Sponsorship & Grants Manager

Reports To:

Vice President of Workforce Development

Classification:
Full-Time, Exempt

SWFL Inc. is seeking a highly organized, relationship-driven Sponsorship & Grants Manager to lead the organization's sponsorship administration, grant development, grant compliance, and donor stewardship.

This position bridges revenue generation and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable developing compelling grant proposals, cultivating funding relationships, managing sponsorship fulfillment, tracking deliverables, and ensuring compliance with public and private funding requirements.

The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, possess exceptional writing and project management skills, and be passionate about advancing economic development, workforce development, and regional prosperity in Southwest Florida.

• Assist in managing the organization's annual sponsorship program across all events, programs, and initiatives.
• Assist in developing sponsorship proposals, agreements, presentations, and renewal strategies.
• Maintain sponsorship inventory and ensure benefits are delivered accurately and on time.
• Coordinate closely with marketing, events, and finance to fulfill sponsor commitments.
• Track sponsorship pipeline and renewal opportunities within the CRM.
• Produce sponsorship performance reports and revenue forecasts.
• Assist leadership with sponsor cultivation and stewardship.
• Research federal, state, local, and private grant opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Write persuasive grant applications, letters of intent, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate internal subject matter experts to gather required information.
• Maintain a grant calendar with submission deadlines and reporting requirements.
• Manage grant agreements from award through closeout.
• Monitor grant budgets and allowable expenditures.
• Ensure compliance with all grant regulations and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate required documentation, procurement records, and performance metrics.
• Prepare financial and narrative reports for funders.
• Assist with audits and monitoring visits.
• Maintain complete grant files and documentation.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with grantors, sponsors, foundations, and funding partners.
• Coordinate recognition and stewardship activities.
• Support leadership in funding presentations and meetings.

• Maintain accurate records within CRM and grant management systems.
• Track key performance indicators for sponsorship and grant revenue.
• Develop dashboards and reports for leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Monitor funding trends and identify future opportunities.
• Assist with annual budgeting and revenue forecasting.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, English, Marketing, or a related field.
• Five or more years of experience in grant writing, grants management, sponsorship sales, fundraising, business development, or nonprofit development.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Financial literacy with the ability to understand budgets and grant compliance.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM/database systems.

• Certified Grant Professional (GPC) or Grant Professionals Association training.

• Exceptional written communication
• Strategic thinking
• Attention to detail
• Professional judgment

• Increase grant funding secured for organizational initiatives.
• Successfully manage sponsor fulfillment with high satisfaction.
• Develop a multi-year grants pipeline aligned with strategic priorities.
• Create standardized grant management and sponsorship tracking processes.
• Establish dashboards that provide leadership with real-time visibility into funding opportunities, revenue, and compliance status.