Grants Manager

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Grants Manager is a key member of the USS Constitution Museum’s Development Department. The Department is led by the Senior Vice President – Chief Development Officer. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Grants Manager will be responsible for building and maintaining the Museum’s pipeline of foundation support for both operating gifts and campaign gifts. A primary responsibility of the position includes managing the Museum’s grant application process through all aspects of the funding cycle (prospect research and identification, cultivation, proposal writing and submission, data collection and reporting, and ongoing stewardship).  Strong writing and organizational skills are required to meet grant deadlines and work collaboratively with the project team.

This position also performs duties that support the overall fundraising goals of the Museum, including staffing special events, supporting the execution of the annual gala, and fundraising for special projects.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The USS Constitution Museum anticipates that this position will devote 50% of time to fundraising for annual operations and 40% of time to fundraising for a major capital campaign. 

• Research and identify potential foundation funding opportunities for both unrestricted operating support and special projects (exhibitions, educational programs, etc.).
• Research and identify potential funding opportunities from institutional funders for capital campaign support.
• Create foundation funding dashboard for Capital Campaign and manage timeline for achieving funding goals over a multi-year campaign.
• Collaborate with senior leadership as well as the Museum Learning, Exhibitions, and Curatorial departments to gather information and materials needed to develop accurate and persuasive funding requests.
• Write and prepare letters of inquiry, concept papers, grant proposals, and online applications for foundation support. Manage submission of all supporting application documents, including budgets, acknowledgement letters, contracts, and all other correspondence.
• Manage annual DataArts submission process as a condition of continued Mass Cultural Council funding.
• Manage government grant application process, working with internal stakeholders to coordinate grant narratives, budgets, attachments, letters of support, and all other documents. Submit applications through the grants.gov portal before the grant deadline.
• Develop and maintain an organization-wide grants calendar to ensure that all grant submission and reporting deadlines are met.
• Maintain the Museum’s relationships with existing foundation funders and program officers, with occasional in-person cultivation visits and site visits.
• Maintain accurate and thorough grants-related records in the Museum’s files and donor/relationship management database.
• Support grants administration and ensure that grant deliverables are being met throughout the organization.
• Work with the Chief Development Officer and the Director of Development to package or revise grant content for other funding opportunities/donor groups as needed.
• Plan, attend, and follow up on regular organization-wide grants meetings.  Attend Capital Campaign and other meetings as required.

Departmental Responsibilities (10% of time)

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to staff and provide support to fundraising and donor cultivation events throughout the year, both in person and virtual. (Collections Open House, Maritime Heritage Awards, Leadership Speaker Series, etc.).
• Write and assist with special fundraising appeals (Commodore’s Fund, exhibitions, educational initiatives, etc.) throughout the year.
• Support the Development Department’s Functions and Rentals program by serving as a back-up event lead as needed.
• Assist with prospect research and project research as needed.
• Participate in professional development, workshops, and trainings as appropriate and requested by supervisor.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years of experience in non-profit fundraising (or comparable) required; arts and culture or museum sector experience preferred.
• BA/BS required (or comparable work experience).
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills with close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent ability to write high quality and compelling narrative on deadline.
• Ability to work independently and proactively, across departments, to ensure fundraising goals are met.
• Knowledge of database management (Raiser’s Edge preferred) and an ability to manage, track and report on giving and submissions as well as funding prospects.
• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.

SCHEDULE: The Grants Manager is a full-time, exempt position with a Monday – Friday work schedule.

TO APPLY: Please send resume and thoughtful cover to DevJobs@usscm.org. No phone calls please. The position will remain open until filled. The Museum anticipates conducting first round phone interviews with qualified candidates in late May-early June.