Grants Manager

YSS, is looking for a Grants Manager who can combine strategic thinking, exceptional writing, and relationship-building skills to secure funding that fuels hope, healing, and opportunity for youth and families across Iowa. If you're energized by crafting compelling proposals, collaborating with passionate leaders, researching new opportunities, and seeing your work directly impact communities, this could be the perfect next step in your career.

As a key member of the Community Engagement Team, you'll lead the development and management of federal, state, local, and private grant opportunities that support YSS's mission. You'll work alongside program experts, finance professionals, and organizational leaders to transform needs into fundable solutions and ensure critical resources reach the young people who need them most.

At YSS, you'll join a team of people who believe every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive. Your work will directly support programs that provide hope, stability, recovery, and connection for youth and families across Iowa. Every successful grant helps create new possibilities. Every proposal represents lives that can be changed. And every day, you'll help make that impact possible.

Lead Grant Development & Submission

• Manage the full lifecycle of grant opportunities, from prospect research through submission and award tracking.
• Write, edit, and coordinate compelling grant proposals, letters of intent, narratives, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure all applications meet funder requirements, deadlines, and submission standards.
• Coordinate the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, including bidder conferences, funder communications, amendments, and application management.
• Develop proposal timelines, assign responsibilities, and keep projects moving forward.

Build Strong Internal Partnerships

• Collaborate closely with program leaders to understand community needs, program goals, and funding priorities.
• Partner with Finance and Accounting teams to develop and review grant budgets and funding schedules.
• Gather data, outcomes, organizational information, and supporting materials needed for successful proposals.
• Maintain regular engagement with program teams to stay informed about emerging needs, trends, and opportunities.

Research & Grow Funding Opportunities

• Identify and evaluate new federal, state, local, and private funding opportunities.
• Maintain awareness of community needs, funding trends, and philanthropic priorities.
• Build and maintain a robust resource library of data, statistics, research, and funding information.
• Actively seek opportunities to expand organizational funding capacity and diversify revenue sources.

Track, Organize & Report

• Manage grant records, deadlines, opportunities, and reporting through Raiser's Edge (RE).
• Maintain accurate grant tracking systems, files, and annual grant activity reports.
• Monitor submitted applications and communicate progress with internal stakeholders.
• Support organizational planning by providing data and funding insights to leadership teams.Effectively oversees day-to-day grant development operations assigned.

You combine exceptional writing skills with curiosity, organization, and follow-through. You enjoy collaborating across teams, managing competing deadlines, and creating proposals that make a meaningful impact.

We invest in people—because when you thrive, so do the communities we serve. At YSS, you’ll find meaningful work, strong support, and benefits designed for real life.

Supportive Culture & Work Environment

• Supportive leadership team and mission-driven culture
• Flexibility and autonomy in a collaborative environment
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Voluntary dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Supplemental accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• Flu shots and mental health support resources
• Paid membership to the Athletic Club of Ames

Time Off & Work-Life Balance

• Generous paid time off (4 weeks PTO)
• Paid holidays, including a birthday holiday
• Volunteer time off

Financial & Retirement Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Supplemental compensation award
• 403(b) retirement savings plan

Professional & Career Support

• Professional liability insurance coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualified employer

We want to create a world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong. To do this, we ask our staff to embrace YSS core values - Commitment, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Integrity, and a “Can Do” Spirit.

Required Qualifications - MUST HAVES:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Business, Human Services, or a related field.
• Three or more years of experience in grant writing, fundraising, development, or nonprofit advancement.
• Proven success developing and submitting competitive grant proposals.
• Travel, including transporting clients, is required for this position. For YSS insurance purposes, you must:
  • be 21 years of age,
  • have a current, valid, state-issued, driver’s license, and
  • have a clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications - SHOULD HAVES:

• Strong writing, editing, research, and communication skills with the ability to turn data and outcomes into compelling grant proposals.
• Proven ability to manage multiple deadlines with strong organization, accuracy, and follow-through.
• Experience using budgets, program data, and outcomes to support grant development and funding requests.
• Ability to build effective, collaborative relationships across teams and stakeholders.
• Experience managing the full grant lifecycle, from prospecting through reporting.
• Familiarity with federal and state grant requirements, compliance, and reporting standards.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge or similar CRM/grant management systems.
• Knowledge of behavioral health, youth services, education, housing, or human services.
• Strong initiative in identifying funding opportunities and improving organizational impact..

The IDEAL Candidate

• Is dependable, self-motivated, and great at taking initiative
• Is rooted in purpose and driven by equity, inclusion, and positive social impact.
• Brings humility, respect, and cultural awareness to every interaction.
• Speaks a second language (especially one spoken in our communities).

Have you navigated recovery from addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or housing instability? Your lived experience offers a unique, compassionate perspective that can inspire real change. By sharing your story and serving as a role model or mentor, you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and families. Your journey matters. If you’re ready to use it to uplift and empower others, we warmly encourage you to apply.

We’re YSS—one of Iowa’s largest and longest-standing nonprofits dedicated to putting kids first. Our mission is simple but powerful: spark hope, create opportunity, and help young people thrive.

• From life-changing programs to a new 50-acre recovery campus, we’re expanding fast and thinking big. Learn more at yss.org.
• We value the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences each team member brings. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we’re committed to building a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where everyone can grow and succeed.
• YSS is a nicotine-free workplace.

We communicate with applicants via email - straight from our Paycom system address: systemmessage@paycomonline.com. Please check your inbox regularly (and your spam/junk folder just in case). If the message does end up in spam/junk, make sure to add systemmessage@paycomonline.com to your list of safe senders. We may also send you texts if you give us that permission when you apply. Questions? Reach us anytime at yss@yss.org

• Apply – Submit your application at yss.org/ysscareers
• Assessment – We review your skills and experience
• Interview – Phone, video, or in-person conversation
• References – We’ll connect with 3 professional references
• Screening – Background check, driving record check, and license verification if required
• Offer – If it’s a match, you’ll receive a formal offer through Paycom