Grants Manager

Job Title: Grants Manager 

Department: Grants Management & Learning (GM&L) 

Employment Status: Exempt 

Location: Oakland, CA, hybrid work schedule and regular attendance for in-person meetings and grantee activities in Oakland, CA is required. Not a remote position.  

Reports to: Chief Program Officer 

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION  

The Kenneth Rainin Foundation (Rainin Foundation) is a family foundation that collaborates with creative thinkers to enhance quality of life by championing the arts, promoting early childhood literacy, and supporting research to cure chronic disease. Founded in 2008, the organization believes in taking smart risks to achieve breakthroughs. Today, with a team of over 30 and total annual grants of approximately $19.0 million, the Foundation supports visionary artists in the Bay Area, creates opportunities for Oakland’s youngest learners, and funds researchers on the forefront of scientific discoveries to cure chronic disease. Through grantmaking and operations, the Foundation embraces the values of collaboration, interdependence, creativity and equity. Inherent in our core values is a belief in compassion, respect, humor and joy.  

ABOUT THE TEAM 

At the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, Grants Management & Learning (GM&L) is more than a function. It's a crucial pillar that stewards a trust-based, compliant, efficient, equitable, and interconnected grantmaking and learning practice. The three-person team of the Grants Associate, Grants & Learning Officer, and Grants Manager are responsive to the learning and strategic needs of the Foundation's applicants, grantees, staff and external collaborators. GM&L, in close collaboration with the Communications, Finance, Programs, and Executive Teams, plays a pivotal role in actualizing the Foundations mission and values. 

ABOUT THE POSITION  

The Grants Manager will be the latest member to join the GM&L team. The role reports to the Chief Program Officer and will be responsible for leading the GM&L team providing strategic direction for the grant-making process, knowledge management, data analysis, and training functions for the GM&L team. This role manages both the Grants Associate and Grants Management & Learning Officer.   

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Strategic Grants Management 

Ensures that Foundation grantmaking is smoothly implemented, including: 

• Monitors and guides effective and consistent usage of the GMS (GivingData) by staff, including developing and implementing training to support internal and external users; 

• Supports sustainable development of and adherence to trust-based grantmaking policies and practices; 

• Acts as KRF’s internal subject matter expert around grantmaking legal and compliance questions, identifying and addressing potential risks in consultation with the CFO, CPO and Program team; 

• Advises the Program team on considerations related to grant design and structure, reporting requirements, and payment schedules based on factors such as nature and length of relationship, funding commitment level, and other factors; 

• Establishes and ensures compliance with grant documentation retention policies; 

• Ensures comprehensive and accurate records of correspondence and payments are maintained; 

• Generates recurring and ad hoc reports and analyses using GMS data to support programmatic, strategic, and operational planning and decision-making; 

• Liaises with the Finance team to reconcile GMS data with the accounting system; 

• Forecasts and tracks foundation payout to meet legal requirements and program goals;  

• Produces monthly grant payout and subsequent documents.  Monitors and compiles monthly financial projections for Finance team; 

• Prepares monthly and annual grantmaking reports; responds to outside surveys and requests for information; 

• Documents grants management policies and procedures; 

• Ensures GivingData (GMS) documentation are current and plan annual training calendar; and   

• Produces the annual grantmaking auditor’s and tax reports in collaboration with the Finance team.  

Knowledge Management, Learning & Evaluation 

Optimizes the functionality and utility of the grants management database system in service to the Foundation’s grantmaking, knowledge management, learning and evaluation: 

• Ensures data integrity and accuracy in the Grants Management System (GMS);  

• Uses grants data, data visualization and other tools to interpret, report and present the Foundation’s grantmaking for internal and external audiences; 

• Helps to develop and implement quality control procedures to safeguard the accuracy of the grants data; 

• Supports the GM Team in developing and training the Board, Executive Team and Staff on the GMS and other grants management topics;   

• Creates reports and dashboards, advise and assist staff in database searches; and 

• Serves as Foundation liaison to GMS vendor and team.  

Collaboration and Leadership 

• Facilitates transparency and cross-departmental communications among Foundation teams; 

• Participates in and leads meetings to produce collaborative work products & improve processes; 

• Participates actively in staff meetings and cross-departmental teams; 

• Serves on Foundation-wide working groups and taskforce; 

• Maintains best practices in the field by attending workshops, webinars and conferences; and 

• Participates in PEAK Grantmaking and other sector-wide organizations, using learnings to educate and improve internal policies and processes. 

We’re looking for someone 
who brings…  

• 5-7 years of strategic grants management experience. 

• Experience managing and coaching team members. 

• Previous GivingData grants management system experience. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. 

• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills. 

• Rigorous attention to detail and analytical skills. 

• Strong project management skills and experience. 

• Comfort with quantitative data, budgets, and financial information. 

• A pro-active, collaborative attitude and a desire to grow one’s own cultural competence and a dedication to participate in the Foundation’s work to integrate justice and equity into all facets of our work. 

who is…  

• Passionate about the “how” of grantmaking and the field of grants management.  

• Able to take initiative and drive work with moderate supervision and guidance. 

• A strong team player (no job is too small or too big). 

• Flexible, has a sense of humor, and can work in ambiguity.. 

• Emotionally intelligent and able to build strong relationships that inspire openness and trust. 

• Committed to the Foundation’s mission and open-minded and committed to honest, candid conversations and self-reflection about race, racial justice and equity. 

• An active and supportive participant in building and maintaining a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture. 

• Intellectually curious, insightful, and resourceful. 

• Able to handle confidential information with complete discretion. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS  

The salary range for this position is $125,000-155,000, commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience. Rainin offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Long -Term disability at no cost to the employee. 12% contribution to your 401K, paid winter break every December, and generous paid time off policies. Detailed information and terms about our benefits are available upon hire.  

Rainin embraces diversity. We believe that our team is strengthened through hiring and retaining employees with diverse backgrounds, skillsets, ideas, and perspectives. We make hiring decisions based upon merit and do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or marital, veteran, or disability status. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit your resume with a cover letter explaining how your interests and background align with this position.  

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the ADA and related state laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in how things are typically done, ensuring an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the company.  Please contact our HR team if you need assistance participating in the application process. 

Are you excited about this role but don’t meet every single requirement? The Rainin Foundation is committed to fostering a learning organization and building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other future roles.