Grants Manager

The Grants Manager leads the successful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of foundation and corporate grant funding. This role is responsible for managing the full grant lifecycle, from prospect research and strategy development to proposal writing, submission, reporting, and compliance. The Grants Manager ensures alignment between funding strategies, program implementation, and financial stewardship. The Grants Manager plays a critical role in achieving annual contributed revenue goals and strengthening funder relationships that advance the M’s mission and long-term sustainability. The ideal candidate will possess knowledge of local, state and national funding entities, have strong funding research and writing skills, and will possess demonstrated strengths in building interpersonal connections and understanding relational dynamics.

Work Environment and Schedule: Must be able to successfully work both independently and collaboratively in an office setting. Work schedule is 9-hour days Tuesday through Friday; requires occasional work on evenings and weekends based on department needs and event schedules. The M staff works in a hybrid office environment; in-office needs may require on-site attendance throughout the week.

Specific Responsibilities 

• Research, write, and manage all grant applications and complete all grant reporting requirements (corporate, private foundations, and government).
• Systematically identify new funding streams from federal, state, and private philanthropic sources.
• Work with the Leadership Team to develop and implement annual grant strategies.
• Serve as an internal thought partner on funder positioning, case development, and narrative strategy.
• Maintain relevant understanding of Minnesota and national foundation landscapes, trends, and funding priorities and share information, changes and updates with appropriate staff and leadership.
• Track grant progress and monitor program outcomes for grant purposes; compile detailed participant data and records of all grants.
• Translate data and outcomes into compelling, funder-ready narratives.
• Own and manage a comprehensive grants calendar to ensure 100% on-time submission and reporting compliance.
• Track and document all grant activity in the Salesforce database to ensure accurate reporting and forecasting.
• Maintain strong relationships with funders and provide support as needed for strengthening The M’s leadership relationships with funders.
• Work with the Director of Operations in developing annual revenue budgets and expense budgets annually.
• Work closely with Finance Team to track pledges, manage aging reports, and ensure accurate revenue recognition.
• Work with Finance Team to ensure all restricted funds are monitored for compliance and proper allocation.
• Complete other duties as assigned as a member of the museum team.

Minimum Qualifications
Minimum 3 years of demonstrated success in writing and managing corporate, private foundations, and government grants.
Strong project and time management skills.
Ability to maintain a high level of performance and detail across multiple projects.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Able to build positive and mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple deadlines and complex workflows.
Cultural competency and demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
Curiosity for, and interest in, American art and the M’s permanent collection.

Desired Qualifications 
Grant experience in a museum and/or arts organization
BA degree in a related field
Experience with nonprofit finances and budgeting
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite

We know there are great candidates who may not fit into the criteria we have outlined above, or who have important skills we have not thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.
How to Apply: Submit cover letter and resume along with a complete grant proposal that demonstrates your narrative writing skills (change or omit distinguishing names and details) via email.

Deadline to apply is April 20, 2026