The California Community Foundation (CCF) is a public, charitable organization serving Los Angeles County in multiple capacities since 1915.  We encourage philanthropy by individuals, families, companies and organizations, and serve as a trusted steward of their charitable funds and legacies.  We make grants and collaborate with nonprofits in specific areas, and concentrate attention and resources on the needs of the most vulnerable individuals and groups in the community.  CCF convenes and engages nonprofit, private and public sector partners to increase philanthropy and incorporate philanthropists into community problem solving in Los Angeles.

CCF is a dynamic environment that values individuals who want a purpose more than a position.  We have a diverse and talented team of experienced and passionate advocates for our community.  We are a learning organization driven by the idea that continuous improvement furthers professional development and increases our ability to effect positive change.  We seek individuals who thrive in a fast-paced setting highly focused on results and impact.

CCF is hiring a Grants Specialist. This position is responsible for administering all components of foundation grants and scholarships, including structure of grants, regulatory compliance, and education of grants information to CCF staff and external parties. Responsibilities also include fund and nonprofit management to support external and internal customer questions regarding grants and fund management, competitive grant applications, online portals, and grant reporting. Supports discretionary grantmaking administration and monitoring.

Major Responsibilities:

• Grants Management: 
  • Donor Initiated Grants: Responsible for the due diligence, approval, and decline of all donor initiated grants and disbursements, including oversight of fund assets to ensure grantmaking is in accordance with fund balances and spending policy, organization review to ensure recipient is current with IRS regulations, and grant purpose approval to ensure grants are in line with federal law and foundation policy. This position is responsible for accuracy of all grants and disbursements from point of request to approval/decline, check preparation and signing, and grant disbursement.

• Discretionary Grants: Administers permanent restrictive funds and staff matching grants program. Supports the foundation’s priority grantmaking areas with Letter of Intent review, grant management, including finalizing grants and executing vendor contracts, budget tracking, grants monitoring, and overall adherence to the docket requirements and schedule. Provides technical support for applicants, and occasionally assists with application review.  For each board docket, ensures integrity of grants information and records grants according to accounting standards. Monitors board approved grants through their life cycle by facilitating progress report and payment approval.
• For fund contacts, serves as a primary resource for information regarding fund operations, including grantmaking practices, fund assets, foundation polices, website and DonorConnect use, and occasionally on investments, opening a new fund, and nonprofit or general philanthropic research.  For scholarship fund contacts, obtains all committee materials, and communicates with committees to finalize due diligence and scholarship procedures annually. Leverages expertise in grantmaking to build relationships with donors and fund contacts, and provides info on foundation initiatives and grant opportunities.  Occasionally participates in philanthropic consultations and fund opening meetings with Donor Relations and Development teams.
• For grant seekers, provides information on CCF’s grant opportunities, answering questions about foundation grantmaking policies and practices. Serves as primary contact for applicants as they apply for grants, as well as for those declined and invited to submit full applications or receive a grant.
• For committee advised scholarship funds, under oversight of the Scholarships Administrator and Grants Specialist serves as primary relationship manager for fund contacts and customer support for committee members, scholars, and institutions.

• Scholarships: Under oversight of the Scholarships Administrator and Grants Specialist, liaises with fund contacts to document appropriate scholarship procedures, committee structure and overall adherence to federal regulations. Ensures proper award notification and disbursement, establishes and manages multi-year scholarships, and monitors all scholarships.
• Customer Relations:  Serves as key contact for several external constituents, including fund contacts (donors, financial advisors, etc.), grant seekers (nonprofits, teachers, artists, etc.), and committee advised scholarship contacts.

• Grants Processes, Policies and Procedures:  Ensures adherence to policies and procedures related to grants and fund management.  Stays current on IRS restrictions surrounding donor advised funds, as well as common foundation grantmaking practices in order to contribute to the development, maintenance, and implementation of foundation policies and processes.  Along with Donor Relations and Development teams, analyzes data or common issues to identify areas needing improvement, then create or edit foundation policies as they relate to donor initiated grantmaking.  Similarly, works with discretionary grantmaking teams to streamline foundation grantmaking and continually improve efficiency, for both internal and external parties.
• Reporting: Assists with grants-related reporting as necessary. Reviews report requests and analyzes to ascertain true data need and determine best representation of information as it relates to need.
• Database/Document Management:  Ensures current processes support the accuracy and integrity of grants data and trains staff on proper use of databases in relation to grant entry and online systems for donors, nonprofits, scholars, and committee advised fund contacts.
• Staff Training: Assists with training for new and current staff on CCF funds and grantmaking through frequent group and individual trainings. Regularly refines training materials and identifies need for larger training sessions when necessary.  Serves as training expert on grants database, as well as provides training support for contact database, financial database, and website use to all CCF staff.
• Departmental Coordination: Serves as a liaison between all departments to ensure timely and accurate grants management and service, so all foundation grantmaking activities are smoothly implemented and continually improved upon.  Regularly meets with Programs staff to discuss issues and facilitate improvements to discretionary grantmaking process.  Works closely with Development and Donor Relations Department, communicating regularly on fund and grants management. Collaborates with departments in creation and management of processes for all grants and scholarships.
• General: As appropriate, assists other departments and works as a member of interdepartmental teams to ensure the effective and efficient operations of CCF.  At all times, demonstrates cooperative behavior with supervisors and coworkers.  Other duties as assigned, dependent on organizational needs and employee skills.

Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function assigned satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Experience:  Three to five years’ experience required with experience in grants management or accounting preferred. Knowledge of donor advised or committee scholarship grantmaking preferred.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required.

• Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.  Superior customer service skills to external and internal constituents.  Excellent listening skills, follow through and problem-solving abilities.
• Technology Skills:  Internet competency and strong computer proficiency, including mastery of the Microsoft Office software suite and a familiarity with database software, is required. Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge, Financial Edge and grantmaking software preferred. 
• Project Management Skills: Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.  Ability to prioritize work effectively and adjust to multiple demands within set deadlines. Ability to design and implement effective grants management processes and procedures.
• Team Work & General Skills:  Ability to work well independently and as team member.  Ability to take initiative, and follow tasks through to completion.

Working Conditions:

• Requires the ability to sit and work at a desk for several hours at a time.
• Requires the ability to travel and attend meetings, presentations and events outside the office, which may require occasional use of a motor vehicle for transportation to other locations. 
• Work may require occasional weekends and/or extended work day.
• Punctuality and satisfactory attendance are essential functions of the job.

Compensation:

This is a regular, full-time, exempt position.  Salary is dependent on experience and qualifications. A generous benefit package is provided to all full-time staff, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, parking or transportation, and retirement benefits.

How to Apply:

To apply to this position, please visit our website at www.calfund.org and select “Careers” or go to http://www.recruitingcenter.net/clients/calfund/publicjobs

CCF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees, and we make employment decisions without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, gender expression, age or any other protected status. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable federal, state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.