Position: Grants Manager

Who We Are
:
With the support of our members and sponsors, Ocean State Media Group (RI PBS and The Public’s Radio) serves the needs of all generations within Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. We spark imagination, explore our history, and reflect the values of our diverse community. Guided by civic engagement, we provide unique, high-quality local, national and international programming and digital content that educates, inspires, and engages.

Position:
Grants Manager
Supervises: None
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Exempt / Non-Exempt: Full-Time Exempt

Summary:
Ocean State Media (formerly Rhode Island PBS & The Public’s Radio), serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, is seeking a Grants Manager to lead our efforts in securing institutional funding that supports the transformation and growth of the newly created organization and its local journalism, cross-platform storytelling, educational programs and community-centered experiences.

This role is responsible for building grant operations from the ground up, establishing internal processes, working across teams to surface fundable opportunities, developing strong relationships with funders, and managing the full lifecycle of grants from proposal to final report.

The Grants Manager will align fundraising efforts with strategic priorities, connecting our work in storytelling, news, education, and community engagement with the priorities of foundations, government agencies, and philanthropic institutions. As the organization’s dedicated grants lead, this position will play a pivotal role in expanding institutional support and meeting comprehensive revenue goals.

Specific Duties (including but not limited to):

• Develop and implement a new, organization-wide grant strategy to grow and attract foundation, government, and institutional support.
• Establish internal systems and workflows for identifying, applying for, and managing grants that align with the organization’s goals and initiatives.
• Set measurable success metrics, gather data and qualitative feedback, evaluate impact, deliver reports and recommendations, and adjust strategy accordingly.
• In collaboration with our development and underwriting teams;
  Develop and maintain a portfolio of high-level foundation prospects to cultivate, solicit, and steward.
• Lead and support teams by writing persuasive grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports that reflect the impact and ambition of Ocean State Media’s work.
• Collaborate with staff across departments to understand program needs and develop fundable project concepts.
• Ensure all awarded grants are managed effectively, including budget oversight, compliance, and reporting in partnership with the Finance team.
• Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national funders.
• Collaborate with the Finance team to develop budgets, track expenditures, and ensure compliance with funder guidelines
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on grant activity and portfolio performance
• Stay current on trends in institutional philanthropy, particularly in media, journalism, education, and public service sectors

Required Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in grant management or institutional fundraising, with a successful record of securing major grants.
• Proven success securing foundation or government funding at the five and six-figure levels.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Experience developing project budgets and tracking expenses against grant requirements.
• Comfortable working across departments and translating programmatic work into funder-friendly language.
• Familiarity with grant budgeting and financial reporting
• Deep commitment to the mission and values of public media and service to Rhode Island communities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience creating or expanding a grant program within a nonprofit or mission-driven organization
• Familiarity with public media, journalism, education, or arts funding landscapes
• Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape in Rhode Island and the New England region
• Proficiency with donor…