Grant Manager

Coalition of Asian American Leaders•Paul, ID

About The Position

The Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL) envisions a just and joyful future where all Minnesotans, regardless of background, have the power to shape decisions that affect us and can live with dignity in thriving and caring communities. CAAL is a network of Asian American leaders whose mission is to harness our collective power across ethnicities, age groups, and sectors to improve the lives of communities by connecting, learning, and acting together. We believe our democracy thrives when all communities are visible, included, and fully engaged in key systemic decisions that impact our lives. We embrace the diversity of our community and believe that if we can work together, moving beyond silos, we help ensure a more prosperous future for all Minnesotans. The Grant Manager leads the day-to-day implementation of CAAL’s grantmaking programs, with a primary focus on delivering a high-quality cohort experience and supporting grantee success. This role is responsible for coordinating program activities, managing grantee relationships, and executing key components of the grant lifecycle—from outreach and application through reporting and closeout. The Grant Manager ensures that all program activities are well-organized, accessible, and aligned with CAAL’s values. Working within an established program structure, the Grant Manager partners closely with the Associate Director, who provides strategic direction, compliance oversight, and overall grantmaking framework. This role plays a key part in executing the work with strong follow-through, building meaningful community relationships, and contributing to a positive and impactful experience for grantees.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience; advanced degree preferred in Public Administration, Business, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
Minimum of 3 years of experience in grant management, program coordination, community organizing or a closely related field.
Proven track record of developing and managing successful grant-making programs.
Strong understanding of compliance requirements for state-funded grants.
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Willingness to learn and adapt to new and changing situations
Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution
Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey complex information, give presentations and build relationships
Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills
Availability for occasional evenings/weekends to meet community schedules; ability to travel locally with occasional overnight/multi‑day trips.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual fluency in other Asian languages
Strong knowledge of Asian/Asian American communities and their needs, especially in Minnesota
Experience working with cohort-based or community-centered programs
Familiarity with grantmaking processes or public funding requirements
Experience with CRM or grant tracking systems

Responsibilities

Lead planning and execution of the grantee cohort experience, including onboarding, workshops, site visits, and celebrations
Facilitate or coordinate cohort sessions that build skills, relationships, and shared learning
Manage logistics for all program activities, including scheduling, materials, communications, and attendance tracking
Ensure all program activities are well-organized, well-attended, and aligned with program goals
Deliver a culturally grounded, engaging experience that supports grantee success beyond funding
Serve as the primary point of contact for grantees, building strong, trust-based and culturally responsive relationships
Communicate clear expectations around participation, deliverables, and timelines, and provide ongoing support
Monitor engagement and follow up to ensure participation and completion; elevate challenges or risks to leadership in a timely manner
Lead outreach to recruit applicants, particularly from underrepresented communities, in partnership with the Communications team
Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, leaders, and partners that strengthen the grantmaking program
Identify opportunities for partnerships and collaborations that enhance cohort programming, workshops, and grantee support
Coordinate with the Associate Director and Director of Programs to further develop and formalize partnerships
Represent CAAL at community events and meetings to deepen relationships and expand program reach
Coordinate execution of the full grant cycle, including outreach, application, review support, award communication, and reporting
Ensure all steps in the process are completed on time and clearly communicated to applicants and grantees
Support application review processes by organizing materials, tracking scoring, and documenting decisions
Maintain consistent communication with applicants and grantees throughout the cycle
Implement grant processes and systems established by leadership
Track grant deliverables, reporting deadlines, payments, and required documentation
Maintain accurate, up-to-date grant files and records
Support preparation of reports for funders and internal leadership
Partner with the Associate Director and Director of Programs to ensure compliance requirements are met and questions are addressed
Maintain accurate tracking of grantee participation, outcomes, and program data
Support evaluation and continuous improvement by organizing program insights and feedback
Partner with Communications by identifying and sharing grantee stories, highlights, and impact data
In partnership CAAL leadership, establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government and philanthropic partners, to ensure ongoing support and alignment with program objectives
Provide support to agency-wide activities as necessary—including all-staff events, cross-team initiatives, and special projects—ensuring accurate data capture, clean logistics, and timely follow-through.