Grants Manager

About Us: Meals on Wheels Orange County is the largest nonprofit provider of nutrition and supportive services for at-risk older adults in Central and North Orange County. Our mission is to combat hunger and loneliness among older adults through nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks and to support families through day services. Annually, we deliver nearly 2 million meals to 20,000 at-risk older adults.

Location: Santa Ana, CA (The Village)

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000 annually (Salary will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and experience)

JOB SUMMARY: The Grants Manager is responsible for managing the organization’s grants portfolio, including research, proposal development, reporting, and stewardship. This role ensures timely submission of grant applications, accurate tracking of deadlines, and effective communication with funders, supporting the organization’s fundraising goals and mission.

 The position requires exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, self-management, discretion, and sound judgment when working with donors and handling sensitive or confidential information.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer, who manages current grants, while focusing on increasing revenue through new grant prospects, research, and proposal development.
• Manage the full lifecycle of grants, including prospect research, proposal development, submission, reporting, and renewals.
• Secure between $150,000 and $300,000 annually in new grant funding through research, proposal development, and relationship building.
• Maintain a grants calendar to track deadlines, reporting requirements, and funding cycles.
• Support the Pen to Paper by assisting with grant-related materials, and deadlines
• Collaborate with Chief Development Officer, finance, and leadership to gather data and ensure grant proposals and reports are accurate and compelling.
• Assist in the preparation of budgets, ensuring alignment with grant requirements and organizational goals.
• Ensure compliance with funder guidelines and reporting requirements.
• Steward grant relationships by ensuring timely acknowledgment of contributions and providing impact updates to funders.
• Identify new grant opportunities and develop strategies for pursuing funding from foundations, corporations, and government sources.
• Collaborate with the Sr. Director of Development and Director of Marketing to integrate grant funding into overall fundraising and communications strategies.
• Track and analyze grant outcomes and funding trends to inform strategic decision-making.
• Support special projects and initiatives as needed, including grant-related events or donor recognition opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, finance, or a related field preferred; advanced degree preferred a plus
• 3–5 years of experience in grant writing, management, or nonprofit development.
• Experience in both private foundation and government grant funding.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to craft compelling proposals and reports.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Proficiency with donor and grant management software (DonorPerfect, Raiser’s Edge, or similar).
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across teams and with external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, complex environment with the skills to establish priorities, set objectives, and achieve stated goals
• Ability to attend functions/activities outside normal business hours
• Enjoyment in working with a diverse range of donors, older adults, volunteers, and community partners
• Exemplifies Meals on Wheels OC’s organizational values of compassion, integrity, respect, excellence, communication, and innovation
• Ability to provide own transportation for local travel, valid driver's license, auto insurance required 

 PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to lift up 50 lbs without assistance 
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds and may be required to stand for extensive lengths of time.
• Able to see close up, moderate and long distances with or without accommodation
• The position uses most the senses, tactile, temperature sensitivity, hearing, seeing, and smelling.
• Excellent Fine motor skill manipulation for typing
• Ability to attend events, occasionally outside regular business hours
• Local travel is required using own vehicle 
• Sitting for an extended period of time. 
• Primarily office-based, with occasional travel to funders or program sites, and some remote flexibility, if applicable.

                                                                            Meals on Wheels Orange County is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages                                                                                                                                  applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We are committed                                                                                                                                                     to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment.