Job Summary

Are you passionate about making a difference in the world? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where your strategic thinking and relationship-building skills can drive impactful change? We're seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Manager of Grants & Foundations to join our team! The Manager of Grants & Foundations plays a key role in generating vital financial support for the organization. You’ll research funding opportunities, build strong partnerships with foundations, write high-quality proposals and steward funders with care and clarity. From prospecting to reporting, you’ll manage the full lifecycle of grants and help fuel programs that directly support communities across Oklahoma.

A Day in the Life

Annual Planning and Strategy:

• Develop an annual plan that includes identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding activities for approximately 120 foundations.
• Place special emphasis on reporting and submission deadlines.

Research and Funding Identification:

• Identify and research new funding opportunities for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.
• Use the internet with prospect researcher, relationships with existing funders and information obtained from Regional Food Bank staff and volunteers.

Grant Writing and Management:

• Write and serve as the primary grant writer for all grants and proposals produced by the Regional Food Bank.
• Manage grant processes from identification, solicitation and reporting.

Foundation Relations:

• Serve as the primary contact for all grant and foundation related questions, except for a small group of foundations that work with the CEO and Chief Advancement Officer.
• Cultivate personal relationships with foundation program officers, Regional Food Bank staff, volunteers, community heads and others as appropriate to solicit and submit funding requests to foundations.

Grant Application and Submission:

• Submit grant requests to foundations through various methods, including letters requesting financial support, letters of inquiry, full grant proposals and formal presentations.
• Provide funding request information for funding applications and reports in formats consistent with the Regional Food Bank’s policies.

Foundation Outreach and Engagement:

• Conduct tours and run presentations for foundations, granting organizations and other community groups.
• Coordinate foundation site visits to the Regional Food Bank, and when appropriate, include other team members.
• Steward new and existing foundation donors through required grant reporting, in-person meetings and supplemental stewardship reports.

Financial Management:

• Work with Regional Food Bank accounting, database and program staff to ensure that all foundation and grant gifts are credited in the Regional Food Bank’s accounting systems and used according to donor guidelines.

Special Events and Publicity:

• Work with others to recognize donors as needed.
• Obtain publicity as necessary for gifts by working with the Regional Food Bank’s marketing and communications team.

Data Management and Follow-Up:

• Maintain current foundation and grant information in the Regional Food Bank’s database.
• This includes key foundation contacts, proposal details, foundation summaries and upcoming deadlines.
• Track the status of requests for funding and follow up when necessary.