Arcus Foundation
Grants Manager
The Arcus Foundation is seeking two positive, energetic, and experienced Grants Managers to join the Grantmaking Effectiveness team. While both Grants Managers will be responsible for the day-to-day management of select international and U.S. programmatic grant portfolios, one of the Manager positions will also focus on institutional portfolios (including memberships and discretionary grants) and other components of grantmaking operations (including managing Arcus' Equivalency Determination process and processing data requests for internal and external stakeholders). This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing department that is dedicated to fostering a dynamic and inclusive team that upholds trust- and values-based practices. Founded in 2000 by Jon Stryker, the Arcus Foundation is a private grantmaking institution dedicated to the idea that people can live in harmony with one another and the natural world. Arcus' work is based on the belief that respect for diversity among people and in nature is essential to a positive future for our planet and all its inhabitants. For more than 20 years, the Social Justice Program at Arcus has been a driving force behind groundbreaking work to ensure equality for LGBTQ people, and the Great Apes & Gibbons Program has provided visionary conservation leadership to protect and enhance the lives of great apes and gibbons. The foundation works globally and has offices in New York City and Cambridge, UK. At the Arcus Foundation, we aim to foster a work culture that is rooted in our values: Demonstrating organizational and individual authenticity rooted in integrity and honesty, Approaching our work with humility, Seeking and valuing opportunities for collaboration inside and outside of the foundation, Ensuring the foundation's work is strategic and rational, and Remaining focused on advancing equity for those who are pushed to the margins. The Grants Manager (Manager) is part of the Grantmaking Effectiveness (GME) department, led by the Director, Grantmaking Effectiveness (Director). The department, which also includes two other managers (Grants Manager & Manager, Grantmaking Effectiveness), focuses on grant-related compliance, impact, and learning at the Arcus Foundation. The department has a unique vantage point across the organization: it partners with program teams and collaborates closely with the finance and communications teams to facilitate grantmaking processes and achieve foundation goals. The GME department is responsible for implementing the legal, technical, and operational components of all grantmaking portfolios. The team engages across the foundation by leading cross-organization trainings and collaborations and designing systems to interact with grantees, manage the grant lifecycle, aggregate information, analyze data, and share learning and best practices. Working on every grant, the team is a critical partner and respected resource in supporting the management and implementation of program strategies, serving as thought partners and catalysts for innovation. The Grants Manager position manages grantmaking processes, ensuring a high level of due diligence and legal, technical, and operational management for select grant portfolios. It provides deep engagement in grantmaking cyclical activities and planning. The Manager also manages technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders, particularly program staff and grantees, on matters pertaining to compliance with Arcus' grantmaking policies and implementation of related processes and protocols. This role helps to deliver related learning curriculum, including guides, presentations, and manuals, as part of the GME team. They are a key partner and advisor within the foundation to ensure high-quality user experiences and effective processes. Key responsibilities include: Ensuring grants are compliant with IRS and institutional regulations and requirements; Maintaining electronic grant files; Preparing grant information for the foundation's annual audit; Overseeing the execution of grant agreement letters; Conducting legal compliance reviews of LOIs, proposals, and grant reporting; Ensuring grantmaking policies and procedures are consistently applied; and Making recommendations for continued workflow improvement to further efficiency. Meeting these responsibilities requires: The provision of active support to program staff by providing input and guidance on structuring grants and facilitating program team meetings and site visits to deepen competency in program areas. The provision of active support to grantees by providing ongoing technical assistance and updating resources for grant seekers as requested by the Director. Ongoing analysis of grant records and reports, including analyzing grant financial reports and working with program and/or grantees if there is a problem or compliance issue; and conducting analysis of grant structure and budgets and recommending action to program staff. Active engagement in the philanthropic sector to keep current on new regulations and best practices. The Grants Manager is responsible for resource development and the provision of technical assistance related to grantmaking policies and practices for Arcus' staff and grantees. These responsibilities pertain to the select portfolios for which the Grants Manager assumes core compliance and operational responsibility; however, additional technical assistance provision support may be required. Responsibilities of the role include: Participating in training and training material creation in an ongoing manner on the technical aspects of grantmaking for program staff; and Participating in training and training material creation on grantmaking policies and practices for all new Arcus staff. The Grants Manager is also responsible for: Providing input on resources for grantseekers to understand the foundation's grantmaking policies and practices; and Providing ongoing technical assistance and training related to both technical and policy aspects of Arcus grantmaking to portfolio specific grantee partners as well as other grantees as requested. Required technical expertise includes: Significant experience in philanthropy or the nonprofit sector, with a minimum of 5-10 years of grants management involvement, including some experience focused on international grantmaking. Demonstrated knowledge of IRS regulations governing grantmaking in a nonprofit and/or private foundation environment. Mastery of grants management system programs, and in using automated grants systems, databases, and processes; experience using Fluxx is a plus. Data, information, and knowledge management understanding and the ability to follow related processes. Understanding of and commitment to the foundation's program areas, mission, and values, including knowledge or experience in conservation or social justice, demonstrated through prior work or volunteer experience. