Manager of Operations, Philanthropic Services

Position Description

Title: Manager of Operations, Philanthropic Services

Hours: Full-Time

Department: Philanthropic Services

Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Vice President, Philanthropic Services

Created On: August, 2025

Pay Range: $71,932-$104-302

Location: Minneapolis/Hybrid

Organizational Overview:

The Minneapolis Foundation drives collective action to realize strong, vibrant communities. The Foundation cultivates generosity by taking action on the greatest civic, social, and economic needs—partnering with nonprofits, facilitating grantmaking, driving research and advocacy, and advising fundholders as they look to make a difference in their communities.

Our Approach to Talent & Culture:

We strive to employ a team -especially leaders- who are culturally competent and reflect the makeup of the communities we serve. Overall, we cultivate a culture that is aligned with our core values. Our goal of fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and respect while ensuring accountability among all members of our organization is reflected in our talent acquisition and management strategies. 

Position Overview:

The Philanthropic Services team works directly with more than 1,000 individuals, families, and businesses who contribute charitably to issues and organizations they care about. The team helps donors bring their charitable goals to life and support community-led solutions.

The Manager of Philanthropic Operations is the main point of contact for a portfolio of Specific Purpose Funds—charitable funds set up to support a defined project or mission. This strategic role focuses on deepening relationships with these community partners and acts as a project manager for the creation of new Funds, coordinating incoming contributions, facilitating requests for distributions, grant entry, and tracking/reporting for both incoming and outgoing distributions. This role requires a strong understanding of nonprofit management, foundation partnerships, and innovative fund structures. This includes:

-      Vetting new Fund opportunities

-      Negotiating the documentation and creation of Funds

-      Acting as the relationship manager in the coordination of all operational facets

-      Effectively closing Funds when the charitable purpose and timeline is achieved

The position also leads the Philanthropic Services Grants Administration team, improving our grantmaking systems and ensuring our processes are clear, efficient, and meet all legal requirements. The Grants Administration team processes more than 12,000 charitable distributions annually and this role will play a key leadership role in new systems and processes needed to continue to evolve with the continued growth of transactions.

The Manager of Philanthropic Operations is someone who is:

-      A strategic thinker

-      Detail-oriented

-      Comfortable managing multiple projects

-      Able to build strong relationships both inside and outside the Foundation

-      Able to manage a team through changing environments

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

50%

Portfolio Management:

¡ Manages a portfolio of Specific Purpose Funds (and other similar Fund types) from idea, to establishment, to funding and distribution, and to close upon completion of purpose.

¡ Collaborates with the Minneapolis Foundation’s Finance and Grants Administration Teams to deliver coordinated fund management, compliance, and grantmaking support.

¡ Ensures timely and tailored communications, reporting, and engagement opportunities for portfolio of Funds.

¡ Facilitates advisory group meetings for funds, helping stakeholders make decisions and stay aligned with their charitable goals.

¡ Provides technical assistance and guidance on governance, investment approaches, and grant strategy.

40%

Grants Administration and Fund Management:

¡ Oversees and improves the Foundation’s grantmaking processes, practices, policies and systems.

¡ Ensure all grantmaking follows applicable laws and regulations.

¡ Works collaboratively with peers across teams to develop, enhance, and implement processes that reinforce the efficiency and effectiveness of the Foundation’s grantmaking processes and practices with respect to the needs of each program area.

¡ Provides effective and supportive leadership for all direct reports, empowering each team member in their roles, identifying continued opportunities for growth, and helping connect the team’s work to the broader organizational efforts.

¡ Partners to prioritize system updates and integrations (e.g. Salesforce, Grant Application platform, project management, etc.) to ensure efficient and effective delivery and tracking of grantmaking initiatives.

10%

Additional key Responsibilities:

¡ Promotes collaboration and open communication across teams. 

¡ Builds partnerships with other community foundations and organizations to share tools, resources, and best practices.

Qualifications for success:

¡ Bachelor’s degree plus three or more years of experience OR five to seven years of progressive and successful experience.

¡ Experience with nonprofit development, philanthropy, foundation management, or institutional relationship management.

¡ Experience with project management

¡ Knowledge of fund structures, endowments, and charitable compliance.

¡ Strong written and verbal communication skills.

¡ Proven ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

¡ Familiarity with grants management systems, CRM tools (Salesforce), or similar platforms.

¡ Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of The Minneapolis Foundation.

Supervision Responsibilities

Philanthropic Services Grants Coordinator

Philanthropic Services Grants Administrator

Working Conditions

Most of the work in this position is performed in a general office setting and the successful candidate must be able to work at a PC for extended periods of time. We are a hybrid organization typically working 2 days a week in the office.

Encouragement Statement

At The Minneapolis Foundation, we believe that diverse experiences and perspectives are crucial to our success. We understand that not every candidate will meet every single qualification listed in the job description, and that is perfectly okay. We encourage you to apply if you’re excited about the opportunity and feel you can bring valuable skills and experiences to the role.

We value potential and a willingness to learn just as much as formal qualifications. If you’re passionate about Non-Profits or this specific role and believe you can contribute to our team’s success, we want to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to apply and share how your unique background and abilities align with our needs. Join us in creating an inclusive and dynamic workplace where everyone’s talents are recognized and appreciated.

The Minneapolis Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer