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Grantmaking Initiatives Manager

This job is no longer available

New York, NY, USA
Full-time

As a member of the North America Cities core team, the Grantmaking Initiatives Manager will contribute by evaluating, recommending, planning and executing strategic initiatives designed to strengthen the Cities Network by building the leadership, institutional capacity and power of community-based organizations, grassroots and local communities across our 24 Network Cities. They will manage and coordinate current financial and conservation aspects of multiple granting opportunities for partnerships between TNC local city programs and partners, work to develop a cohesive suite of resourcing opportunities for the Cities Network and serve as the principal contact for cohorts of North America Cities-funded grantees, including local city programs, partner organizations, foundations and the academic community.

Areas of Responsibility: 

The North America Cities Grantmaking Initiatives Manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating all aspects of our two main grant initiatives, the North America Cities Partnership Fund and Strategic Small Grants, including communications, RFP process, coordinating contracting and reporting process, tracking metrics and evaluation frameworks, as well as strategic planning.

Established in 2018, the North America Cities Partnership Fund is a $1million/year initiative to invest in strengthening collaborative and equitable partnerships between community-based organizations representing frontline and historically underfunded communities and TNC local city programs. The Partnership Fund is grounded in extensive research, input from an external advisory group and feedback from many internal stakeholders. Through this current pilot round, we are strengthening our ability to provide transformative funding for community-driven collaboration that improves the health and well-being of people and nature in cities. 

Strategic Small Grants, which launched in 2015 provides local city programs with grants of up to $15,000 to directly fund the development, design, and implementation of innovative, collaborative conservation projects with community-based and grassroots organizations in environmental justice, frontline or other historically-underfunded communities. In three rounds of funding, we’ve disbursed more than $400,000. 

  • In addition to managing our current grantmaking priorities, the Grantmaking Initiatives Manager ill be responsible for developing and stewarding a strategic plan for a holistic suite of NA Cities grants programs that better integrates technical assistance and training opportunities for TNC local city program staff and partners.
  • They will liaise with TNC city leads and partners across the US to distill and share lessons-learned from grantee experiences and coordinate cross-functional initiatives. They will engage the external professional philanthropy community to keep abreast of new developments and opportunities that will support our grant initiatives and to report on and share the Conservancy’s experiences with others.  They will support efforts to raise funds for North America Cities’ suite of resourcing opportunities and grants initiatives, by providing input for proposal writing, negotiating with agencies, foundations and engaging in donor cultivation, as needed.
  • They will help establish the Conservancy as a valuable conservation partner in cities across the U.S., by contributing to the development of a broader strategic framework for grantmaking that centers equitable partnership and widely communicates solutions and best practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE 

  • Manages and coordinates current resourcing and grantmaking priorities for NA Cities                                                 
  • Engages in cross-functional work (across TNC business units) and manages relationships with grant and project partners.       
  • Sets and meets deadlines while coordinating contracting and reporting processes and developing evaluation frameworks with grantees to ensure program accountability. 
  • Displays responsibility and accountability for meeting departmental strategic goals and objectives.
  • Leads financial management of grants including setting goals, tracking budget reporting, analyzing results, and taking corrective action.
  • Frequently makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
  • Develops communications including launching RFP processes, preparing and presenting outcomes of grant cycles and capturing learning by tracking metrics and developing written communications.
  • Prepares and presents business plan and strategy proposals for NA Cities Partnership Fund 
  • Collaborates with outside parties to accomplish program goals
  • Communicates professionally with a wide variety of people of different cultures to develop, negotiate and/or implement functional grants program.
Educational Background: 
Bachelor’s degree and 6 years’ experience in the functional field, or equivalent.
Skills/Experience: 
  • Fluency in English and ability to communicate clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English
  • Experience designing, implementing and directing multiple complex projects and ensuring program accountability.
  • Communications experience including preparing and presenting project proposals
  • Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners and community groups
  • Experience negotiating regulations and restrictions related to partnering across multiple competencies, power differences, and conflicts of interest

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Multilingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
  • At least 6-8 years’ experience in grants management, or equivalent. 
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
  • Working knowledge of current trends in the field of philanthropy. 
  • Working knowledge of current trends in conservation and experience working with large environmental NGOs desired. 
  • Outstanding written and oral communication, negotiating and organizational skills.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the functional needs and practices of grants management
  • Experience negotiating with donor agencies, companies, private parties or related entities.
  • Ability to make sound decisions based on analysis, consultation with others, experience, and judgment.  

Organization Info

Nature Conservancy

Overview
Headquarters: 
Arlington, VA, United States
Annual Budget : 
More than $500M
Founded: 
1954
About Us
Mission: 

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.

How do we achieve this mission and vision?

Through the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, including more than 600 scientists, all of whom impact conservation in 69 countries.

With the help of our many partners, from individuals and governments to local nonprofits and corporations.

By using a non-confrontational, collaborative approach and staying true to our five unique core values.

That's how The Nature Conservancy has done more than anyone else to advance conservation around the world since our founding in 1951.

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Dec 2 2018
Active Until: 
Jan 2 2019
Hiring Organization: 
Nature Conservancy
industry: 
Nonprofit