Overview:
At Marin Community Foundation, we are committed to fostering a culture of Equity, Innovation, Impact, Transparency, Collaboration, and Joy. We believe that these values are integral to our success as an organization and guide everything we do, from our strategic initiatives to our daily interactions with colleagues and invested parties. As a team, we strive to create positive change in the world while maintaining an inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone can thrive.
Position Purpose:
As the Director for Grants Management, you will oversee the Foundation’s grants management function and manage the Grants Management team. Responsibilities include managing all aspects of the grants management process, such as conducting due diligence, approving grants, and ensuring accurate reporting. You will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with internal policies, laws, and tax rules throughout the grantmaking process. Additionally, you will advise MCF on grantmaking best practices, drive initiatives to improve processes across departments, and implement technology and tools for efficient grant processing.
The Foundation’s grants management team currently consists of 5 staff, who process approximately 6,000 grants annually.
Reports to:
The Director for Grants Management reports to the Chief Financial Officer.
Essential Functions:
• Lead the grantmaking process from recommendation through grant award and reporting by communicating with the team, donors, and grantees.
• Establish grant priorities for due diligence based on risk, and grant complexity.
• Develop, maintain, and ensure team adherence to proper grants management procedures, encompassing due diligence protocols, grant reporting, award letters, grant agreements, and procedures to ensure availability of fund availability.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the grant management team, including training, mentorship, and performance management.
• Monitor the workload of the team and adequately assess capacity.
• Develop and maintain best practices for grantmaking by designing work-flow processes to facilitate grants administration.
• Undertake operational improvement initiatives, special assignments, and research projects identified.
• Represent the Foundation as a compliance leader in the philanthropic field (e.g., Grants Managers Network affinity group).
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with all team members and maintain regular working relationships with other departments and entities across MCF.
• Protect information of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Serve as a liaison, facilitating coordination of competitive grantmaking tasks among Programs, Finance, and Grantees to ensure a streamlined process. Provide technical assistance to MCF program staff and grantees as needed.
• Analyze grantmaking data and trends and prepare business reports for management, the Board, and the Program Committee.
• Offer relationship management services to Virtuoso and Bespoke clients. Provide a high level of service to donors, corporate grantmaking teams, and private foundations by being a part of the core service team in partnership with Philanthropic Partnership advisors.
• Seek new business development opportunities, identifying potential clients interested in utilizing MCF for grant processing services.
• Collaborate with the business development team to promote grantmaking services, including attending prospective client meetings and contributing to proposals.
• Ensure adherence to the Foundation’s Due Diligence Policy, identifying and flagging questions requiring resolution to the appropriate staff. Maintain thorough documentation of due diligence processes and outcomes.
• Engage with legal counsel when appropriate to resolve compliance questions.
• Stay updated on IRS rules and regulations relevant to the grantmaking process, donor-advised funds, and community foundation field. Plan department training as needed to maintain familiarity with current guidelines and procedures.
• Review grantee award letters, grant agreements, and approve grants for payment.
• Collaborate with the Information Technology team on grantmaking systems maintenance and enhancements, which includes identifying and documenting issues, defining requirements for new protocols, and testing new procedures.
• Lead the team through a technology transformation currently underway to migrate from a legacy grants management system to a new grantmaking system.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with colleagues across the Foundation.
• Serve as the relationship lead to the Foundation’s international grant making consultant and oversee international grantmaking process and compliance.
• Initiate process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, increase automation and streamline the grantmaking process.
• Perform additional responsibilities as delegated.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
• BA/BS degree preferred or AA degree in a related field of study and three years of additional work experience as described in the essential functions of the job description.
• Five years of recent and related experience, preferably in the non-profit sector.
• Demonstrate a strong customer service orientation.
• Broad and deep background in various legal and regulatory areas related to grant administration, including grant agreement negotiation, grantmaking to non-U.S. organizations, and IRS rules related to donor control, charitability and other grantmaking restrictions.
• A systems thinker who excels in troubleshooting technical inquiries, including those related to donor and grantee online portals both internally and externally, and managing inquiries.
• Demonstrate meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and precision in all aspects of work.
• Proficient writing, editing, and proofreading skills coupled with the ability to gather and organize information effectively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the ability to effectively learn and utilize additional technology systems used by MCF.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational and prioritization skills, efficiently managing daily tasks, multiple requests, and projects, while handling long-term assignments.
• Possess the ability to work independently as well as in close collaboration with a team.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills encompassing listening, interpersonal, oral, presentation, and written abilities for multiple and diverse audiences.
• Exhibit a high degree of professionalism, judgement, and flexibility, enabling effective collaboration with clients and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to thrive in a team environment. Capable of cultivating and sustaining positive working relationships with Foundation staff, community members, elected officials, the media, colleagues in other foundations, and individuals within the nonprofit sector.
• Exhibit a strong commitment to personal and professional integrity and uphold high ethical standards.
• Demonstrate a passion and deep commitment to Philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.
• Demonstrate a strong passion for, and a commitment to, social change and equity.
How We Work Differently:
• Embrace a learning mindset.
• Work as One Team to eliminate silos and foster cross-functional collaboration.
• Set ambitious goals and hold ourselves accountable.
• Utilize our influence to drive resources for positive social change.
To apply for this position, please send a cover letter and resume to careers@marincf.org.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California laws, it is the policy of Marin Community Foundation to provide reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or candidate with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship for Marin Community Foundation. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of the hiring process. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources.