Foundation Grants Manager

JOB TITLE: Foundation Grants Manager

DATE: August 20, 2026

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

LOCATION: Kansas City hybrid preferred; open to fully remote applicants

SALARY: $100,000

Job Overview:

The Foundation Grants Manager will be responsible for leading 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. Reporting to the IAAP CEO, this role will manage the full grant lifecycle from prospect research through proposal writing, submission, compliance, and reporting, while building strong relationships with funders. This role requires exceptional writing and research skills, strong financial literacy, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and funder relationships with professionalism and discretion.

Key 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.

Qualifications:

Required

• 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

• 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.

Competencies

• Alignment to IAAP’s culture, purpose, strategy, and leadership philosophy
• High awareness of and attention to detail
• Must exhibit initiative, able to use good judgment, problem solving skills and take appropriate action
• Must be 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
• Must be a great relationship builder; enjoys engaging with various types of people and personalities
• Listens and responds effectively 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

Language Skills

• Requires strong data and analytical skills
• Requires strong written and verbal communication skills
• Must present a 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.

IAAP is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• 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

Work Environment:

• 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