Grants Manager (non-profit) - Hybrid - Santa Barbara, CA

Who Are We:

Isla Vista Youth Projects, Inc. (dba LEAP): Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner mitigates the effects of poverty, racism and trauma by providing high-quality, trauma-informed child care, comprehensive, culturally sensitive family support, and visionary community leadership. We serve the Santa Barbara County community through our early childhood education programs for 198 children (ages 3 months – 5 years) across locations in Goleta, Isla Vista, and Lompoc, and our Family Resource Center which connects families with essential services including basic needs like food access and diapers, counseling, parenting workshops, budgeting assistance, and immigration resources. Our work prepares children for academic success while strengthening families to build a healthy, prosperous, and resilient community.

Position:
LEAP seeks an experienced Grants Manager to join our team and lead our grant funding efforts. This position will be responsible for identifying funding opportunities, developing compelling proposals, and managing the full lifecycle of grants to support our early childhood education programs, school-age programming, and Family Resource Center services. The ideal candidate will have a passion for our mission of addressing poverty, racism, and trauma through high-quality family support and a proven track record of securing and managing grants in the nonprofit sector.

Duties:

• Research and identify grant opportunities from foundations, government agencies, corporations, and other sources that align with LEAP's mission and programs in early childhood education, school-age programming, and family support services
• Develop and write persuasive grant proposals, applications, and supporting materials that effectively communicate LEAP's impact on children and families throughout Santa Barbara County
• Collaborate closely with the organization’s contracted grant writer to align on funding strategies, maintain grant deliverables and timelines, and ensure cohesive communication and reporting to achieve organizational fundraising goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with current and prospective funders
• Create and manage a grants calendar to ensure timely submission of all applications and reports
• Collaborate with program staff to gather necessary information, data, and success stories for proposals and reports
• Work closely with the finance team to develop accurate grant budgets and track expenditures
• Ensure compliance with all grant requirements, restrictions, and reporting deadlines
• Maintain detailed and organized records of all grant activities and communications
• Provide regular updates to leadership on grant status, funding pipeline, and upcoming opportunities
• Support the development of fundraising strategies to diversify and strengthen LEAP's funding sources

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., nonprofit management, early childhood education, social work, communications, or related field)
• 3-5 years of experience in grant writing and management, preferably for organizations focused on early childhood education, family support services, or community development
• Demonstrated success in securing grants from various funding sources
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills with ability to craft compelling narratives
• Strong research and analytical abilities to identify appropriate funding opportunities
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience with grant management software and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of budget development and financial reporting for grants
• Understanding of nonprofit compliance requirements and reporting standards

Nice to Have:

• Knowledge of early childhood education, family support services, and/or trauma-informed care
• Experience with government grants (federal, state, or local) related to childcare, education, or family services
• Familiarity with funding sources in Santa Barbara County and California
• Understanding of issues related to poverty, racism, and trauma in underserved communities
• Grant management certification or relevant professional development
• Experience with donor management or CRM systems
• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) highly valued
• Commitment to cultural sensitivity and inclusive practices

LEAP is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in our organization. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, disability, or veteran status.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,500.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Goleta, CA 93116

Salary : $70,500 - $85,000