Grants Manager

Who We Are

Solid Ground (SG) is an award-winning nonprofit organization whose proven, holistic approach helps families build the strong foundations they need to emerge from homelessness into a brighter future. Through safe, affordable housing and innovative supportive programming, Solid Ground helps families transition to a higher-level of self-sufficiency and break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for the next generation.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At the heart of Solid Ground is the belief that housing stability is fundamental to the healthy development of children and to a family’s ability to be contributing members of the community. Solid Ground currently runs eight programs in suburban Ramsey and Washington Counties and housing over 660 individuals annually. Our mission is to prevent and end homelessness for families with children in the communities we serve through housing, resources, and opportunity.

Wages

$32.00 - $35.00 per hour depending on qualifications and level of experience

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick time
• 12 paid holidays
• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and options for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Long-term disability insurance – the employer pays the premiums
• Employer-paid basic life insurance with the option for additional coverage paid by the employee
• Voluntary benefits: Accident, hospital indemnity, critical illness, short-term disability insurance
• Solid Ground sponsors a retirement plan with a 3% employer match plus immediate vesting

Because Solid Ground is a member with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) who partners with St. Mary’s University, Solid Ground employees and their spouses are also eligible for the following benefits at St. Mary’s University:

• Discounted tuition for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to advancement (internships, job placement, field practice)

Job Summary

Solid Ground is hiring a Grants Manager to manage Solid Ground’s institutional funding portfolio, including government grants, private and family foundations, and corporate foundations. In partnership with the Director of Advancement, this position carries out the annual institutional giving plan, builds funder relationships, and oversees research, proposals, reporting, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Carry out the annual institutional fundraising plan with the Director of Advancement, working toward revenue goals and pipeline targets.
• Research and prioritize funding opportunities by eligibility, mission alignment, financial potential, likelihood of success, and organizational capacity.
• Maintain the grants database, master calendar, and institutional funding pipeline, including application and reporting deadlines, submissions, awards, renewals, and funder records.
• Work with Advancement and Program staff to identify funding needs and opportunities supporting Solid Ground’s work and growth.
• Track and report pipeline activity, renewal rates, and funding secured.
• Write and submit letters of inquiry, grant proposals, renewal requests, and narrative and financial reports, tailoring Solid Ground’s story to each funder and meeting all requirements and deadlines.
• Partner with Program staff and Solid Ground’s contracted Finance firm to gather accurate program data, outcomes, stories, and financial information.
• Develop grant budgets and ensure submissions accurately reflect programs and funding needs.
• Maintain current boilerplate language, program descriptions, impact statistics, financial documents, and other required attachments.
• Establish and improve grant development protocols that clarify responsibilities, deadlines, and expectations for all contributors.
• Coordinate government grant applications and financial compliance, including allowable expenses and required documentation.
• Monitor deliverables, funding restrictions, and performance requirements.
• Manage relationships with government agencies, private and family foundations, and corporate foundations through concise and timely communication and reporting.
• Prepare the Director of Advancement, Executive Director, and program leaders for significant funder conversations and grant-related site visits.
• Secure and steward corporate sponsorships for events and programs, including sponsorship packages, sponsor benefits, and recognition.
• Support the Capital Campaign through grant writing and gathering relevant data and stories.
• Work with marketing and communications staff to maintain consistent language across proposals, social media, and other materials.
• Protect confidential donor, participant, and financial information in accordance with Solid Ground policies.

What You Bring

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or demonstrably equivalent knowledge gained through alternative courses of study and life experience.
• 3-5 years of relevant experience, including at least 2 years in grant writing or institutional fundraising, and a track record of securing and managing nonprofit government, foundation, or corporate grants.
• Experience writing nonprofit grants for housing, supportive services, and youth and family support.
• Experience in program development and evaluation is preferred.
• Familiarity working with individual donors is preferred.
• Strong research and prospect evaluation skills, including familiarity with databases and other funding research resources.
• Excellent proposal writing, editing, proofreading, and reporting skills with the demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
• Proficiency in budgeting and financial analysis for grant proposals, including familiarity with government grant requirements, compliance, and reporting.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to work independently, establish priorities, and manage multiple deadlines.
• The ability to collaborate in a team-oriented environment and a demonstrated commitment to Solid Ground’s mission, vision, and values.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite, and Zoom.
• The ability to use AI tools, when appropriate, to improve research, drafting, and workflow efficiency; all while reviewing for accuracy, protecting confidential information, and retaining the responsibility for the final work product.
• The ability to think strategically to maximize funding opportunities.
• Valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation, and the ability to meet Solid Ground’s driving record requirements. Please note that if the license was not issued in the state of Minnesota, you have 60 days after becoming a Minnesota resident in which to apply for your Minnesota driver's license or permit.

Diversity and open expression are fundamental to the work of Solid Ground. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment where everyone can belong. Every member of our team enriches our work by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in our sector: individuals who identify as BIPOC, Indigenous or people of culture, LGBTQI+ and gender fluid or gender nonconforming, individuals with disabilities (both seen and unseen), veterans, people of any age or family status. We value the contributions of a diverse workforce, and we welcome and encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We encourage you to apply even if you feel like you don't fit 100% of the technical requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, age, marital status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, criminal history (justice-impacted status), housing or homelessness status, height, or weight.

Our organization has a partnership with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) to provide administrative services including management of the hiring process. If you apply for this position, you may see references to MACC in some online materials.

Solid Ground participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. See E-Verify’s official poster at https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf. See E-Verify’s Right to Work poster at https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng_Es.pdf.