Grants Manager

ABOUT GUITARS OVER GUNS: 

Guitars Over Guns Organization (GOGO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides music education and mentorship by pairing students from vulnerable communities in Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York with professional musicians. Our goal? To help them overcome challenges, discover their voice, and unleash their potential as future leaders. Since 2008, we've positively impacted over 9,700 students, boosting academic achievement and engagement. Organization-wide, we're making waves with a $4.7 million budget and serving over 1500 youth across 58 schools and community sites in Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City. Join us in making a difference through the power of music in shaping the future for tomorrow's leaders.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As the first Grants Manager at Guitars Over Guns, you will play a pivotal role in securing vital funding to support our mission. You will be at the forefront of our efforts to secure funding from various sources by writing enticing and effective proposals that leverage a deep understanding of targeted funders and their interests. With your strong organization skills, you will expertly manage the grant lifecycle from inception to reporting and cultivate strong relationships with stakeholders.

In this dynamic role, you'll be responsible for prospecting potential grants, crafting compelling grant proposals, and navigating the intricacies of grantor relationships. You'll collaborate closely with internal teams to gather success stories and data, ensuring alignment with grantor priorities and effectively communicating our impact. Your exceptional project management skills will shine as you coordinate timelines, deadlines, and stakeholder involvement using tools like Asana, serving as a centralized source of organization and efficiency. Additionally, your sharp financial skills will empower you to develop project-based budgets that align with our strategic objectives and address budgetary gaps.

POSITION PRIORITIES: 

• Travel regularly to all regions to experience programming in-person.
• Write persuasive grant proposals tailored to grantor priorities and effectively communicate the impact of our programs.
• Manage the grant process from start to finish, ensuring compliance with requirements and deadlines.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and internal teams to support grantor stewardship and collaboration.
• Utilize project management tools like Asana to maintain a grants calendar and to coordinate timelines, deadlines, and stakeholder involvement.
• Develop project-based budgets guided by strategic objectives and budgetary considerations.
• Craft compelling narratives by interpreting data and tailoring language to align with grantor priorities.
• Build a deep understanding of our curriculum and programs to effectively communicate our work to funders.
• Navigate the complexities of government grants and compliance regulations with confidence and expertise.
• Provide timely and accurate reporting, including finance reimbursement and performance reports.
• Prospect and research potential grants that align with our organizational goals.

ABOUT YOU:

• Excellent writing and storytelling skills, ideally in a youth-facing context.
• Strong project management abilities, including organization, timelines, and deadlines.
• Existing network or relationships within the grant funding landscape.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet management and budget creation for grant submissions.
• Knowledge of government grants, compliance requirements, and financial reporting.
• Ability to adapt communication styles based on grantor preferences and needs.
• Demonstrated success in stakeholder management and interdepartmental collaboration.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work effectively with diverse teams and changing priorities.
• Commitment to transparency, integrity, and ethical grant writing practices.