Grants and Foundation Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Grants and Foundation Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for CREC's grants and development services and the CREC Foundation. This position is responsible for identifying and securing funding opportunities, managing the grant development process, developing grant content, building and maintaining partnerships, and overseeing fundraising initiatives that support CREC's mission, programs, schools, and member districts.

The Manager also oversees the day-to-day operations of the CREC Foundation, working closely with its Board of Directors to advance fundraising priorities, cultivate donor relationships, coordinate charitable giving, and develop strategic community partnerships.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with CREC leadership, program administrators, school districts, community organizations, and funding partners to expand financial resources, strengthen educational opportunities, and ensure the effective management of grants and philanthropic initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grants Management and Development

• Provide leadership and oversight for CREC's grants and development services, including grant research, proposal development, funding procurement, and grant administration.
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue federal, state, local, corporate, and private foundation funding opportunities that align with CREC's strategic priorities and the needs of its schools, programs, and member districts.
• Oversee the preparation, writing, editing, submission, and management of competitive grant proposals, including budgets, supporting documentation, and required reporting.
• Collaborate with CREC leadership and program administrators to assess funding needs, establish priorities, and develop strategies to secure sustainable funding.
• Establish and maintain systems for tracking grant opportunities, applications, awards, deadlines, reporting requirements, and funding outcomes.
• Establish and maintain system and/or processes for content management to improve current content and access to information typically required for grants.
• Utilize strong project management skills in order to meet grant timelines.
• Monitor grant-funded activities in collaboration with program and business office staff to support compliance with funder requirements, approved budgets, and organizational policies.
• Build and maintain relationships with government agencies, corporate and private foundations, and other funding organizations.
• Provide grant writing technical assistance, and consultation to internal and external stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of grant development activities and recommend strategies to improve funding outcomes and expand services.

CREC Foundation Leadership and Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the CREC Foundation, advancing its mission to support CREC's educational programs, schools, students, families, and communities.
• Collaborate with the Foundation's Board of Directors to establish strategic priorities, develop fundraising goals, and implement initiatives that support the Foundation's mission.
• Coordinate Board meetings, prepare meeting materials and reports, and support Board engagement, governance, and committee activities.
• In collaboration with CREC Communications, develop and implement annual fundraising plans, including individual and corporate giving, sponsorships, grant opportunities, fundraising campaigns, and special events.
• In collaboration with CREC Communications, cultivate and maintain relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, community organizations, and philanthropic partners.
• Identify opportunities to expand the Foundation's financial resources and develop new partnerships that support CREC's educational initiatives.
• Oversee CREC's workplace giving program, CREC Cares, including developing strategies for increasing employee participation.
• In collaboration with CREC Communications,coordinate fundraising events and campaigns, including event planning, sponsorship solicitation, donor engagement, and post-event evaluation.
• Oversee CREC's donor management system, Donor Perfect, to track charitable contributions and facilitate donor stewardship activities, including timely gift acknowledgment, donor communications, recognition, and ongoing relationship management.
• Collaborate with CREC leadership to identify opportunities for Foundation support, including educational innovation, classroom resources, student scholarships, professional development, adult education, and workforce development.
• Work with CREC's business office and the Foundation's Board to monitor financial activities, manage budgets, and support appropriate financial reporting and nonprofit compliance.
• Develop communications and promotional materials that highlight the Foundation's mission, accomplishments, funding priorities, and impact.
• Evaluate fundraising initiatives and provide regular reports to CREC leadership and the Foundation's Board regarding financial performance, donor engagement, and progress toward strategic goals.

Strategic Leadership and Partnerships

• Develop and implement coordinated grant development and fundraising strategies that align with CREC's organizational priorities.
• Identify opportunities to leverage public and private funding, philanthropic contributions, and community partnerships to expand CREC's educational services.
• Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with member districts, community partners, donors, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Represent CREC and the Foundation at community events, organizational initiatives, professional meetings, and other relevant activities.
• Make recommendations to leadership regarding funding opportunities, resource development, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that grants and philanthropic initiatives are aligned with organizational goals.
• Actively contribute to division management team discussions and strategic planning.

