Grants Manager

The Grants Manager is a key member of the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) Development team, responsible for managing a portfolio of foundation, corporate, and government grants that support PEF and the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD).

The Grants Manager oversees the full grant lifecycle, from prospect research and proposal development through award management, reporting, and renewal, while building PEF's pipeline of grant support. Combining strong writing and research with project management, relationship building, and collaboration, this position connects funding opportunities with PEF and PUSD programs and priorities.

Working closely with the Senior Director of Development, the Grants Manager contributes to PEF's broader fundraising strategy and annual goal of raising approximately $5 million to expand educational opportunities for Pasadena Unified students.

• Research and identify foundation, corporate, government, and other grant opportunities aligned with PEF and PUSD priorities.
• Manage a pipeline of prospective, current, and renewable funders.
• Evaluate funding opportunities for alignment with organizational and funder priorities and make recommendations to the Senior Director of Development.
• Maintain a comprehensive grants calendar tracking applications, awards, reports, renewals, and key deadlines.
• Develop a strong understanding of PEF and PUSD programs, priorities, outcomes, and emerging needs while staying informed about trends and opportunities in education philanthropy and public funding.

• Develop persuasive letters of inquiry, concept papers, proposals, and applications that translate PEF and PUSD programs, needs, data, and outcomes into compelling narratives tailored to funder priorities.
• Collaborate with PEF and PUSD program and finance staff to gather information, data, budgets, and supporting documentation, ensuring accuracy and alignment across proposal materials.
• Manage proposal timelines and ensure complete, accurate, and timely submissions.

• Manage awarded grants from notification through closeout, coordinating with program and finance staff to monitor expenditures, deliverables, reporting requirements, and compliance with grant agreements.
• Prepare and submit timely interim and final reports that effectively communicate progress, outcomes, challenges, and impact.
• Maintain accurate grant records, including proposals, awards, reports, correspondence, and funder activity in PEF's donor database and grant tracking systems.
• Track renewals and identify opportunities to maintain or increase grant support.

• Build and maintain relationships with foundation, corporate, government, and community funding partners, serving as a primary point of contact for grant-related communication.
• Coordinate funder meetings, site visits, presentations, and other engagement opportunities with the Senior Director of Development, Executive Director, and appropriate PEF and PUSD staff.
• Support cultivation and stewardship by researching funder interests, preparing leadership briefings, and communicating the impact of funder support.

• Partner with the Senior Director of Development to implement PEF's grant strategy and identify opportunities to grow and diversify grant revenue.
• Provide insight on the grant pipeline, prospective opportunities, renewals, and funding trends to inform Development planning and fundraising priorities.
• Build strong working relationships across PEF and PUSD and contribute to broader Development initiatives and fundraising activities.

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in grant writing, fundraising, nonprofit development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success developing foundation, corporate, and/or government grant proposals.
• Excellent writing, editing, research, and storytelling skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, persuasive narratives.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the…