Purpose
Do you have a passion for raising funds to support children from a diverse range of abilities and backgrounds?
The grants team plays a critical role in raising revenue for Kindering’s operations and programs. The Director of Grants is responsible for leading Kindering’s Grants Team, setting the organization’s grants strategy, and executing their own grants portfolio, which includes the full grant lifecycle, from prospecting and proposal development to award management, compliance, and reporting.
This position works under the supervision of the Chief Advancement Officer and oversees the Grant Writer(s), and works in close collaboration with the Advancement Team, leadership, programs, and other staff across the organization.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:
Strategic Leadership & Team Management
- Lead the strategy, coordination, and execution of Kindering’s grants portfolio.
- Collaborate with leadership to align grant funding with programmatic and organizational goals.
- Ensure fundraising goals are met and quality standards upheld by the Grants Team.
- Support others with their assigned grant proposals and reports.
- Foster a positive work environment that promotes professional development of Grant Writer(s).
Grant Revenue & Portfolio Management
- Secure $2.25 million or more in grant revenue annually.
- Manage a portfolio of more than 75 foundation, corporate, and government funders, with a full range of responsibilities for assigned grants.
- Maintain a working knowledge of Kindering’s programs, strategies, and funding priorities.
- Research, qualify, and pursue new grant opportunities aligned with Kindering’s mission.
- Cultivate and steward productive relationships with grantmaking sources.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Grant Writing & Submission
- Lead the development, writing, and submission of competitive grant proposals.
- Coordinate with internal contributors to develop clear and compelling narratives, outcomes, and budgets.
- Ensure all submissions are accurate, complete, compliant, and submitted on time.
- Remain current on grant making and writing trends, compliance requirements, and best practices.
Grant Management & Compliance
- Manage the full lifecycle of grant awards, from acceptance through closeout.
- Develop, implement, and maintain grant management systems and processes to ensure compliance and timely reporting.
- Track grant requirements, budgets, deadlines, deliverables, and financial records.
- Prepare and submit accurate, timely grant reports.
- Manage reporting of financial information for grants and grant-related activities in coordination with the Accounting and Finance teams.
- Provide training and support to staff to ensure successful grant implementation, compliance, and reporting.
Required Education & Experience
-
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
- Minimum 7 years of successful hands-on experience in nonprofit grant writing and management.
- Demonstrated success securing six- and seven-figure annual grant funding.
- Excellent written communication, editing, organizational, and project management skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, grant research tools, and nonprofit development or grants management databases.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent grant deadlines and projects in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in a professional environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully with individuals and communities from historically marginalized backgrounds, grounded in cultural humility.
Key Competencies
-
Strategic Leadership – Develops and executes grant strategies that align with organizational goals and long-term funding priorities
-
Grant Writing & Fundraising – Secures funding through compelling proposals, strong funder relationships, and effective stewardship
-
Project & Portfolio Management – Effectively manages multiple grants, deadlines, deliverables, and reporting requirements in a high-volume environment.
-
Collaboration & Relationship Building – Partners successfully with leadership, program staff, funders, and external stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
-
Compliance & Financial Acumen – Ensures grant compliance, budget oversight, accurate reporting, and responsible management of funding resources.
Minimum Prerequisites
-
Pass Washington State DSHS criminal history and background check and FBI fingerprint check
-
Strictly maintain confidentiality of all client information
- Demonstrate skill in word processing and familiarity with MS Outlook, Word and Excel
-
Possess valid Washington State driver’s license and valid automobile insurance
-
Have access to a dependable personal vehicle
-
Pass a tuberculosis test
-
Ability to show proof of current immunizations, including COVID-19 and MMR vaccine or titer test*
- Kindering is subject to multiple executive orders requiring all employees to be vaccinated or apply and be approved for a sincerely held religious belief or medical exemption. We require those supervising and providing in-person services to children to be vaccinated and are unable to accommodate any exceptions. For other positions that can be accommodated, employees must apply and be approved for a sincerely held religious belief or medical exemption.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
The information described below represents the activities and surroundings one may encounter when performing the duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Primarily works in an office or hybrid environment with prolonged periods of sitting, computer use, and participation in virtual and in-person meetings.
-
Requires frequent written and verbal communication with staff, funders, community partners, and stakeholders.
-
May occasionally travel locally to attend meetings, networking events, funder visits, and community functions, and lift materials weighing up to 20 pounds
This is a full-time position with elective time off, paid time off, and 11 paid holidays per year. Kindering’s full-time employees are provided comprehensive benefits including medical, vision, dental benefits with a Health Savings Account (HSA) for qualified individuals, company-paid life and disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 403(b), paid and elective time off, tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities, Mimi Siegel Fellowship and Department of Health License reimbursement, and more.
About Kindering
Kindering embraces children of diverse abilities and their families by providing the finest education and therapies to nurture hope, courage, and the skills to soar. As a nonprofit neurodevelopmental center, we have provided comprehensive services for children with special needs and their families since 1962. Kindering is dedicated to maintaining a highly trained, licensed, and certified team of professionals. Current services include comprehensive developmental assessments; physical, occupational, speech, language, and infant mental health therapy; special education; family counseling; nutrition and feeding therapy; childcare consultation; parenting education; and family resource coordination. Kindering’s vision for equity is I BELONG. Eradicate systemic racial and oppressive barriers so everyone succeeds. Kindering values diverse perspectives and life experiences. We aim to seek out people from systemically oppressed and marginalized backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ, immigrants, and refugees.
Kindering is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive work environment and to building a team that reflects the rich diversity of our community.
The statements contained in this job description are not necessarily all inclusive; additional duties may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.