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must be extremely well organized with great attention to detail. Must enjoy the challenges of taking an ambiguous project vision or goal and translating it into concrete objectives and steps. Experience managing project budgets. Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to excel in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities, while remaining flexible and proactive. Must possess solid decision-making ability, independence, and initiative, and a strong ability to take guidance and direction. Preferred technical expertise includes: Experience working as an administrator of a grants management system (Fluxx is a plus). Knowledge of reporting systems and experience managing system integrations across multiple grant-related platforms. Proven track record in planning and managing learning events or curriculum. Proven track record designing and developing technical assistance resources, including manuals, guides, curriculum, and presentations. Experience managing an in-house Equivalency Determination process. Professional integrity includes: Exceptional reliability and always exhibits a high degree of professionalism. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information and operate with maximum discretion. Effective stewardship of foundation staff and financial resources. Inclusive practice includes: Demonstrates sensitivity and respect for cultural values, practices, beliefs, and social experiences of diverse communities; effectively and comfortably engages in a variety of cultural settings. Ability to be effective in a global, multi-cultural, multi-location organization. Positive partnerships include: Positively and professionally strengthens the capacity of Arcus's teams and external partners. A confident and team-oriented relationship builder who can communicate and work with people at all levels and backgrounds. Demonstrated ability to build trust and collaboration across departments and teams. Able to represent the foundation to external stakeholders upon request and as authorized. Exceptional team orientation and possession of a facilitative and collaborative style of engaging others in projects. The Grants Manager positions are based out of our New York City office. Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates. Arcus staff work on a hybrid schedule of three days in-office (TuesdayThursday), with the option to work remotely on Mondays and
The Arcus Foundation is seeking two positive, energetic, and experienced Grants Managers to join the Grantmaking Effectiveness team. While both Grants Managers will be responsible for the day-to-day management of select international and U.S. programmatic grant portfolios, one of the Manager positions will also focus on institutional portfolios (including memberships and discretionary grants) and other components of grantmaking operations (including managing Arcus' Equivalency Determination process and processing data requests for internal and external stakeholders). This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing department that is dedicated to fostering a dynamic and inclusive team that upholds trust- and values-based practices. Founded in 2000 by Jon Stryker, the Arcus Foundation is a private grantmaking institution dedicated to the idea that people can live in harmony with one another and the natural world. Arcus' work is based on the belief that respect for diversity among people and in nature is essential to a positive future for our planet and all its inhabitants. For more than 20 years, the Social Justice Program at Arcus has been a driving force behind groundbreaking work to ensure equality for LGBTQ people, and the Great Apes & Gibbons Program has provided visionary conservation leadership to protect and enhance the lives of great apes and gibbons. The foundation works globally and has offices in New York City and Cambridge, UK. At the Arcus Foundation, we aim to foster a work culture that is rooted in our values: Demonstrating organizational and individual authenticity rooted in integrity and honesty, Approaching our work with humility, Seeking and valuing opportunities for collaboration inside and outside of the foundation, Ensuring the foundation's work is strategic and rational, and Remaining focused on advancing equity for those who are pushed to the margins. The Grants Manager (Manager) is part of the Grantmaking Effectiveness (GME) department, led by the Director, Grantmaking Effectiveness (Director). The department, which also includes two other managers (Grants Manager & Manager, Grantmaking Effectiveness), focuses on grant-related compliance, impact, and learning at the Arcus Foundation. The department has a unique vantage point across the organization: it partners with program teams and collaborates closely with the finance and communications teams to facilitate grantmaking processes and achieve foundation goals. The GME department is responsible for implementing the legal, technical, and operational components of all grantmaking portfolios. The team engages across the foundation by leading cross-organization trainings and collaborations and designing systems to interact with grantees, manage the grant lifecycle, aggregate information, analyze data, and share learning and best practices. Working on every grant, the team is a critical partner and respected resource in supporting the management and implementation of program strategies, serving as thought partners and catalysts for