systems, ensuring accurate tracking of funding opportunities, proposal submissions, reporting requirements, and stewardship activities. This role collaborates closely with program leaders, finance staff, and organizational leadership to secure funding that advances reStart's mission of empowering people, ending homelessness, and inspiring hope.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, detail-oriented professional with exceptional writing skills, strong project management abilities, and a passion for identifying and cultivating funding opportunities that support organizational growth and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Grant Prospecting & Funding Strategy

• Conduct ongoing prospect research to identify foundation, corporation, government, and other funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Maintain and strengthen a robust pipeline of qualified funding prospects.
• Utilize grant research and management platforms to identify, evaluate, and track opportunities.
• Monitor emerging funding trends related to homelessness, housing stability, workforce development, youth services, family services, supportive services, and community development.
• Prepare funding recommendations, prospect briefings, and strategic analyses for organizational leadership.
• Develop annual prospecting goals and regularly assess pipeline strength and funding potential.
• Collaborate with leadership to align grant opportunities with strategic initiatives and program priorities.

Grant Writing & Proposal Development

• Prepare compelling letters of inquiry, grant applications, proposals, reports, and supporting documentation.
• Collaborate with program, finance, and leadership teams to gather data, budgets, narratives, outcomes, and evaluation measures.
• Ensure all submissions are accurate, complete, compliant, and submitted by required deadlines.
• Maintain and continuously update a library of organizational narratives, outcomes, impact statements, program descriptions, and supporting materials.
• Customize proposals to align with funder priorities, requirements, and strategic interests.
• Support development of requests for operating support, programmatic funding, capital initiatives, special projects, and organizational growth opportunities.

Grants Management & Compliance

• Serve as the primary administrator of grant management systems and processes.
• Maintain accurate records of prospects, submissions, awards, declines, reporting deadlines, funder contacts, and funding history.
• Track proposal status, grant requirements, compliance obligations, and reporting schedules.
• Maintain an organizational grants calendar and ensure timely completion of all deliverables.
• Generate regular pipeline, funding, and performance reports for leadership.
• Ensure grant documentation is organized, accessible, and audit-ready.
• Support organizational compliance with grant requirements, reporting standards, and documentation expectations.

Foundation Stewardship & Relationship Management

• Prepare interim, annual, and final reports for grant funders and foundation partners.
• Coordinate collection of outcome data, success stories, financial information, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure timely submission of all required reports and stewardship communications.
• Support relationship-building efforts with foundation representatives and funding partners.
• Assist with planning and coordination of site visits, tours, meetings, presentations, and funder engagement opportunities.
• Maintain positive, professional relationships with grant funders and strategic partners.
• Partner with organizational leadership to strengthen foundation retention and renewal efforts.

Team Leadership & Development Operations

• Supervise, coach, and develop grants-focused team members as assigned.
• Establish workflows, timelines, and accountability measures that support efficient grant operations.
• Contribute to annual fundraising planning, revenue forecasting, and development strategy discussions.
• Collaborate with the Development team to support organizational fundraising initiatives and campaigns.
• Participate in departmental planning, leadership meetings, and cross-functional projects.
• Develop, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve grant-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to strengthen organizational effectiveness and sustainability.
• Provide regular reports and recommendations to leadership regarding funding trends, opportunities, and risks.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Journalism, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in grant writing, nonprofit development, fundraising, foundation relations, research, or related work.
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills.
• Strong research, analytical, and project management abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and grant management software platforms.

Preferred

• Experience working within nonprofit organizations.
• Experience managing foundation and government grant portfolios.
• Knowledge of funding opportunities related to homelessness, housing, supportive services, workforce development, youth services, and community development.
• Experience with outcomes measurement, program evaluation, and impact reporting.
• Experience preparing grant budgets and collaborating with finance teams.
• Experience supervising team members or coordinating grant-related workflows.

Core Competencies

• Grant Writing & Proposal Development
• Research & Prospect Identification
• Foundation Relations
• Project Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Professional Communication
• Organization & Documentation
• Compliance Management
• Data Analysis & Reporting
• Collaboration
• Adaptability

Accountability

• Work Environment & Physical Requirements
• Primarily office-based with periodic attendance at community meetings, funder visits, and organizational events.
• Ability to travel locally as needed for funder meetings and community engagement opportunities.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Frequent use of computer systems and grant management platforms.

reStart Inc. Core Values & Attributes

• All reStart team members are expected to demonstrate:
• Mission Commitment: Dedicated to supporting individuals and families as they move from homelessness to stability.
• Solution-Focused Mindset: Approaches challenges with creativity, accountability, and a commitment to positive outcomes.
• Collaboration: Works effectively across departments and with community partners to advance organizational goals.
• Flexibility: Adapts to evolving priorities, opportunities, and organizational needs.
• Integrity: Demonstrates professionalism, ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability.
• Compassion: Treats participants, donors, volunteers, team members, and community partners with dignity, respect, and care.