Job Description

Title: Grants Manager  

Employment Status : Full-time Hourly non-exempt; 40 hours a week with occasional evening/weekends 

Location: Remote (within WA State) or Hybrid (Tacoma, WA) 

Reports to: Development Director 

Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision with 100% employee premium paid by the organization; Paid vacation, sick time & holidays; Expense, Mileage & Phone Reimbursement; Employer-contributed retirement after 1 year 

Compensation: $33.65 - $38.45 per hour DOE 

Travel: Occasional regional travel (WA State) required 

ABOUT COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF WASHINGTON 

For over 30 years, Communities In Schools of Washington (CISWA), in partnership with the 12 local network affiliates (10 independent 501(c)(3) organizations and 2 emerging organizations) across Washington state has been striving for equity in educational opportunities. The state office is a small, high-energy office that has a history of strong operations and successful outcomes built upon community partnerships. Driven by our core values of collaboration, opportunity, access, and transformation and in adherence to the CIS National guidelines, the state office works to ensure that all affiliates and their Boards of Directors have the tools and capacity to provide and sustain strong student programs and services in their local communities as they work directly inside K-12 schools supporting students who have historically been furthest from educational justice.    

JOB SUMMARY 

The Grants Manager is a key member of CISWA’s Resource Development team, managing a diverse portfolio of public and private grants to support both the State Office and its affiliate network. This role oversees the full grant lifecycle, from strategy and prospecting to proposal development, compliance, and reporting, while helping to build and steward strong relationships with funders. The Grants Manager also maintains accurate donor records, supports timely correspondence and acknowledgements, and works collaboratively across teams to ensure alignment and compliance. The ideal candidate is a strong writer and highly organized professional capable of working both independently and collaboratively. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  

Grants Strategy & Pipeline Management 

• In collaboration with the Development Director and Executive Leadership, design and execute a comprehensive grants and sponsorship strategy aligned with organizational goals. 

• Manage a dynamic and high-volume grants portfolio of $500,000 (50-60 funders) with a growth target of $750,000 over the next 2 years to achieve revenue goals. 

• Conduct ongoing prospect research and assess alignment of new and existing funders with CISWA’s mission, including private foundations, corporate funders, and government agencies, with an emphasis on expanding the public funding portfolio. 

• Maintain a comprehensive grants calendar, tracking deadlines for applications, renewals, reports, and stewardship activities. 

Grant Writing & Submission 

• Lead preparation and submission of compelling, tailored, and polished proposals. 

• Collaborate with program, finance, and data teams to gather necessary narratives, performance metrics, and budgets. 

• Create and maintain proposal templates and supporting documentation to streamline future proposals and provide resources to the network. 

Post-Award Management & Compliance 

• Oversee grant administration and compliance, including budgeting, reporting, documentation, subrecipient agreements, and communications with funders. 

• Ensure internal processes align with funder and legal requirements; conduct periodic internal reviews of expenditures and deliverables. 

• Provide guidance and support to staff responsible for program implementation and reporting to ensure program fidelity and compliance with grant expectations. 

Funder Relations & Stewardship 

• Serve as a primary point of contact for grant funders as appropriate; support cultivation efforts, impact presentations, and site visits. 

• Track funder communications and touchpoints to ensure ongoing engagement.  

Reporting & Data Management 

• Collaborate with program and data teams to demonstrate impact through high-quality reports that elevate student and family outcomes. 

• Generate internal reports and dashboards to monitor progress; maintain accurate and timely records in the organization’s CRM database.  

Collaboration & Network Support 

• Support affiliate network grant readiness and collaborative proposals, including capacity-building for emerging affiliates. 

• Contribute to a culture of shared learning and continuous improvement by developing internal tools, trainings, and shared resources. 

General Duties 

• Build strong relationships across the CISWA network to promote a culture of collaboration. 

• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development as needed. 

• Maintain ethical and professional standards as a CISWA representative. 

• Performs other duties as assigned in a small team-oriented nonprofit office. 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS 

Core Competencies & Skills 

The ideal candidate for the Grants Manager role brings a mix of technical expertise, strong communication, and a deep commitment to CISWA’s mission. Candidates meeting these requirements typically have 4 or more years of experience in a similar role. Key competencies and skills include: 

• Grants Expertise: Deep understanding of best practices across the full grant lifecycle, including prospecting, writing, compliance, and reporting. Familiarity with public and private funding streams and knowledge of grant management software and databases. Proven track record of securing six-figure grants. Experience with a collaborative fundraising, federated networks, and/or educational equity a plus. 

• Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving: Demonstrates an entrepreneurial mindset and solution-oriented approach. Uses data and evidence to inform strategies, track progress, and continuously improve outcomes. 

• Strong Communication Skills: Exceptional writing and editing abilities, including accuracy, grammar, and clarity under deadline. Comfortable tailoring messages to diverse audiences and communicating technical or impact-related content in a concise and compelling way. 

• Time Management & Planning: Proven ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and anticipate challenges. 

• Relationship Building & Collaboration: Builds and sustains positive relationships with funders, partners, and colleagues. Uses interpersonal skills to foster collaboration and advance the organization’s goals. 

• Administrative & Technical Proficiency: Competent with Microsoft Office Suite and CRM systems (e.g., Little Green Light). Maintains accurate records, enters data reliably, and uses internal systems effectively. 

• Equity & Inclusion Mindset: Demonstrates a commitment to personal and professional growth in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

• Professionalism & Integrity: Comfortable working with individuals across roles and skill levels. Maintains professionalism, attention to detail, and a high standard of quality in all communications and deliverables. 

• Mission-Driven: Passionate about making a difference in the lives of students and families, and motivated by CISWA’s commitment to educational equity. 

Other Requirements 

• Must have access to reliable transportation and ability to travel occasionally. 

• Able to work occasional evenings and weekends. 

BENEFITS  

• Medical/Dental/Vision (100% of employee premiums paid by the company)   

• 15 days paid vacation  

• 15 paid holidays  

• Sick time   

• Employer-paid life insurance policy  

• 403b Retirement account with employer contributions after 1 year   

• Expense, Cell phone and Mileage reimbursement     

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