Manager, Charitable Giving and Community Impact

The Manager of Charitable Giving & Community Impact manages the day-to-day operations of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s (SMSC) charitable giving program and implements priorities and direction established by SMSC leadership and the Business Council. This is a unique opportunity to serve as a hands-on, working manager to collaborate with Charitable Giving support staff members as well as work strategically with the Council to evaluate and administer funding requests; coordinate grants, donations, and community support; and maintain accurate records and reporting. The Manager builds trusted relationships with Native nations and communities and partners in the broader community, recommends program improvements, and participates directly in charitable events, distributions, and outreach. The role partners closely with the Tribal Administrator, SMSC leadership, the Business Council, and internal teams to support timely, consistent, and responsible administration of charitable resources.

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Primary Job Duties

• Translate charitable giving priorities and direction established by SMSC leadership and the Business Council into annual work plans, team assignments, and day-to-day program activities aligned with SMSC values and objectives.
• Review current charitable giving workflows, staffing capacity, technology, and reporting; recommend practical improvements to the Tribal Administrator and implement approved changes.
• Manage the day-to-day administration of annual grants, donations, and community support for tribal nations, Native organizations, nonprofit organizations, and broader community needs.
• Manage and personally participate in the evaluation and administration of more than 1,000 annual donation requests and approximately 200 grant requests from tribal governments and Native organizations; coordinate team workload, follow-up, and timely processing.
• Apply approved funding criteria, policies, and decision processes consistently; maintain procedures and request records, recommend updates, and route exceptions or proposed policy changes to the appropriate leadership for review and approval.
• Prepare funding recommendations, supporting analysis, and request materials for review by the Tribal Administrator, SMSC leadership, and the Business Council, as applicable; coordinate follow-up and communicate approved decisions.
• Maintain an understanding of issues and needs affecting Native nations and communities; bring emerging needs and opportunities to leadership’s attention and coordinate an approved response.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with tribal governments, tribal leaders, Native organizations, nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, educational institutions, community partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Identify and recommend opportunities for partnerships, multi-year initiatives, emergency assistance, and other program improvements; coordinate implementation of initiatives approved by SMSC leadership and the Business Council.
• Maintain program data and track approved measures of charitable activity and impact; prepare regular reports on funding, recipients, geographic reach, outcomes, and progress toward established priorities.
• Coordinate with Marketing and Communications to gather recipient information, stories, and program results for approved communications, events, and annual charitable giving or community impact reporting.
• Represent the SMSC at charitable events, tribal and community gatherings, partner meetings, and other external engagements as assigned; communicate established priorities and approved program information and refer requests for commitments outside delegated authority to leadership.
• Coordinate and participate directly in community service projects, food and resource distributions, donation deliveries, charitable events, and other hands-on outreach activities as needed.
• Partner with Finance and other internal teams to reconcile giving activity, maintain accurate records and appropriate controls, coordinate timely distribution of approved funds, and monitor spending against approved allocations; escalate discrepancies or requests outside delegated authority.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Community Development, Tribal Governance, Philanthropy, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in charitable giving, philanthropy, grant administration, tribal relations, nonprofit programs, community impact, community development, public affairs, corporate giving, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience translating established priorities into practical work plans, consistent processes, and measurable program results.
• Experience evaluating grant, donation, sponsorship, community investment, or other funding requests; documenting recommendations; and administering approved funding.
• Ability to build relationships, trust, and credibility with tribal leaders, community partners, senior leaders, governing bodies, nonprofit organizations, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of tribal sovereignty, tribal government structures, Native communities, and contemporary issues affecting Native nations and communities is strongly preferred.
• Ability to assess complex information, exercise sound judgment, manage competing priorities, and make thoughtful decisions in a high-volume environment.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, analytical, and organizational skills, including the ability to clearly present funding recommendations and program updates to leadership and governing bodies.
• Ability to maintain accurate program data, prepare reports, and use activity and outcome measures to recommend improvements and support leadership decisions.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and travel as needed to support community events, partner relationships, charitable initiatives, and emerging needs.