Senior Grants Manager - Project On Government Oversight

Founded in 1981 in partnership with whistleblowers, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that works to expose waste, corruption, abuse of power, and other instances where the government fails to serve the public. We champion reforms to achieve a more effective, ethical, and accountable federal government that safeguards constitutional principles. POGO has an over $7 million annual budget that supports a staff of over 50 employees.  

POGO is looking for a talented Senior Grants Manager to play a crucial role in advancing POGO's mission by managing aspects of POGO's grant related fundraising activities involving institutional sources of funding such as private foundations and community foundations. This position reports directly to the Director of Development.  

We encourage potential applicants to apply even if they only have experience or familiarity in some of the areas described below. We fully recognize that many great candidates will not have experience in all of the areas we list, or may have relevant experiences and skills that we have not listed or considered. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Help POGO meet its foundation revenue goals as proposed by the leadership team and approved each year by the POGO Board of Directors. 

• Manage a portfolio of foundations under a value of $50,000 by maintaining and further developing POGO's relationship with them and assisting with revenue and cash flow forecasting. 

• Coordinates quarterly meetings with Executive team members on spend down of project specific grants.  

• Serve as the Board Programs liaison preparing updates for each quarterly board meeting. 

• Organizes, in conjunction with communications and editorial staff POGO's Impact Report. 

• Conduct research, maintenance, and solicitation of foundation prospects list with the goal of moving these into the main organizational grants chart. 

• Serve as the lead point of contact and administration of all pass-through grants for both 501c3 and 501c4, ensuring grant contracts are crafted and signed for each and work with each subgrantee to ensure reports are submitted on time so these can be sent by POGO to the principal funder of each subgrant agreement. 

• Steward efforts to solicit revenues from law firms that are not currently supporting POGO's activities. 

• Assist the Director of Development with foundation solicitation, cultivation and management—including the drafting of letters of inquiry, proposals, reports, and emails—and with tracking grant requirements and communications between POGO staff and funders.  

• Other duties as required to aid POGO in accomplishing its mission. 

Qualifications include: 

• Minimum of 5 years of fundraising experience including successfully developing and managing relationships with external donors—or demonstrated equivalent experience. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work on internal teams, across external organizations, and independently when necessary. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in the area of solicitations, including the ability to translate technical and complicated information into brief, simple yet compelling narratives for prospective and current donors. 

• Creative eye for outreach material design. 

• Demonstrated commitment to working in a nonpartisan and respectful manner with diverse stakeholders. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of difference between 501c3 and 501c4.  

• Demonstrated knowledge of contract crafting. 

• Demonstrated track record of taking initiative to solve problems and adapt to changing circumstances. 

• Ability to handle multiple deadlines throughout the year. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of foundations and grantmaking. 

• Willingness to work in building relationships with law firms. 

• Deals with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and judgment  

• Commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.  

• (+) Working understanding of the relationship between all three branches of government. 

• (+) Experience working CRM databases.  

Compensation, benefits, and other information: 

Washington, DC based preferred; remote work is available for this position, but candidates must be willing (with reasonable accommodations) to travel to DC for occasional in-person meetings when needed.  

This is a full-time position and includes the listed benefits: 

• Competitive nonprofit salary in the range of $68K - $82K 

• Health, dental, and vision insurance 

• 403(b) employee investment plan available, with employer retirement contribution once eligible 

• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage 

• Paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave 

  

To Apply: Submit cover letter and resume. No phone calls please. 

Application Deadline: February 4th  

 POGO is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. We encourage all interested and qualified individuals to apply.