Grants Manager

Foundation for Defense of Democracies

$85K — $100K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • 2-4 years of experience in grants management, fundraising, nonprofit development, or related programming.
  • Proficiency in Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, DonorSearch, and Candid a plus.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated ability to support senior leadership with discretion and professionalism.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Highly organized and systems-oriented; ability to manage operational complexity.

Responsibilities

  • Manage full lifecycle of assigned foundation grants, from proposal preparation to reporting.
  • Maintain and update grant calendars and ensure compliance with submission deadlines.
  • Conduct ongoing research on foundation funders to identify new funding opportunities.
  • Maintain an active pipeline of prospective funders for long-term revenue growth.
  • Ensure data integrity in grants database and CRM, maintaining accurate records.
  • Manage scheduling for meetings with foundation representatives and internal experts.
  • Collaborate with teams across the organization to support cohesive reporting and stewardship.

Benefits

  • Full-time position with potential for impactful work with foundations.
  • Opportunity to strengthen foundation fundraising efforts in a growing nonprofit.
  • Collaborative work environment alongside senior leadership in grant strategy.
  • Flexibility in coordination of meetings across different time zones.
Full Job Description
Grants Manager

Washington, DC, USA | $85,000-$100,000 per year | Full Time

Reports To: Director of Grants and Special Projects

Candidates must be able to work Eastern Time hours.

Position Summary

The Grants Manager plays a critical role in strengthening and streamlining FDD's foundation fundraising efforts. Working in close partnership with the Director of Grants and Special Projects, this position manages grant operations, improves internal systems, and ensures timely, high-quality submissions and reporting. By owning coordination, research, tracking, and process management, the Grants Manager enables the Director of Grants to focus on strategy, relationship-building, and revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities

Grant Operations & Lifecycle Management
  • Manage the full lifecycle of assigned foundation grants, including proposal preparation, submission, reporting, and renewal tracking, in close coordination with the Director of Grants and Special Projects.
  • Maintain and update grant calendars, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure compliance and on-time submissions.
  • Coordinate with program, finance, and impact staff to gather required data, budgets, and narratives for grant applications and reports.

Prospect Research & Pipeline Development
  • Conduct ongoing research on new and existing foundation funders to identify emerging funding opportunities aligned with FDD's priorities.
  • Maintain an active pipeline of prospective funders and contribute to long-term revenue growth planning for the grants program.
  • Serve as the development team's lead on wealth screening tools and platforms, including DonorSearch and Candid.

Database & Data Integrity
  • Maintain accurate, up-to-date records in the grants database and CRM, ensuring data integrity across the full grant portfolio.
  • Support development team-wide data practices and contribute to the continuous improvement of grants management systems and workflows.

Scheduling, Logistics & Donor Engagement Support
  • Manage complex scheduling for virtual and in-person meetings with foundation representatives and internal subject-matter experts, coordinating across time zones as needed.
  • Prepare agendas, briefing materials, and logistical support for donor-facing meetings and internal grant strategy sessions.
  • Set up meeting rooms with necessary materials and equipment; greet and escort guests as needed.

Team Collaboration & Organizational Alignment
  • Collaborate across the development, policy, research, and finance teams to support cohesive stewardship and reporting.
  • Contribute to team-wide best practices, process improvements, and the continuous refinement of grants operations.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • 2-4 years of experience in grants management, fundraising, nonprofit development, or related programming.
  • Proficiency in Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, DonorSearch, and Candid a plus.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail with an understanding of financial reporting basics..
  • Demonstrated ability to support senior leadership with discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism.
  • Ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Highly organized and systems-oriented; comfortable managing operational complexity with minimal oversight.
  • Discreet and dependable with sensitive information.

Application Requirements
  • Resume
  • Cover letter


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