POSITION TITLE: Grants Manager
DEPARTMENT: Philanthropy and Donor Engagement
REPORTS TO: Chief Philanthropy Officer
TYPE: Full Time, Exempt
SALARY: $68,700-$72,300
United Way of Greater Charlotte is boldly investing in what if. When Charlotte ranked last in the nation for economic mobility, United Way challenged ourselves and others to say what if every neighborhood has the resources it needs to break the cycle of poverty? And what if every person has equal access to opportunities? In response, United Way is going directly to where the needs are the greatest and is bringing new voices to the table to promote racial equity and ensure every neighborhood thrives. We believe that by challenging the what ifs and by moving together in hope, we can build thriving communities.
United Way of Greater Charlotte is seeking a skilled Grants Manager to strengthen our resource development and funding strategy. Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, this role is responsible for the full lifecycle of grant activity, from prospect identification through stewardship, and serves as a key partner in sustaining and growing philanthropic revenue that advances our mission and community impact.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Grant Prospecting and Pipeline Development
- Research and identify grant opportunities from private foundations, family foundations, corporate funders, and public sources aligned with organizational priorities
- Maintain and manage a master grants calendar tracking deadlines, submission requirements, reporting obligations, and renewal cycles
- Build and manage a robust prospect pipeline to support annual and multi-year funding goals
- Stay current on funder priorities, funding trends, and philanthropic landscape relevant to United Way's work
Proposal Development and Submission
- Draft compelling grant proposals, letters of intent, application narratives, and budgets tailored to funder guidelines and priorities
- Translate programmatic work into clear, mission-aligned narratives that communicate impact and organizational capacity
- Coordinate cross-functionally with program, finance, and communications staff to gather data, outcomes, and supporting documentation
- Prepare and organize all materials for timely, complete proposal submissions
Grant Stewardship and Compliance
- Monitor awarded grants through the full stewardship cycle, including compliance tracking, reporting timelines, and funder communications
- Prepare interim and final grant reports that accurately reflect program progress, financial expenditures, and community outcomes
- Maintain strong relationships with program officers and foundation contacts through proactive, professional engagement
Grants Administration and Records Management
- Maintain a comprehensive library of grant support documents including organizational budgets, audits, IRS determination letters, board and staff diversity lists, resumes, bios, and other standard attachments
- Ensure accurate and up-to-date records of all grant activity in the CRM/database
- Develop and maintain scalable systems, templates, and processes to support grant operations
Organizational Collaboration and Board Support
- Partner with the Philanthropy and Donor Engagement team to align grant strategy with broader fundraising goals
- Assist in preparing materials for Board meetings and related reporting as needed
- Support a culture of continuous improvement by contributing to post-submission reviews and lessons learned
WHAT YOU'LL NEED: EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- 5+ years of experience researching and writing grants for nonprofits, with demonstrated success securing funding from both private/family foundations and public sources
- Proven track record of developing successful grant proposals, LOIs, and application narratives across a range of funders and funding types
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, priorities, and cross-functional relationships simultaneously
- Exceptional written communication skills with the ability to translate complex program information into compelling, funder-ready narratives
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in budget development, reporting, and records management
- Proficiency with CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite
Preferred
- Experience working in community impact, human services, or economic mobility-focused organizations
- Familiarity with government grant processes and federal reporting requirements
- Experience supporting board-level reporting or executive-facing communications
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Grant Writing and Storytelling Excellence
- Prospect Research and Pipeline Strategy
- Funder Relationship Management
- Project Management and Organizational Rigor
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Data-Informed Decision Making
United Way of Greater Charlotte is committed to having a workforce that reflects our entire community. United Way opposes racism and oppression in all its forms and believes the nonprofit work environment is enhanced when diverse groups of people with ideas come together to achieve common goals. United Way understands that diverse representation and perspectives are vital to our success. We are dedicated to continuous learning and active participation in diversity initiatives while advocating for equitable opportunities across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Committed to deepening understanding of historically marginalized communities' experiences, particularly Black, Indigenous, and Latinx groups, to create more inclusive environments.
WORKPLACE VALUES
- Respect - Treat everyone with dignity, courtesy, and professionalism by listening and appreciating diverse perspectives.
- Appreciation - Recognize contributions, support growth, and foster an inclusive sense of belonging.
- Authenticity - Be genuine and honest, aligning words and actions to build trust.
- Excellence - Deliver high-quality work, seek improvement, and take pride in results.
- Empathy - Show compassion and understanding for colleagues' experiences and needs.
- Collaboration - Share knowledge, support teammates, and work openly toward shared success.
BENEFITS
Comprehensive benefits include Health, Dental, Vision, a 401(k) defined contribution plan, Paid Holidays, and Paid Time Off. Medical Life Insurance, Short and Long-Term Disability, Accident and Critical Illness, and Pet Insurance.
We recognize that candidates may not meet every requirement listed. If you're passionate about lifting children and families out of poverty, have relevant skills and experience, and are eager to learn, we strongly encourage you to apply. Studies show that people from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of the qualifications. We value diverse perspectives and believe that your unique combination of skills, experiences, and enthusiasm might be exactly what we need. Our goal is to build a talented, diverse team committed to our mission, so please don't hesitate to submit your application.
United Way of Greater Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
