Big Brothers Big Sisters, Grants Manager Position

Job Announcement

Grants Manager

Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest has been serving the mentoring needs of children in the Metropolitan Portland and Southwest Washington areas since 2002. The fastest growing agency out of 500 nationwide, Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest is now the largest provider of professionally supported one-to-one mentoring on the West Coast, serving 2,910 children in 2008.  The agency’s vision is to serve 6,000 children by 2013

We are seeking a three-quarter-time Grants Manager to oversee and coordinate all of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ foundation, corporate and government grants-related activities and serve as the organization’s primary grant writer. This position is an essential one, as a significant amount of our budget is funded by grants and we see continued growth in this area.

This position offers a challenging and rewarding way to be immersed in learning and writing about the impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters on at-risk youth, their families, their schools and the community. The Grants Manager reports to the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and works closely with program and community relations staff.  Flexible schedule and partial telecommuting is possible.

Key Responsibilities:

Conceive, write, edit, and report on grant proposals to achieve budget goals in close collaboration with CDO, VP of Community Relations and VP of Programs.

Research and identify new sources of grant funding. Prepare grant applications for submittal and prepare renewal applications as required by funding agencies. Attend inter-department meetings to identify and prioritize project needs, coordinate and research grant preparation assignments, as assigned. Assist county staff in writing applications, as assigned. Edit applications for accuracy, completeness and clarity and submit all applications in accordance with grant requirements. Act as liaison between the foundations and agency, and participate in meetings and discussions when necessary and as directed. Develop annual stewardship reports for foundations. Oversee grant filing system and add information to reporting calendar upon grant awards. Supervise interns and/or grant writing volunteers. Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

BA Degree in English, communication, or writing intensive field. Two or more years demonstrated grant writing success. Ability to pass standard background check.

Required Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of grant application process. Excellent organizational skills. Excellent written and oral communications skills. Understanding of and comfort with developing budgets for grant proposals. High professional standards, attention to detail. Self-motivated and a strong track record of meeting deadlines. Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines for grant opportunities. Ability to take initiative and utilize innovative techniques and ingenuity in preparing grant applications. Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to interact with various departments of the agency. Ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate multiple projects. Ability to research, gather, analyze, and evaluate a variety of data.

How to Apply Please send the following: a detailed cover letter outlining your experience, availability, and why you are interested in the position; a resumé; and 1-2 writing samples (you should be the sole author of the writing samples and they should not have been substantially edited by someone else). Direct these materials either by mail, fax, or email to: Cynthia Thompson, Chief Development Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest, 1827 NE 44th Avenue, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97213; Fax # 503-249-5777; [email protected]. The search will remain open until position is filled.