Grants & Donor Engagement Manager

Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas has a rich, 130+ year history, serving the community in Kansas City and the surrounding areas since 1894. Many people know Goodwill for our thrift stores, but few know the impact of the mission behind those stores. Generously donated items that are sold in our stores help fund the work we do supporting thousands of local job seekers overcome barriers to employment. We believe in the Power of Work and are proud to be a nonprofit organization committed to helping people obtain and keep employment through training, education, and other wraparound services.

Reporting to the Director of Development and Advocacy, the Grants and Donor Engagement Manager will play a key role in executing fundraising initiatives and achieving outcomes with a focus on researching, writing, and managing grants and developing relationships with corporate and private foundations. This role will also lead mass donor communications efforts and support donor recognition strategies. This position works closely with the development team in planning, developing and implementing resource acquisition partnerships for the good of participants, the community, staff, volunteers and the Agency.

* Identify and research new potential grantors (government, corporate, foundation, and private) focused on alignment with Goodwill's mission and vision.

* Introduce and deepen understanding of Goodwill's mission and needs among grantor prospects.

* Manage relationships with existing and new potential funders via meetings, presentations, tours, special events, reports, and more.

* Ensure accurate records in Salesforce ongoing for contact information, interactions, awards, and engagement plans.

* Draft and submit high quality letters of inquiry, proposals, narratives, applications, and supporting documents in response to solicitations and to proactively request funding.

* Project manage the grant submission process, including coordinating with other departments, the Director, and the Senior Executive Group.

* Ensure all proposals align fully with funder requirements, expectations, and deadlines.

* Draft narratives and budgets in collaboration with mission and accounting teams.

* Review and understand details of all grants, awards and contracts; make award recommendations.

* Manage awards effectively through collaboration with development, mission services, accounting, and marketing teams.

Train appropriate grant executors (i.e. mission services team) on the details, requirements, expectations, and timing of each grant award.

Support the mission services and accounting teams in following grantor requirements with funding and requesting budget modifications, as necessary.

Collaborate with the development and marketing teams to recognize grantors appropriately.

Fulfill all grant reporting requirements.

* Preparation and support for engagement meetings and donor solicitations by compiling information on existing relationships.

* Ensure donor-focused newsletter, social media and website content in collaboration with marketing.

* Create and execute donor recognition plans consistently and timely.

* Consider other donor communications strategies with retention and growth goals.

The role will be a proven leader with the following:

* Associate or bachelor's degree, or other relevant certification of expertise, is preferred. Experience will be considered in lieu of education.

* A minimum of three years of successful grant writing experience or supporting grant writing.

* Experience using a fundraising platform preferred, Salesforce a plus.

* Successful project management experience, including cross-departmental coordination and managing multiple internal and external deadlines.

* An effective communicator, with strong oral and written skills, including creative writing and editing skills.

* Detail oriented and ability to conduct thorough research and keep accurate records.

* Established ability to make things happen - putting programs and change efforts into action; facilitating coordination and collaboration of tasks; providing midcourse corrections when actual outcomes start to diverge from intended outcomes or when new conditions require adaptation; supporting those responsible for carrying out projects and plans.

* A collaborative and flexible style, with a strong service mentality. Needs to be a team player who breaks down silos and crosses department lines to work as a team.

* A hands-on manager with integrity and a desire to work in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

* Self-directed and self-motivated with the ability to take initiative in identifying and anticipating donor needs.

* Proven level of integrity, confidentiality, discretion, attention to detail and collaborative nature.

All employees should be instilled with and demonstrate an appreciation of the value entrusted to us by the community through donated goods.

Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas is an equal opportunity employer.