Grants Manager

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Ford Foundation seeks an experienced Grants Manager (GM) who will be responsible for managing the end-to-end grantmaking process for select programmatic portfolio(s).

Reporting to the Associate Director of Grants Management (AD), the GM will be a key partner and advisor to their team and grantees on all grantmaking processes, policies and systems. This role is highly collaborative and will have accountability to support and maintain best practices and standards in grants management.

The ideal candidate will be a detail-oriented, knowledgeable and adaptable person who can work independently and as part of a team.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 30, 2026

Please submit both a resume and cover letter to be considered.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grant Portfolio Management and Planning
• Works with the Program Director (PD), Program Officers (POs), Program Assistants and AD to achieve a steady flow of grantmaking during the year
• Collaborates with the program teams and supports the PD and POs in grant planning, including budget projections, due diligence and proposal invitations
• Advises program teams on efficient, effective and appropriate funding structures

Grant Proposal and Report Review
• Conducts a complete review of the proposal record with a focus on the content, quality and accuracy of the data and information
• Reviews and approves narrative and financial reports for alignment with Foundation policies
• Coordinates legal review of tax status of new non-US grantee organizations
• Partners with Grants Compliance Unit on proposal and report review

Grant Monitoring and Grantee Engagement
• Provides support and technical assistance to prospective and current grantees
• Ensures timely and accurate payments to grantees
• Works with POs and Senior Manager on select grantee audits
• Exhibits best practices in grantmaking by ensuring grant records are updated

Budget Management and Financial Health Analysis
• Manages and monitors program budget(s) to ensure funds are accurately appropriated
• Analyzes grantee financial health and related due diligence
• Provides input and guidance to POs for strategic review of the organizational financial health of grantees

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience, with a minimum of 5 years of progressive grants management experience in a philanthropic organization
• Knowledge of budgeting, analysis, reporting and grants management
• Demonstrated experience in managing and supporting multiple teams and a portfolio of grants and budgets
• A successful track record in setting priorities, analyzing data, problem solving skills
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills and organizational capabilities
• Ability to multitask, meet deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated experience working with GSuite, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Knowledge of the legal and compliance issues pertaining to a U.S.-based private foundation with domestic and international grantmaking
• Familiarity with grants management software and related systems, preferably Fluxx

SALARY: Starting salary is $120,000

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time

LOCATION: This position is based in the foundation's New York office. We operate in a hybrid model and require staff to be in the office three days per week.

BENEFITS:
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits effective on your first day
• Generous time off, including personal, vacation, sick, extended holiday time off, and wellness days
• Generous parental leave policy
• Comprehensive retirement benefits options (with employee and employer contributions of up to 13%)
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements

Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at The Ford Foundation.