Grants Manager

Reel Works is hiring an experienced Grants Manager to lead and grow our institutional giving portfolio in support of our mission to nurture, mentor, and train the next generation of filmmakers.

Reporting to the CEO, the Grants Manager plays a key leadership role in advancing the organization’s mission by securing the institutional funding needed to sustain and grow our programs. This position manages the full lifecycle of grants with foundation, corporate, and government partners: from prospect research and proposal development to funder cultivation and stewardship. With the help of a contracted Grant Writer, the Grants Manager collaborates across teams to align funding strategies with organizational priorities and effectively communicate our impact to funders and stakeholders.

Grant Lifecycle Management (60%)

• Conduct the full range of activities required to research, prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and supporting materials (including budgets) to foundation, corporate, and government funders
• Manage a calendar of foundation, corporate, and government grant deadlines, ensuring timely submission of proposals and reports
• Perform research to evaluate and prioritize prospects for government, corporate, and foundation grants
• Partner with the program team to develop new proposals and funding strategies, ensuring timely and accurate reporting on all activities
• Coordinate with Finance and Data & Impact teams on financial and programmatic components of grants
• Ensure compliance with funder guidelines and maintain accurate records of all submissions and awards

Funder & Stakeholder Relationship Management (25%)

• Cultivate and steward relationships with foundation, corporate, and government funders to understand their priorities and align them with the organization’s mission and programs
• Build strong internal relationships with program staff build grant project plans and ensure collaboration on proposal development, reporting, and impact storytelling
• Work closely with the development team to ensure consistent communication and messaging across all donor and funder relationships
• Represent the organization at occasional meetings and events with funders and partners (e.g; in office and offsite funder site visits)

Strategic Development & Communications (15%)

• Work with the development team to prepare key fundraising and donor cultivation materials such as the Annual Report, funder briefings, and impact summaries
• Maintain a working knowledge of philanthropic trends and emerging funding opportunities relevant to the organization’s mission
• Think boldly, strategically, and creatively in developing compelling, data-driven fundraising narratives and appeals that advance organizational goals

QUALIFICATIONS

THE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE

• 5+ years of grant writing experience, with a proven track record managing a grants portfolio of at least $3MM across government, corporate, and foundation funders
• Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft concise, compelling, and persuasive narratives that convey our mission and impact on the young people we serve
• Financial literacy and the ability to develop and interpret program budgets and grant reports
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in using data to communicate program outcomes through clear, data-driven storytelling
• Excellent project management and time management abilities, with a talent for balancing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines
• Technical proficiency, including strong computer skills and experience with databases, word processing, and AI tools for research, drafting, and analysis
• Experience with Salesforce or other CRM systems, and Asana or other project management platforms
• Proficient in Google Suite [Drive, Calendar, Sheets, Docs, Meet and Mail]
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams, showing leadership in your area of responsibility with initiative, sound judgment, and professionalism
• Availability for occasional evening events
• B.A. or higher degree required

THE QUALITIES & ALIGNMENT YOU HAVE

• Eligible to work in the U.S.
• A passion for our mission to mentor and train young filmmakers and build career pathways for underrepresented New Yorkers
• Alignment with our core values: Growth, Trust, Empathy, Community, and Self-expression
• A genuine enthusiasm for fundraising and cultivating strong, long-term relationships with institutional partners
• A collaborative approach that builds strong partnerships with program, finance, and development staff throughout the grant process
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, both within the org and among our broader community of stakeholders
• A detail-oriented, proactive, and mission-driven mindset that thrives in a dynamic, team-oriented environment
• Growth mindset, effectively seeking diverse learning and experience and proactively implementing feedback for continued improvement
• A high degree of integrity, reliability, and trustworthiness in stewarding funder and organizational relationships