Grants & Development Operations Manager; Part-Time

About Founder Forward

Overlooked and underrepresented founders have long struggled against an economy designed to block their progress. As a result, generational wealth‑building efforts have been slow and subject to frequent reversal. Founder Forward is a 501(c)(3) non‑profit organization that provides funding and strategic support to diverse founders in emerging regions. Founder Forward believes that challenging the economic injustice of systemic geographic inequalities, funding disparities, and lack of access to information begins with empowering founders in emerging regions.

As an organization we hope to play an impactful role by challenging the systemic wealth inequities that persist through the concentration of wealth in major cities across the United States.

Since our founding, we have distributed $860,000 to 125 founders across 25 states, creating pathways to economic mobility and investment readiness.

Founder Forward is seeking a highly detail-oriented, systems‑driven professional to serve as a contract Grants & Development Operations Manager to lead and execute the organization’s grant strategy and infrastructure. The ideal candidate should have demonstrated experience writing successful grant proposals, managing full grant life cycles, and building disciplined internal systems that support sustainable revenue growth.

As Founder Forward continues to strengthen its institutional foundation and diversify revenue streams, this role will take the lead on producing high‑quality grant submissions while building the operational backbone required for long‑term funding success. This position is suited for someone who operates strategically, but is also highly hands‑on in execution. A successful Grants & Development Operations Manager is an exceptional writer, meticulous project manager, disciplined systems builder, and proactive communicator who thrives in a fast‑paced, nonprofit environment.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this is a fully remote part‑time position averaging 15‑20 hours per week, depending on volume and availability of grant opportunities.

Proposal Development & Submission Management (40%)

• Draft compelling, evidence‑based grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and renewal applications
• Prepare template language that can easily be applied and modified to new grants
• Collaborate with program teams to develop accurate, itemized budgets
• Integrate internal impact data and relevant external research into proposals
• Ensure clarity, alignment, and measurable outcomes in all submissions

Submission Process Management

• Manage grant calendar including first draft, second draft, review, approval, and submission deadlines
• Ensure all submissions follow Founder Forward’s internal review and approval process
• Maintain compliance with funder guidelines, formatting requirements, and portal protocols
• Track submission confirmations and funding status

Grant Strategy & Prospecting (25%)

• Research and identify aligned foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities
• Analyze RFP guidelines and create concise funding profiles to assess strategic fit
• Maintain and manage a robust grant pipeline with clear next steps and deadlines
• Contribute to fundraising strategy discussions with research insights and recommendations

Strategic Opportunity Assessment

• Evaluate funding alignment with organizational priorities and capacity
• Identify opportunities for multi‑year or renewable funding
• Track diversification across funding sources

Development Operations & Compliance (25%)

• Maintain accurate grant records in CRM and shared systems
• Track award status, reporting requirements, and renewal timelines
• Create internal dashboards to support monthly board and financial reporting cadence
• Document correspondence and maintain organized grant files

Post‑Award Reporting

• Track reporting deadlines and proactively manage deliverables
  
  Draft narrative reports in collaboration with program staff
• Coordinate with finance to support financial reporting requirements
• Ensure timely submission of all required reporting documentation

Strategic Support & Cross‑Functional Collaboration (10%)

• Partner with program staff to align…