Vermont Grants Specialist

FIRST CHILDRENS FINANCE•Vergennes, VT

About The Position

First Children’s Finance (FCF) is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to grow the supply and business sustainability of excellent child care. Founded in 1991, FCF provides business and financial assistance to business owners and leaders in Early Care and Education (ECE). The organization works at the individual business, community, and systems levels, and provides business development programs and/or financing to ECE providers in multiple states, including Vermont. The Vermont Grants Specialist helps administer state, federal, and philanthropic grants, with a particular focus on compliance and program reporting. Reporting to the Senior Grants Manager, the Specialist is a member of the Vermont operations team and connects people and processes in grantmaking activities. The role tracks and manages pass-through grants administered by FCF Vermont to child care providers, partners, and individuals, with a focus on grantee support and compliance, and monitors FCF Vermont’s work to meet the expectations and requirements of grants made to the organization. The position works with the Vermont team on child care grant programs, supports applicants and grantees, processes applications and documentation, monitors grant data and reporting, and helps prepare reports on grants, programs, and organizational deliverables. The position requires travel throughout Vermont as needed and extended periods working at a computer.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience working in a foundation, nonprofit, social service, or small business setting.
Experience working collaboratively with communities of color and low-resourced communities.
Experience managing multiple tasks, prioritizing, and working with little direct supervision.
Strong time and task management skills.
Strong administrative and organizational skills and attention to detail.
Proficiency with current office technology, including advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills, and ability to learn new software and systems.
Ability to work in virtual and web-based platforms.
Strong analytical skills to interpret data, detect patterns, and draw conclusions.
Excellent written and oral communication and active listening skills.
Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills.
Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively with diverse staff, customers, partners, and stakeholders.
Ability to take initiative and complete projects independently while contributing as part of a team.
Willingness and ability to travel throughout Vermont as needed.
Ability to work at a computer for extended periods and travel locally for meetings when needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience with grantmaking, program administration, and/or data analysis, data management, and reporting.
Experience with and/or interest in child care.
Strategic thinking and planning, as well as effective implementation.
Data-driven, curious, and collaborative approach.
Cultural competence.
Team-oriented approach, including being a partner and networker.
Energetic, enthusiastic, can-do attitude, and growth mindset.
Openness to learning and accepting positive and constructive feedback.
Patience and adaptability to changing systems, processes, and templates in a growing environment.
Integrity and trustworthiness, including the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
Ability to promote a positive image of FCF and position it as a key resource in early care and education.

Responsibilities

Work with the Vermont team to conduct grantmaking activities for child care grant programs.
Provide advice, guidance, and technical assistance to applicants and grantees.
Process pass-through grant applications, conduct due diligence, verify documentation, and score applications.
Learn and conduct regulatory compliance checks.
Ensure timely and accurate generation of grant notification letters, grant distributions, and grant agreements.
Maintain electronic grant files documenting reviews and grant decisions.
Track and evaluate grants and ensure grantees submit follow-up reporting on time.
Assist in creating grant reports.
Maintain knowledge of grant funding policies, regulations, and procedures, and communicate and present changes to applicants and grantees.
Monitor data gathered from the grant portal to ensure data integrity and consistency.
Conduct data analyses for reports and program summaries.
Maintain a system for recording and tracking grant proposals, awards, and related statistical information.
Support the gathering, management, and evaluation of event- and program-related data.
Track and help develop reports summarizing FCF Vermont deliverables and achievements for funders.
Perform other duties as assigned.