Foundation Grants Manager

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Kansas City hybrid preferred; open to fully remote applicants
Salary: $100,000

About the role

The Foundation Grants Manager will lead the IAAP Foundation’s external grant-seeking efforts, including researching, cultivating, and securing corporate and foundation grant funding that advances the Foundation’s mission and long-term sustainability. This role manages the full grant lifecycle from prospect research through proposal writing, submission, compliance, and reporting, while building strong relationships with funders. Exceptional writing and research skills, strong financial literacy, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and funder relationships with professionalism and discretion are required.

Responsibilities

• Grant Strategy and Prospect Research
  • Researches, identifies, and evaluates corporate, foundation, and grant funding opportunities aligned with the Foundation’s mission and strategic priorities.
  • Builds and maintains a grant prospect pipeline and calendar tracking application deadlines, funding cycles, and reporting requirements.
  • Monitors trends in philanthropic and grant funding relevant to associations and the administrative profession.
• Grant Writing and Submission
  • Writes, edits, and submits compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and funding applications.
  • Coordinates with internal team members to gather program information, budgets, and supporting data needed for proposals.
  • Ensures all submissions are accurate, complete, and submitted ahead of funder deadlines.
• Grant Compliance and Reporting
  • Tracks grant awards and ensures funds are used and reported in accordance with funder requirements and internal controls.
  • Prepares and submits timely financial and narrative reports to funders.
  • Maintains organized grant files and documentation in accordance with the records retention policy.
• Funder Relationship Management
  • Cultivates and stewards relationships with corporate and foundation funders, including regular communication and recognition.
  • Represents the Foundation in meetings and communications with current and prospective funders.
  • Supports donor and funder communications in partnership with Foundation leadership and the Marketing team.
• Member/Donor Relationship Management & Community Fundraising
  • Cultivates and stewards positive relationships with member donors.
  • Collaborates with the CEO and Marketing team in alignment with the Foundation Board’s vision and strategy to execute community fundraising campaigns, maintaining engagement with the IAAP community while balancing operational capacity and resource management.
  • Actively promotes a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization by championing and modeling the spirit of generosity.
• Collaboration and Strategic Support
  • Partners with the CEO to align grant strategy with Foundation and IAAP organizational priorities.
  • Provides regular progress reports on the grant pipeline, funding status, and fundraising results.
  • Supports preparation of materials for the Foundation Board related to grants and fundraising progress.
  • Collaborates with the Finance and Operations team on grant budgeting, expense tracking, and reconciliation.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of experience in grant writing, grants management, or nonprofit development, with a demonstrated record of securing grant funding.
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills, with the ability to translate program information into compelling funding proposals.
• Strong financial literacy, including experience with budgets and grant financial reporting.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and funder relationships simultaneously.
• Proven ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment with minimal oversight.

Preferred Qualifications

• Credential related to fundraising and/or grant seeking (e.g., CFRE, GPC).
• Experience working with associations or membership organizations.
• Familiarity with grant management and prospect research tools (e.g., Foundation Directory Online, Instrumentl, GiveButter, Asana).
• Experience with foundation and corporate grant applications specifically.
• Exposure to nonprofit board reporting and fundraising communications.

Skills

• Alignment to IAAP’s culture, purpose, strategy, and leadership philosophy.
• High awareness of and attention to detail.
• Initiative, good judgment, problem-solving skills, and ability to take appropriate action.
• Self-directed and able to work independently; plans work and carries out tasks without detailed instructions.
• Critical thinker with the ability to see the big picture and connect it to task work.
• Ability to lead by example and support strategic initiatives.
• Strong relationship-building skills; enjoys engaging with various types of people and personalities.
• Effective listening and response to questions; resolves problems.
• Embraces change, innovation, and continuous improvement and influences others to do the same.
• Ability to analyze and interpret information and apply it appropriately to recommendations and decisions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate discretion.
• Strong data and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional approach in all communications.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from diverse groups of individuals (internal team members, external customers and vendors, board members, etc.).
• Ensures understanding by asking clarifying questions and restates understanding for confirmation.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• May be required to lift or move up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to hear and speak effectively with customers by telephone or video chat.
• Requires keyboarding capabilities to respond using a computer.
• Visual acuity to read and develop written materials.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and using the computer.
• Typically in a normal office or home office environment but travel requirements result in other work settings at event venues.
• Must be able to concentrate/focus with constant interruptions.
• May be required to work some overtime.