Job  Board

THE RUTH FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS (Ruth Arts)

Ruth Arts is dedicated to meeting the evolving needs and lived experiences of artists, communities, and arts organizations whose work is anchored by the visual and the performing arts. National in scope, the Foundation reflects the culture and spirit of the Midwest, which long inspired its namesake and benefactor Ruth DeYoung Kohler II. Meaningful support for creative communities and the ethical stewardship of Kohler’s legacy are at the core of the Foundation’s work, and since its start in 2022 the Foundation has provided over 200 arts organizations with over $64 million in grants.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Grants Manager contributes to the overall administration of the Foundation’s grant programs, which include: RDK Legacy, Artist Choice, In Dialogue, Core Grants, Wisconsin Special Projects Grants, Wisconsin Artist Grants, and Ruth Awards.

Reporting to the Senior Grants Manager, the Grants Manager participates in grantmaking activities, including undertaking research, collaborating with colleagues across grant areas, communicating with grantees, jurors, readers, and nominators, and maintaining overall record keeping.

The Grants Manager works collaboratively to ensure timely and thorough completion of all stages of grant workflows including: invitation, selection, agreements, research, and engagement. They are responsible for implementing and maintaining essential structures for grant administration, including grant program calendars and timelines, applications and guidelines, jury/reader/nominator processes, engagement and reporting, and grantee updates. The Grants Manager researches, analyzes, and shares findings on key programs, and provides transparency and accessibility about grant information for grantees, staff, Board members, and partners.

With a thoughtful understanding of the evolving needs of artists and arts organizations, the Grants Manager acts as a collaborator across the Foundation’s activities, contributing thoughtful stewardship and meaningful relationship-building in support of the Foundation’s broader vision and values.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Contributing to an essential aspect of Ruth Arts’ work, the ideal candidate displays a natural curiosity about the role grantmaking plays in the arts ecosystem and therefore approaches their work thoroughly with a deep sense of responsibility and diligence. They are eager to contribute to a generative and thoughtful understanding of the field and instinctively approach this work with creativity and care. With an openness to learning and adapting, they are not easily daunted by new paradigms or shifting courses.

As a natural administrator and problem solver, they uphold Ruth Arts’ values and they utilize their knowledge of visual and performing arts to cultivate meaningful relationships with grantees, collaborators, and community partners to further the Foundation’s mission.

They approach their work with attention to detail and to deadlines, showing that they are dependable and can be trusted to follow through on their concurrently-running projects. They prioritize often, communicate easily, and have the stamina to remain nimble in an ever-evolving work environment. They are adept in many administrative systems and feel confident to self-organize, and ask questions in times of uncertainty.

They show a commitment to building new relationships rooted in openness, reciprocity, and respect. As a liaison, they maintain collegial communications with colleagues, grantees, advisors, jurors/readers/nominators, and visiting guests. They are an outstanding communicator and experienced writer who easily gains the trust and confidence of artists, colleagues, Board of Directors, grantees, partners, and other stakeholders.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Grants Manager has three main areas of focus: Grant Administration, Research & Resources, and Relationship Building.

Grant Administration

● Works closely with the Senior Grants Manager to implement grants management workflow processes and procedures; engages in the continual improvement of grants management processes; writes and follows grants management procedures

● Manages schedules, logistics, and record keeping around grant cycles and grant program initiatives, providing updated reports to the Senior Grants Manager

● Regularly provides grant data, analysis, and generation of reports, including: internal summaries, grant statistics, specialized reports for staff, Board of Directors, and any relevant external communications

● Coordinates with nominators, jurors, readers, and other grant-related advisors

● Manages grantee profiles in grants management software, ensuring accurate and updated information

● Oversee calls, applications, and solicitation processes related to the grant programs; manages reader and juror feedback process and when applicable, supports Program Director and Executive Director in the overall selection process

● Manages nominators, jurors, readers, and thinking partners, including scheduling, drafting guidelines, and communication

● Provides support and technical assistance to current grantees, serving as a point of contact for grants-related issues with the grants management system

● Supports an environment of transparency by maintaining open communication with grantees, colleagues, and community partners

Research & Resources

● Works collaboratively to support short- and long-term research in connection with current and new grant program initiatives, including contextual and thematic research, and prepares clear and concise summaries of this research

● Maintains understanding of other foundations, non-profits, and programs to better understand areas of need and remain informed about emerging practices and processes

● Works collaboratively to research opportunities for support for grantees; develops resources, toolkits, manuals, directories, FAQs, communications, and processes that best serve the grantee pool

Relationship Building

● Works closely with the team to build, maintain, and strengthen the Foundation’s relationships with a diverse group of grantee organizations

● Maintains ongoing communications with grantees, including check-ins and site visits; assists grantees with application and reporting processes

● Contributes to various Foundation activities, outings, and programs

● Other jobs duties as assigned through discussion

ATTRIBUTES

Success at Ruth Arts requires that staff center the following attributes at all times:

Driven by Mission

Ruth Arts is dedicated to meeting the evolving needs and lived experiences of artists, communities, and arts organizations whose work is anchored by the visual and the performing arts. We expect each staff person to be driven by this mission which requires:

● A deep love for the arts

● Understanding or learning to understand the unique role philanthropy plays in arts ecosystems

● An openness to working nimbly and instinctually to meet the shifting needs of artists and organizations as their conditions evolve

● A respect for the unique needs of various art contexts nationwide

● A commitment to honouring Ruth DeYoung Kohler II’s legacy of investing in risk-taking, complex ideas, and the unexpected

Rooted in Hospitality

Ruth Arts believes that hospitality is the single most important foundation on which all our interactions are built. Whether it is interacting with an artist, grantee, vendor, or stakeholder, we expect each staffer to be rooted in hospitality which requires:

● Being motivated by generosity towards others, always

● The ability to empathize with others, and an innate understanding of the public good

● A high level of attention to detail, in effort to ensure people feel cared for and seen

● Grace when things don’t go right and humility when they do

Consideration of Others

Ruth Arts believes in a workplace culture that is supportive to everyone on staff. To accomplish this, we expect each staffer to be deeply considerate of others which requires:

● A high level of discernment and discretion

● Showing initiative to support colleagues, as needed

● Trusting your instincts and adapting as you learn

● Experience working in collaborative environments as a “we” and not an “I”

● Experience or appetite to work in a young, start-up workplace

Strong Work Ethic

Ruth Arts expects each staffer to demonstrate a strong work ethic which requires:

● An ability to manage various projects simultaneously from conception to execution

● Experience self-structuring and maintaining personal deadlines, goals, and deliverables

● The stamina to work as part of a small team where each person is responsible for everything from the big picture thinking to restocking the kitchen cabinets

● The desire to collaborate and work alongside others to see the project through, knowing that many voices serve to strengthen outcomes

HOURS AND LOCATION

Ruth Arts is headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, where this position is based. This position works an eight-hour day, Monday to Friday on a hybrid schedule, subject to change. The primary objectives for travel are grantee relations, site visits, and professional development opportunities. Some travel, weekends, and evenings may be required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Ruth Arts is committed to providing compensation that is competitive and equitable within the arts sector. The position is full-time, exempt. The salary range for this position is $75,000–$80,000, based on experience and qualifications. 

Ruth Arts offers a comprehensive benefits package, including employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums; paid vacation, sick days, and national holidays; a matching 403(b) retirement plan; and Flexible Spending Account (FSA). 

TO APPLY

Please submit your materials here by August 31.

Ruth Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and recognizes that diverse teams make the strongest teams. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact us at jobs@rutharts.org so we can do our best to accommodate you in applying for the role.