Job Description

Organization Overview  

Communities First, Inc. is a Michigan-based nonprofit 501 (c) (3) whose mission is to build healthy, vibrant communities through economic development, affordable housing, and innovative programming. CFI is committed to providing safe, quality affordable housing, increasing economic opportunities, and improving the quality of life for the communities it serves. 

Position Summary  

The Grants Manager is responsible for supporting Communities First, Inc.’s institutional fundraising efforts by managing the full grant lifecycle, including research, proposal development, submission, compliance, reporting, and renewal. This role manages foundation, corporate, and government funding, including federal, state, and local grants, and ensures full compliance with all funder requirements. 

The Grants Manager works closely with staff, finance, fund development staff, and executive leadership to secure, manage, and steward grant funding aligned with CFI’s mission and strategic priorities. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities  

Grant Strategy and Prospect Development  

• Identify, research, and evaluate private foundation, corporate, and government grant opportunities at the federal, state, and local levels 
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive grants pipeline and calendar 
• Assess eligibility, competitiveness, funding alignment, and compliance requirements 
• Monitor funding trends related to affordable housing, economic development, community development, and supportive programming 

Grant Writing and Submission  

• Lead the development and submission of grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and applications 
• Prepare narratives, budgets, logic models, outcomes, and supporting documentation 
• Coordinate internal data collection from program, finance, and leadership teams 
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of all grant materials in accordance with funder guidelines 
• Prepare applications for certain government funding sources, including RFPs, NOFAs, and RFQs 

Grant Management and Compliance  

• Manage awarded grants throughout the full grant period 
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local government regulations, including reporting, documentation, and audit requirements 
• Track deliverables, deadlines, and performance metrics 
• Maintain organized and up-to-date grant files and compliance documentation 
• Support monitoring visits, desk reviews, and audits as required by funders 

Reporting and Evaluation  

• Prepare and submit interim and final grant reports 
• Collect outcome, performance, and impact data from program teams 
• Translate program data into clear, funders-facing narratives 
• Ensure reporting aligns with approved scopes of work and budgets 

Financial Coordination  

• Partner closely with the finance department to monitor grant budgets, expenditures, reimbursements, and drawdowns 
• Track restricted funds, match requirements, and cost allocations 
• Support accurate grant-related revenue forecasting and financial reporting 

Grant Tracking Systems  

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date grant and funder records in Raiser’s Edge 
• Track grant submissions, awards, reporting deadlines, and renewals 
• Generate reports and dashboards related to grant activity and funding status 
• Ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and consistency across systems 

Cross-Functional Collaboration  

• Collaborate with program staff to ensure grant-funded activities align with approved scopes of work 
• Coordinate with fund development staff to align grant activity with the overall fundraising strategy 
• Provide regular grant status updates to leadership 
• Support internal training related to grant compliance and reporting requirements 

Other Responsibilities  

• Maintain awareness of grant-making trends, compliance updates, and best practices 
• Support special projects related to institutional funding as assigned 
• Other duties as assigned  

Education and Experience  

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, communications, or related field required 
• Master’s degree preferred 
• Three to seven years of progressive experience in grant writing and grants management 
• Demonstrated success in securing foundation and government grants 
• Experience managing federal, state, and local government funding strongly preferred 
• Experience with housing, economic development, or community-based funding sources preferred 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local grant compliance and reporting requirements 
• Experience managing complex grants with multiple deadlines and deliverables 
• Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge or similar donor and grant management systems 
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint 
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments 
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion 

Core Competencies  

• Grant strategy and management 
• Government grant compliance 
• Organization and time management 
• Attention to detail 
• Analytical thinking 
• Written communication 
• Collaboration and teamwork 
• Accountability and follow-through 
• Adaptability and flexibility 
• Commitment to mission-driven work 

Physical Requirements  

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time 
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally 
• Ability to attend meetings, site visits, and funder engagements as needed 

Equal Employment Opportunity & ADA Compliance  

Communities First, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities. 

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