Grants Manager

Sunlight Giving is a private family foundation that supports local, regional and national organizations that ensure young children and their families living in poverty in greater Silicon Valley have access to the resources they need. Sunlight Giving is one part of a family of philanthropic entities we collectively refer to as Wildcard Giving. In addition to Sunlight Giving, Wildcard Giving includes two “sister” donor advised funds, Acton Family Giving and Solidarity Giving. Together, they are committed to community through a common set of values, grantmaking practices, and staff. Wildcard Giving believes in an individual’s right to dignity, agency, justice, and self-determination and its giving works to further civic values, collective responsibility, and our common humanity.

This position will focus on Sunlight Giving, which has a yearly grantmaking budget of $25M, distributed through approximately 300 grants. The Grants Manager is responsible for grant-related administration and management. They design, implement, and monitor workflow processes and procedures for grantmaking, including the application, review, grants meeting, and award activities for the entities. The Grants Manager is also involved in the initial screening of potential grantees and monitoring ongoing grants. The Grants Manager works closely with grantees, staff, board members, and outside vendors to ensure the smooth operation of the foundation. As a critical member of the Wildcard Giving team, attendance in our office is an essential function of this job.

Principal Responsibilities:

Grants Management

• Coordinate grantmaking tasks between program staff, administrative staff, and vendors so that grantmaking activities are smoothly implemented;
• With program staff, track grants budget including future scheduled payments; 
• Maintain calendars and timeline for grantmaking cycles, including meeting schedules, application submission deadlines, and internal deadlines; 
• Prepare and copy edit meeting materials in collaboration with program staff including grant-level summaries, budgets, memos, and/or other materials. Compile all grant materials in accordance with grantmaking policies and procedures and within deadlines outlined in our internal guidelines;
• Provide technical support to applicants, collect grantee feedback, make recommendations and implement changes as needed to ensure a smooth and accessible application process;
• Maintain grant records in the database, including tracking applications and grantee payments;
• With the Finance team, provide requested grant-related information for annual audits;
• Ensure operations, grantmaking policies and procedures are followed by staff, grantees, and applicants;
• Support strategic planning activities which may include collating historical grants data, and responding to other data and/or information needs;
• Participate in Grants Management team meetings and professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date on developments in the field and compliance requirements, attend related conferences, meetings, and other events and report findings back to team;
• Participate in Wildcard Giving activities to build cohesive, collegial culture and encourage cross-organizational learning; and 
• Undertake special projects as assigned or initiated.

Program Support

• Maintain a thorough knowledge of the priorities and grantee selection criteria for all assigned programs;
• Serve as first point of contact in compiling, reviewing and responding to letters of inquiry and unsolicited grant requests. Refer inquiries to program staff, if necessary, communicate decisions and decision rationale to grant seekers orally and/or in writing; and
• Conduct due diligence (gathering background information, history, organizational data) on potential and prospective grantees to inform the review process and ensure the eligibility of prospective grantees in the early phase of consideration.

Administration

• Coordinate communication among grantees, program staff, and board members, including responding to mail, email and telephone inquiries;
• With other staff, coordinate meeting logistics for board meetings, off-sites and retreats, including materials, meals, and travel;
• Maintain assigned website information, including coordinating contractors and ensuring content is accurate, current and consistently updated (e.g., grants lists, end of year reporting, etc.); 
• Provide administrative support to the Board President for other philanthropic volunteer work as needed; and
• Track and renew memberships and subscriptions to journals and other publications.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS or equivalent experience;
• Minimum of three years’ substantive administrative and operational experience; 
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and the tenacity to see tasks through to completion in an accurate and thoughtful manner; 
• Proven ability to prioritize and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and deadlines;
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and work independently, as well as with others, in a collaborative, often fast-paced, team environment; 
• Ability to objectively analyze a situation and evaluate pros and cons of any course of action;
• Ability to think and act decisively about program and operational issues;
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy;
• Excellent customer service skills with emphasis on respectful and tactful communications;
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including proofreading and copy editing;
• Strong information technology skills, including proven advanced experience with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, and database programs; 
• Demonstrated commitment to Wildcard Giving’s values and beliefs; 
• Empathy and respect for those who do the hard work of developing and raising money for programs and organizations; and
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and discretion about confidential matters.

Office Location 

Our office is in Palo Alto, CA. As approved by your manager, you may also work intermittently from home or at a partner office in San Francisco. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our entire team works remotely full-time and is not currently traveling for any internal or external meetings. We plan a phased return to the office and to site visits, based upon guidance from local/state public health officials. 

Hours: Full time, non-exempt. Company hours are 9am – 5pm. Your schedule will be set in collaboration with your manager. 

Reports to: Operations Director

Starting Salary: $75,000 - $87,500 DOE

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401K retirement matching contributions, Flexible Spending Account/Dependent Care Account, and more.                                                  

To Apply: Please email your resume, a short cover letter explaining how your experience, skills, and interests make you a great candidate for this position, and salary requirements to: 

• Erin O’Donohue, Operations Director
• E-mail: careers@sunlightgiving.org

Application Deadline: October 29, 2021

Hiring Process and Timeline:

On a rolling basis: Phone interviews scheduled to discuss general qualifications and give more detail about the position and our organization

Through November 19: Video interviews will be held

Ideal Start Date: December 6

Sunlight Giving is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment and our company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, citizenship, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, military service, legally protected medical condition or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. 

All final candidates must provide three relevant employment references, and be able to verify the right to work in the United States.