Grant Administrator/Grant Writer

We are The Forum

Who We Are:

A collective of institutions and leaders, the African American Leadership Forum serves as a community innovation accelerator. We empower Black communities to imagine, then create an equitable future. As a think-and-do-tank for the state of Minnesota, we combine the functions of a think tank (providing research and analysis of social/ political issues) with the action-oriented role of an activist organization.

What We Do:

Using data research and policy, discourse-driven convenings, design innovation, and strategic leadership development, the Forum drives for change by confronting racism and inequities, to improve the living standards of Black Minnesotans.

Our Impact Areas:

Education, Health, Public Safety, Economic Prosperity, Environmental Justice, and Generational Wealth Building.

Grant Administrator/Grant Writer

The African American Leadership Forum (the Forum) is seeking a dynamic and visionary Grant Administrator/Grant Writer to help fuel our mission of transforming systems, inspiring collaboration, and driving equitable change within the African American community. This role is a unique opportunity to play a key part in advancing our work by securing and managing the funding that powers our bold initiatives and innovative programs. We're looking for a strategic thinker who can artfully translate the transformative impact of the Forum's programs and success stories into compelling and targeted funding proposals. The ideal candidate is both creative and meticulous-able to manage the entire grant lifecycle with precision, from research and proposal development to implementation and reporting. Success in this role requires someone who thrives at the intersection of big-picture vision and detailed execution. Exceptional organizational skills and a sharp strategic mind are a must. You'll navigate complex priorities with ingenuity, ensuring every project moves forward seamlessly. Managing multiple initiatives simultaneously, you'll bring a high degree of accountability, follow-through, and a commitment to excellence in everything you do. As a key contributor to the Forum's fund development efforts, the Grants Administrator/Grant Writer will ensure compliance with grant guidelines, maintain accurate records and reports, and support the use of our donor management system, Salesforce. Collaboration will be central to your work, engaging with cross-functional teams to gather program insights, success stories, and data that strengthen our proposals and fundraising appeals. This position is more than an administrative role-it's a chance to help shape a future where equity and opportunity are possible for all. You'll join a passionate team that believes in the power of collective leadership to inspire change and empower communities.

To Be Successful in This Role, You Will Be:

• A Strategic Project Manager: You bring precision, organization, and a natural ability to keep complex projects on track.
• A Creative Problem Solver: You approach challenges with fresh ideas and find opportunities where others see obstacles.
• Highly Organized: You excel at managing processes, calendars, and deadlines with efficiency and care.
• A Skilled Communicator: You can craft clear, compelling messages and collaborate effectively with others.

Pay Transparency:

At the Forum, we offer a transparent view into two key components of your total compensation package: Base Salary and Benefits. Learn more about the benefits package this role is eligible to participate in below. For our Grant Administrator/Grant Writer position, our pay range is $28.84 - $33.65 per hour, based on experience. This role has been classified as a regular full-time, non-exempt role that is paid on an hourly basis.

Benefits:

Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, plus 12 paid holidays per year; competitive health, dental, and vision insurance offerings, Health Savings Account (HSA) and options for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), employer paid life and AD&D insurance with the option for additional coverage, and employer paid short- and long-term disability insurance; agency sponsored retirement plan with 4% employer match and immediate vesting.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grant Administration

• Oversee the active grants portfolio to ensure compliance with funder guidelines and organizational standards.
• Partner with the finance team to track grant budgets and provide accurate financial reports to funders.
• Prepare and submit timely and thorough interim and final grant reports.
• Keep grant documentation organized and accessible for auditing and future reference.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for funders, fostering positive and professional relationships.

Grant Writing and Development

• Research and identify grant opportunities that align with the Forum's mission, goals, and transformational programs.
• Lead the full grant lifecycle, from prospecting and proposal development to award and follow-up reporting.
• Craft compelling grant proposals that highlight the Forum's impact, complete with clear project narratives, budgets, and measurable outcomes.
• Build persuasive cases for support, drawing on both qualitative stories and quantitative data to connect with funders.
• Maintain and manage a grants calendar to track application deadlines, reporting requirements, and renewal opportunities.
• Collaborate with program staff to gather critical content, such as program details, success stories, and impact metrics.
• Develop templates and reusable content to streamline future grant applications.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership to identify funding priorities and growth opportunities.
• Work with the Evaluation and Learning team to track and communicate program outcomes, impact metrics, and success stories.
• Translate the Forum's Theory of Change and measurable impact into compelling narratives that inspire funder support.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Three to five years of experience in grant writing and administration with a strong track record of securing funding.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills to craft clear, persuasive, and impactful proposals.
• Strong research and analytical skills to identify opportunities and develop strategies.
• Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Office Suite and grants management platforms (e.g., Salesforce).
• Outstanding organizational skills and ability to manage projects with precision and efficiency.
• Experience with budget development, financial tracking, and reporting.
• Keen attention to detail and the ability to meet strict deadlines consistently.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a talent for collaborative work across teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively while remaining self-motivated and independent.
• Analytical thinking and a problem-solving mindset to navigate challenges with creativity and adaptability.

About the Forum:

The African American Leadership Forum operates as a think-and-do tank. We convert research-based thought on social issues into action-oriented agenda and solutions, which address the fundamental causes of racial injustice. Our solutions are aimed to impact the areas of economic prosperity, generational wealth building, public safety, education, health and environmental justice.

Organizational Information:

Diversity and open expression are fundamental to the work of African American Leadership Forum. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment where everyone can belong. Every member of our team enriches our work by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in our sector: individuals who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQI+ and gender fluid or gender nonconforming, individuals with disabilities (both seen and unseen), veterans, people of any age or family status. We encourage you to apply even if you feel like you don't fit 100% of the technical requirements. Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, disability, marital status, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or a protected veteran's status.

Our organization has a partnership with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) to provide administrative services including management of the hiring process. If you apply for this position, you may see references to MACC in some online materials.

The Forum participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. See E-Verify's official poster at https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf. See E-Verify's Right to Work poster at https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng_Es.pdf.