Position: Grants Manager
Location: Cleveland, Ohio or Toledo, Ohio
Type: Full-time, exempt
Who We Are
Partnership Schools is accepting applications for the role of Foundations & Grants Manager in New York, NY. The ideal candidate brings zeal, creativity, imagination, positivity, and passion to their work and is ready to dive into a fast-paced and exciting entrepreneurial environment.
Since 2013, the Partnership has been a pioneering school management organization shaping the next generation of urban Catholic schooling. From 2013 through 2024, the Archdiocese of New York granted operational management of seven long-standing Pre-K to 8th-grade schools in the South Bronx and Harlem to the Partnership, and during that time the schools experienced substantial math and reading achievement gains and increased enrollment significantly. In 2020, the Partnership was invited to expand to the Diocese of Cleveland, where it manages five schools in the heart of the city providing students in historically underserved neighborhoods with the academic preparation, faith formation, values, and skills they need to thrive. The Partnership currently serves about 1,000 students in Cleveland, nearly all of whom live in poverty. In July 2026, the Partnership expanded its mission to Toledo, Ohio, adding two schools to its network and extending its commitment to strengthening urban Catholic education in new communities. As the Partnership begins the 2026-2027 school year this August, it continues to build on its proven model of academic excellence, faith-based formation, and transformative support for students and families.
The historic success of urban Catholic schools stems not only from a rigorous tradition of academic excellence but also from an emphasis on developing self-worth, moral character, a love of learning, and a sense of civic responsibility—all part of our long-standing commitment to educating the whole child. Partnership Schools is unique in knitting this tradition together with lessons from high-achieving public, charter, and independent schools, in the service of our students.
At the Partnership, we believe all children can achieve at the highest levels. If you are interested in serving as a pioneer in education and share an unwavering commitment to raising student achievement and an appreciation and respect for Catholic culture, identity, and values, we want to hear from you!
What You’ll Do
Partnership Schools is at a pivotal moment in our trajectory. In our first decade, Partnership Schools successfully pioneered a groundbreaking approach for the independent management of urban Catholic schools, one needed now more than ever. As Catholic schools nationally have faced enrollment, academic, and financial crises that resulted in waves of closures, the schools in the Partnership increased enrollment, produced academic growth, and raised more money than ever. Because our effective model serves as a proof-point of what is possible, Partnership Schools is accelerating our growth and tenaciously expanding philanthropy to increase the number of students served and bolster the organization’s national impact on the school choice movement.
Partnership Schools seeks an entrepreneurial and experienced Foundations & Grants Manager to help catalyze the organization’s continued growth and advancement. They will join a growing, motivated, and collaborative team—comprising both on-the-ground leadership in Cleveland and Toledo, and geographically dispersed talent based on the organization’s talent-first mindset.
The Foundations & Grants Manager plays a critical role in advancing the fundraising efforts of Partnership Schools. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced fundraiser and highly organized, detail-oriented leader who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, with a proven track record of managing teams, driving fundraising revenue, building strong relationships, and balancing multiple priorities with sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
Key responsibilities:
Lead prospect research and support the development of strategies to identify, cultivate, and secure new and renewed foundation funding aligned with organizational priorities.
Develop tailored funding proposals and solicitation materials for major individual and family donors, translating organizational priorities and impact into compelling, personalized cases for significant philanthropic support.
Develop high-impact pitch decks, case statements, stewardship reports, donor updates, briefing materials, and other communications that engage prospective and current supporters, demonstrate impact, and move relationships toward deeper investment.
Maintain and strengthen relationships with foundation funders through thoughtful stewardship, follow-up communications, and timely reporting.
Collaborate with program and organizational teams to gather information, develop impact narratives, and translate programmatic work into compelling fundraising and communications materials.
Prepare presentations, reports, briefing materials, and other communications to support executive leadership, donor engagement, and organizational priorities.
Independently manage multiple projects and competing deadlines, coordinating with internal stakeholders to ensure timely execution of development and organizational initiatives.
Manage the grant development process from prospect identification through proposal submission and reporting, ensuring timely completion of deadlines and high-quality deliverables.
Own grant tracking systems, calendars, and reporting processes, ensuring accurate records and providing regular updates on funding opportunities, deadlines, and grant activity.
Monitor and assess grant and fundraising activity, identifying opportunities to strengthen prospect pipelines, improve processes, and support overall fundraising goals.
What You’ll Bring
Bachelor's Degree or higher
2+ years of proven relevant work experience
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google Workspace
Experience with Adobe Acrobat, social media platforms, and Salesforce is a plus
Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, board members, external partners, and donors
Expert-level written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write in a clear and concise voice with the end customer in mind
Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of customer/client service and response
A resourceful approach, with the ability to work independently and exhibit strong decision-making capability
Experience and interest in internal and external communications, relationship development, and fundraising
Why You’ll Be a Fit
You are deeply committed to the mission of Partnership Schools and to the education of students in underserved communities—and will inspire others to support and our efforts
You are interested in learning about preK-8 education, Catholic education, school choice, and/or social justice
You’re open-minded, intellectually curious, and eager to learn something new each day!
You naturally bring a positive, high-energy, and collaborative approach to your work; and
You are comfortable being part of a team that is “forming, storming, and norming” as it builds on current ways of working to continually improve systems, tools, and approaches—and would welcome the chance to shape the future with us.
What We Offer
Salary ranges from $55,000 to $75,000, commensurate with experience. The Partnership offers a competitive benefits package and is an equal opportunity organization that values diversity.
