Grants Manager (55744)

YSS•Ames, IA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

YSS is looking for a Grants Manager who can combine strategic thinking, exceptional writing, and relationship-building skills to secure funding that fuels hope, healing, and opportunity for youth and families across Iowa. If you're energized by crafting compelling proposals, collaborating with passionate leaders, researching new opportunities, and seeing your work directly impact communities, this could be the perfect next step in your career. As a key member of the Community Engagement Team, you'll lead the development and management of federal, state, local, and private grant opportunities that support YSS's mission. You'll work alongside program experts, finance professionals, and organizational leaders to transform needs into fundable solutions and ensure critical resources reach the young people who need them most. At YSS, you'll join a team of people who believe every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive. Your work will directly support programs that provide hope, stability, recovery, and connection for youth and families across Iowa. Every successful grant helps create new possibilities. Every proposal represents lives that can be changed. And every day, you'll help make that impact possible.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Business, Human Services, or a related field.
Three or more years of experience in grant writing, fundraising, development, or nonprofit advancement.
Proven success developing and submitting competitive grant proposals.
Travel, including transporting clients, is required for this position.
For YSS insurance purposes, you must: be 21 years of age, have a current, valid, state-issued, driver’s license, and have a clean driving record.

Nice To Haves

Strong writing, editing, research, and communication skills with the ability to turn data and outcomes into compelling grant proposals.
Proven ability to manage multiple deadlines with strong organization, accuracy, and follow-through.
Experience using budgets, program data, and outcomes to support grant development and funding requests.
Ability to build effective, collaborative relationships across teams and stakeholders.
Experience managing the full grant lifecycle, from prospecting through reporting.
Familiarity with federal and state grant requirements, compliance, and reporting standards.
Experience with Raiser's Edge or similar CRM/grant management systems.
Knowledge of behavioral health, youth services, education, housing, or human services.
Strong initiative in identifying funding opportunities and improving organizational impact.
Dependable, self-motivated, and great at taking initiative.
Rooted in purpose and driven by equity, inclusion, and positive social impact.
Brings humility, respect, and cultural awareness to every interaction.
Speaks a second language (especially one spoken in our communities).
Lived experience navigating recovery from addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, or housing instability.

Responsibilities

Lead Grant Development & Submission: Manage the full lifecycle of grant opportunities, from prospect research through submission and award tracking.
Write, edit, and coordinate compelling grant proposals, letters of intent, narratives, and supporting documentation.
Ensure all applications meet funder requirements, deadlines, and submission standards.
Coordinate the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, including bidder conferences, funder communications, amendments, and application management.
Develop proposal timelines, assign responsibilities, and keep projects moving forward.
Build Strong Internal Partnerships: Collaborate closely with program leaders to understand community needs, program goals, and funding priorities.
Partner with Finance and Accounting teams to develop and review grant budgets and funding schedules.
Gather data, outcomes, organizational information, and supporting materials needed for successful proposals.
Maintain regular engagement with program teams to stay informed about emerging needs, trends, and opportunities.
Research & Grow Funding Opportunities: Identify and evaluate new federal, state, local, and private funding opportunities.
Maintain awareness of community needs, funding trends, and philanthropic priorities.
Build and maintain a robust resource library of data, statistics, research, and funding information.
Actively seek opportunities to expand organizational funding capacity and diversify revenue sources.
Track, Organize & Report: Manage grant records, deadlines, opportunities, and reporting through Raiser's Edge (RE).
Maintain accurate grant tracking systems, files, and annual grant activity reports.
Monitor submitted applications and communicate progress with internal stakeholders.
Support organizational planning by providing data and funding insights to leadership teams.
Effectively oversees day-to-day grant development operations assigned.
Duties may change at any time.