Organization: United Way of the Midlands
Job Title: Grant Manager, Prospects
Department: Community Investments and Analytics
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Location: Omaha, NE
UWM’s Mission: To UNITE our community’s CARING SPIRIT to build a STRONGER tomorrow.
UWM Guiding Principles:
- Build TRUST in everything we do
- Extend GRACE by thinking beyond yourself
- Show GRIT by bringing it every day
- Be OPEN to embrace others’ differences
- Actively ENGAGE by listening and sharing
- Live CURIOUSLY to learn constantly
As an organization that has been around for 100 years, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has served the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro by bridging the business and not-for-profit sectors to create a Circle of Support that helps our neighbors overcome difficult challenges and start building a better future. UWM’s funded programs and direct services address social and economic disparities and meet families’ essential needs such as healthy food, safe and stable housing, physical and mental health services, career preparation, and job training. We are also diligently working to learn more about the experiences of different communities and to strive for inclusivity and equity so individuals and families can lead the best lives possible.
The Prospect Grant Manager will play a pivotal role in identifying, pursuing, and securing new funding opportunities through grants and proposals. While the majority of new prospects will be focused toward supporting UWM’s direct service initiative, this role should also consider expanding potential funding for UWM’s Community Impact Fund. This position works closely with the Donor Engagement team to ensure coordination and avoid duplication of efforts. UWM is adding this position to our team with the expectation that the prospects grant manager will demonstrate the ability to generate revenue that justifies the role in the long term. We’re looking for a can-do teammate who can think creatively, and work collaboratively, to secure new donors to partner with UWM and fund essential programs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Grant Research and Identification: Conduct comprehensive research to identify potential grant opportunities that align with the organization’s mission and goals. Stay updated on funding trends, policies, and priorities relevant to the organization’s areas of focus.
- Proposal Development: Develop high-quality grant proposals, including budgets, narratives, and supporting documents, in collaboration with relevant team members. Ensure that proposals are submitted in a timely manner and adhere to the requirements of funding agencies.
- Reporting: Collaborate with finance and data teams to compile and submit grant-related data for reporting purposes. Prepare comprehensive and compelling reports on grant activities, funding status, and other relevant metrics for funders.
- Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain relationships with funders, program officers, and other stakeholders to enhance the organization’s visibility and competitiveness in securing grants. Collaborate with internal teams to gather necessary information and insights for proposal development.
- Coordination and Collaboration: Work closely with other departments to identify funding needs and opportunities, ensuring alignment of grant-seeking efforts. Coordinate with team members to avoid duplication of grant applications and maximize efficiency in resource allocation.
- Meeting Facilitation: Prepare for and facilitate grants meetings with grants manager. Lead conversations related to specific grant opportunities with a well-researched understanding of the prospect, their interests, and typical funding awards. Ensure all team members are aligned and equipped with relevant information for successful proposal development.
- Grant Review: Support entire grants portfolio with additional content review on grants/letters authored by other teammembers. Be gracious in your feedback. Be open and gracious in receiving feedback on review of your grants as well.
- Administrative Duties: Responsible for the integrity and accuracy of the grants portfolio pipeline. Track and update regularly to ensure accurate and up-to-date information on grant status. Coordinate with team members to ensure that data is complete and accessible for senior leadership’s review and decision-making.
- Performance Evaluation: Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of grant-seeking activities, tracking key metrics such as proposal success rate and funding secured. Provide regular reports and updates to leadership on grant-related activities and outcomes.
Required Skills and Abilities:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (such as nonprofit management, public administration, or business administration).
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
- Proven experience in grant writing and management, with a track record of successful grant awards.
- Demonstrated experience and success with federal, state and other government proposals and reporting.
- Strong understanding of fundraising principles and best practices, particularly in the context of grant funding.
- Excellent research, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, as well as independently with minimal supervision.
- Familiarity with grant management software and databases is a plus.
- Knowledge of MS Office Outlook, Excel, Access and Word Processing software.
- Other duties as assigned.
Performance Expectations:
The Prospects Grant Manager will be expected to demonstrate the ability to generate additional, new revenue to the organization. Performance will be evaluated based on both quantitative metrics (e.g., funds secured, proposal success rate) and qualitative factors (e.g., collaboration with team members, relationship management with funders). Additionally, adherence to administrative duties, such as pipeline updates, and timely and compelling reporting will be essential for successful performance evaluation.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
Collaborative Responsibilities:
This role works in peer partnership with UWM’s renewable grant manager to manage the entire portfolio of UWM grants. Additionally, this role works very closely with the donor engagement team who may, through their independent interactions, may identify new prospects that require a grant, letter or other proposal. A grant accountant is in place to support financial reporting needs, and the prospect grant manager will also work collaboratively with this staff member.
Education and/or Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree (preferred) and/or;
- Two to three years related experience, preferably in a social services or health and human services background
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Ability to communicate clearly in person and over the telephone
- Regularly reach with hands and arms and talk or hear
- Occasionally required to walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
- Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
Benefits:
- Shared health, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous 401(k) Retirement plan
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
The prospects grant manager plays a crucial role in securing funding that supports essential health and human service programs across the metro, and entire state. If you are passionate about working collaboratively to make a difference, and have the qualifications and experience required for this position, we encourage you to apply.
How to Apply:
Please submit your cover letter and resume to resume@UWMidlands.org
United Way of the Midlands is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.