Job Summary:

The Grants Manager is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting foundations, businesses, and local and national partner organizations in support of NRCM’s overall fundraising efforts. Conducts research on potential funders, coordinates proposal and letter of inquiry preparation, and prepares grant reports to secure funding among five advocacy program areas, general operating support, endowment, and special-interest topics. Serves as an active participant on the Philanthropy team.

Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent nonprofit development experience.
2. Three to five years of direct grant writing experience with a successful record of securing grant awards of at least $2,500+; experience securing awards of $25,000+ is a plus but not required. Experience securing funding for environmental issues preferred.
3. Excellent writing and editing skills and ability to translate highly technical information into easily understood text.
4. Strong computer proficiency. Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel preferred. Experience with a relational database helpful; EveryAction preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Ability to develop an understanding of NRCM’s mission and activities and the roles played by its staff, board of directors, volunteers, and organizational partners, as well as other interested individuals.
2. Ability to organize and successfully manage a heavy workload and to conduct oneself in a professional and discreet manner in dealings with NRCM personnel, partners, and funders.
3. Ability to stay current with environmental issues outside NRCM’s current programs. Evaluate impacts and opportunities for NRCM’s advocacy and fundraising.
4. Project management experience and comfort navigating financial statements desirable.

Supervisor: Senior Director of Philanthropy

Status: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt

Union Eligible Position: Yes

Job Responsibilities:

Grants Program:

1. Identify and secure funding for NRCM’s general operating fund, five advocacy programs, and related special initiatives. Determine a match between institutional needs and initiatives and the funding priorities of organizations. Prospect for new funders through regular research, news monitoring, professional networks, and board member

connections.

1. Write and submit proposals for support according to funder requirements and deadlines. Collaborate with colleagues across the organization to source current and accurate content for proposals, including advocacy initiatives, relevant member relationships, budgetary needs, and organizational financialstanding.
2. Play an active role in funder stewardship through verbal, written, and electronic communications, keeping funders well-informed of the activities taking place within the project area which they funded. Act as a representative of NRCM and as a resource of knowledge for both funders and NRCM staff members – responding to questions and comments regarding project and funding status. Conduct phone and in- person meetings as needed to maintain and advance relationships. Meet all funder reporting deadlines and requirements.
3. Work with the Katahdin Circle and Membership teams to develop strategies for soliciting donors for increased support and/or special project funding. Provide assistance by writing funding requests and reports to major donors on specified issue areas as needed, and helping to secure business sponsorships for member events including the Dip & Dash.
4. Analyze fundraising trends and emerging funder interests and priorities to inform internal budget projections and expand organizational capacity.
5. Perform revenue projections and monitor grant income to track contributions to the organizational budget.
6. Keep current on NRCM’s advocacy through attendance at regularly scheduled project team meetings and at occasional advocacy events.
7. Promote NRCM’s position on DEIJ-related topics to foundations and major donors in conjunction with the DEIJ Committee and Communications teams.
8. Use EveryAction to record and track funder research, letters of inquiry, proposals, cultivation and stewardship actions, communications, and the results of funding requests. Ensure that the database contains accurate, current contact information on foundation and business funders and prospects.

Additional Responsibilities:

1. Research major donors. Utilize in-house research software as well as online tools to provide the CEO and the major gifts team with up-to-date background information on existing and prospective major donors, including prospects’ histories with the organization, motivations for philanthropy, and recommendations for solicitations.
2. Manage NRCM’s Charity Navigator and Guidestar non-profit ratings platforms used by donors to evaluate our work. Ensure NRCM maintains a four-star rating with Charity Navigator, and the highest possible Guidestar.Org Seal of Transparency level (currently Platinum).
3. Develop and annually update NRCM’s IRS Form 990 program descriptions in coordination with the Director of Finance.

Common NRCM Job Responsibilities

NRCM is committed to a positive work culture where diversity is honored and respected. To this end, all employees are expected to:

Maintain positive and productive working relationships with all NRCM staff members and also with NRCM’s members, external partners, policymakers, and the general public. This includes proactive work on understanding and addressing issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; providing and receiving constructive feedback; and a willingness to resolve conflicts constructively.

1. Participate in organizational meetings and activities as requested, such as monthly staff meetings, trainings, and ad hoc planning committees.
2. Complete all administrative work on time, such as time sheets, purchase orders, project reports, and planning documents.
3. Be familiar with and follow organizational protocols and policies.

Physical Requirements of the Job

The job requires working at a computer station for substantial lengths of time; performing office duties such as phoning, filing, and copying, and the ability to lift objects up to 10 pounds.

NRCM will provide reasonable accommodation to employees with disabilities where appropriate. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case- by-case basis.

Workplace Environment

NRCM strives to provide a supportive work environment through fair and competitive compensation and benefits, up-to-date equipment and IT support, adequate supervision, and ongoing professional development. The work environment is friendly, fun, cooperative, and very fast-paced. Staff members need to be able to work independently and adapt to changing priorities.

NRCM is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion, physical/mental ability, sexual orientation, or national origin. NRCM will provide reasonable accommodation to employees with disabilities where appropriate. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Compensation

NRCM is committed to providing fair and competitive compensation to its employees. We base our compensation decisions on:

1. A biennial market survey of comparable organizations and localities
2. An evaluation of employee qualifications that does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, race, religion, physical/mental ability, sexual orientation or national origin
3. High employee performance that advances our strategic plan and other organizational priorities.
4. Availability of financial resources for the organization.