Financial and Operational Management

• Develop and oversee departmental and Foundation operating budgets, tracking expenditures, forecasting costs, and identifying opportunities for efficient resource utilization.
• Monitor grant development and fundraising performance, establishing measurable goals and evaluating progress.
• Develop and maintain effective administrative systems, procedures, and internal controls to support grant management, fundraising, and Foundation operations.
• Prepare reports and presentations for CREC leadership and the Foundation's Board.
• Ensure compliance with applicable organizational policies, grant requirements, and relevant nonprofit regulations, in collaboration with appropriate CREC departments and professional advisers.
• Work closely with Business Services throughout the grant development and administration process to ensure that all budgetary and financial implications are identified, reviewed, and communicated prior to grant submission or acceptance, including potential matching requirements, ongoing costs, staffing commitments, and other financial obligations to CREC.

Staff Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise, train, and mentor assigned staff, providing regular feedback, conducting performance evaluations, and collaboratively developing professional goals.
• Delegate responsibilities effectively to ensure productivity, accountability, and timely completion of projects.
• Foster a positive team culture that promotes collaboration, innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership with insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
• Comply with all CREC policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position supervises assigned grants and development and CREC Foundation staff and is responsible for performance management, professional development, delegation of responsibilities, and participation in hiring as needed. The Manager provides operational support to the CREC Foundation's Board of Directors and coordinates the work of staff, volunteers, and external partners supporting Foundation activities.

COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic Planning: Identifies funding opportunities, establishes priorities, develops actionable plans, and aligns resource development with organizational goals.

• Grant Development: Demonstrates knowledge of grant research, proposal development, grant administration, and public and private funding sources.

• Fundraising and Donor Relations: Develops effective fundraising strategies, cultivates donor relationships, and communicates organizational priorities to philanthropic partners in collaboration with CREC Communications..

• Financial Management: Develops and monitors budgets, analyzes financial information, and demonstrates sound stewardship of organizational and philanthropic resources.

• Relationship Building: Establishes and maintains productive relationships with funders, donors, school districts, community organizations, Board members, and internal stakeholders in collaboration with CREC Communications.

• Written and Oral Communication: Communicates clearly and persuasively; demonstrates strong grant writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Leadership and Managing People: Provides direction, develops staff, delegates effectively, promotes accountability, and fosters a collaborative work environment.

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving: Evaluates complex information, identifies opportunities and challenges, develops solutions, and makes data-informed recommendations.

• Planning and Organization: Manages multiple projects, competing deadlines, and organizational priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

• Professionalism and Ethics: Exercises sound judgment, maintains confidentiality, demonstrates integrity, and upholds CREC's organizational values.

• Innovation and Initiative: Identifies new funding opportunities, develops creative fundraising approaches, and seeks opportunities to improve services and processes.

• Adaptability: Responds effectively to changing funding environments, organizational needs, and emerging opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, nonprofit management, education, communications, public administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in grant development, fundraising, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience researching funding opportunities and preparing successful grant proposals.
• Experience managing budgets, coordinating projects, and developing and maintaining professional partnerships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to use grant management, donor management, and other relevant technology platforms.

Preferred:

• Experience working in an educational organization, regional educational service center, school district, or nonprofit organization.
• Experience managing fundraising campaigns, coordinating special events, and cultivating individual and corporate donors.
• Experience working with a nonprofit Board of Directors.
• Familiarity with federal, state, and private foundation grants supporting educational programs.
• Supervisory or management experience.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Motor Vehicle Operator's License or ability to provide transportation to job sites, meetings, trainings, and professional learning opportunities as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standing (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Walking (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Sitting (frequently, 1/3 – 2/3)
• Reach with hands and arms (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Ability to work outdoors (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Lifting up to 25 lbs. (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Carrying up to 25 lbs. (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Moderate Noise (examples: business office with typewriters and/or computer printers, light traffic)

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Group Health Insurance Plans
• Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability options
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable
• Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA)
• Comprehensive benefit time package
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bereavement time & Religious Holidays
• Credit Union Access
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Network Groups
• Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career!
• Benefit from our exclusive partnership with Springfield College, offering a 15% discount on tuition for next-level degree programs to support your academic and career aspirations!

Based on terms and conditions during your employment, specific to your job classification and collective bargaining agreement.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION STATEMENT:

CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice—ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions—that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.