About Leadership Brainery

Position Type: Full-Time

Location: Boston, MA. This position requires working in person a minimum of three days per week. 

Schedule: Full-time. Occasional evenings and weekends are required.

Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision

Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

 

Description

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The Grants Manager reports to the Director of Development and is responsible for managing and owning all aspects of Leadership Brainery’s (LB) grants portfolio. This includes identifying, researching, cultivating, writing, submitting, and reporting on grant opportunities from foundation, corporate, and government funding sources.

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Currently, LB’s grant portfolio consists of 10–15 foundation funders, representing approximately $500,000 in annual revenue. A core priority for this role is to significantly grow the portfolio to $800,000 and beyond, with a strategic focus on securing multi-year grants that offer long-term funding stability.

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In addition to managing the grants portfolio, the Manager will contribute to the broader success of LB’s Development Team by offering support for fundraising events, donor communications, and strategic initiatives as needed. While grants management remains the primary focus, this position is designed with built-in flexibility to support cross-functional development goals, especially during high-volume periods or special campaigns.

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The Manager will work closely with program and operations teams to ensure proposals are aligned with LB’s organizational goals, outcomes, and funding needs. The ideal candidate is a highly organized, detail-oriented, and strategic professional with excellent writing, research, and relationship-management skills. This position offers a meaningful opportunity to secure and steward critical resources that power LB’s mission to advance education and economic equity for underrepresented communities.

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Key Responsibilities

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Grant Writing and Management:

• Research and identify grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies that align with LB’s mission and programs.

• Write and submit compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and funding applications tailored to funder guidelines and priorities.

• Collaborate with the program, operations, and communications teams to develop accurate budgets, narratives, and supporting documentation for grant applications.

• Maintain a grants calendar to track deadlines, submission statuses, and reporting requirements.

• Standardize and maintain a grants library with templates and language for grant proposals to ensure consistency and efficiency.

• Ensure 100% on-time submission of all proposals and reports.

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Grant Reporting:

• Prepare and submit progress reports, financial updates, and other required materials to funders in compliance with grant agreements.

• Collaborate with program, operations, and Strategic Alliance staff to collect data and impact stories that demonstrate the effectiveness of LB’s initiatives.

• Maintain regular communication with funders, providing updates and ensuring strong relationships.

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Stewardship:

• Secure at least 5 new funders annually.Represent LB at current and prospective funder events (during and after normal business hours).

• Facilitate check-ins and cultivation meetings/activities. 

• Maintain a 90%+ renewal rate for existing funders.

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Prospect Research:

• Conduct research to identify prospective funding sources, including new foundations, corporate giving programs, and government agencies.

• Research funders of our program partners to find overlap and alignment.  

• Stay informed about trends in grant funding, higher education, and workforce development to identify emerging opportunities.

• Secure at least 5 new funders annually.

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Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with the two-person Development team to align grant activities with LB’s overall fundraising strategy.

• Support cross-departmental collaboration to ensure grant-funded initiatives are executed effectively and meet funder expectations.

• Assist with fundraising campaigns and events as needed to integrate grant prospects and funders.

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Data Management and Compliance:

• Maintain accurate records physically on-site and electronically in LB’s CRM system, including grant submissions, reporting timelines, and funder communications.

• Ensure compliance with all grant requirements, including tracking spending and outcomes against approved budgets.

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Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, with 3+ years of grant writing or nonprofit development experience.

• Proven track record of securing at least  $500K in grants from private and public foundations in a single fiscal year.

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively.

• Skilled at pivoting and segmenting language to appeal to different stakeholders. 

• Competent skills in relationship management, strategic thinking, problem-solving, innovative solutions, and adaptability.

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.

• Proficiency utilizing CRM systems (Bonterra products, Network for Good, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce), donor databases, and research tools (Impala, Candid).

• Proficiency utilizing online tools for project management (Asana).

• Knowledge of nonprofit budgeting and financial reporting.

• Passion for advancing educational and economic equity.

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What We Offer:

• Competitive salaried compensation ($70,000–$75,000 per year) – based on experience.

• Generous benefits, including three weeks of paid vacation and medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• $1,500 professional development stipend.  

• A beautiful and inspiring workplace on Beacon Street in Boston’s historic Back Bay neighborhood. Enjoy local restaurants and parks, or scroll down the Charles River Esplanade for lunch. 

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