innovation. The Grants Manager position manages grantmaking processes, ensuring a high level of due diligence and legal, technical, and operational management for select grant portfolios. It provides deep engagement in grantmaking cyclical activities and planning. The Manager also manages technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders, particularly program staff and grantees, on matters pertaining to compliance with Arcus' grantmaking policies and implementation of related processes and protocols. This role helps to deliver related learning curriculum, including guides, presentations, and manuals, as part of the GME team. They are a key partner and advisor within the foundation to ensure high-quality user experiences and effective processes. Key responsibilities include: Ensuring grants are compliant with IRS and institutional regulations and requirements; Maintaining electronic grant files; Preparing grant information for the foundation's annual audit; Overseeing the execution of grant agreement letters; Conducting legal compliance reviews of LOIs, proposals, and grant reporting; Ensuring grantmaking policies and procedures are consistently applied; and Making recommendations for continued workflow improvement to further efficiency. Meeting these responsibilities requires: The provision of active support to program staff by providing input and guidance on structuring grants and facilitating program team meetings and site visits to deepen competency in program areas. The provision of active support to grantees by providing ongoing technical assistance and updating resources for grant seekers as requested by the Director. Ongoing analysis of grant records and reports, including analyzing grant financial reports and working with program and/or grantees if there is a problem or compliance issue; and conducting analysis of grant structure and budgets and recommending action to program staff. Active engagement in the philanthropic sector to keep current on new regulations and best practices. The Grants Manager is responsible for resource development and the provision of technical assistance related to grantmaking policies and practices for Arcus' staff and grantees. These responsibilities pertain to the select portfolios for which the Grants Manager assumes core compliance and operational responsibility; however, additional technical assistance provision support may be required. Responsibilities of the role include: Participating in training and training material creation in an ongoing manner on the technical aspects of grantmaking for program staff; and Participating in training and training material creation on grantmaking policies and practices for all new Arcus staff. The Grants Manager is also responsible for: Providing input on resources for grantseekers to understand the foundation's grantmaking policies and practices; and Providing ongoing technical assistance and training related to both technical and policy aspects of Arcus grantmaking to portfolio specific grantee partners as well as other grantees as requested. Required technical expertise includes: Significant experience in philanthropy or the nonprofit sector, with a minimum of 5-10 years of grants management involvement, including some experience focused on international grantmaking. Demonstrated knowledge of IRS regulations governing grantmaking in a nonprofit and/or private foundation environment. Mastery of grants management system programs, and in using automated grants systems, databases, and processes; experience using Fluxx is a plus. Data, information, and knowledge management understanding and the ability to follow related processes. Understanding of and commitment to the foundation's program areas, mission, and values, including knowledge or experience in conservation or social justice, demonstrated through prior work or volunteer experience. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must be extremely well organized with great attention to detail. Must enjoy the challenges of taking an ambiguous project vision or goal and translating it into concrete objectives and steps. Experience managing project budgets. Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to excel in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities, while remaining flexible and proactive. Must possess solid decision-making ability, independence, and initiative, and a strong ability to take guidance and direction. Preferred technical expertise includes: Experience working as an administrator of a grants management system (Fluxx is a plus). Knowledge of reporting systems and experience managing system integrations across multiple grant-related platforms. Proven track record in planning and managing learning events or curriculum. Proven track record designing and developing technical assistance resources, including manuals, guides, curriculum, and presentations. Experience managing an in-house Equivalency Determination process. Professional integrity includes: Exceptional reliability and always exhibits a high degree of professionalism. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information and operate with maximum discretion. Effective stewardship of foundation staff and financial resources. Inclusive practice includes: Demonstrates sensitivity and respect for cultural values, practices, beliefs, and social experiences of diverse communities; effectively and comfortably engages in a variety of cultural settings. Ability to be effective in a global, multi-cultural, multi-location organization. Positive partnerships include: Positively and professionally strengthens the capacity of Arcus's teams and external partners. A confident and team-oriented relationship builder who can communicate and work with people at all levels and backgrounds. Demonstrated ability to build trust and collaboration across departments and teams. Able to represent the foundation to external stakeholders upon request and as authorized. Exceptional team orientation and possession of a facilitative and collaborative style of engaging others in projects. The Grants Manager positions are based out of our New York City office. Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates. Arcus staff work on a hybrid schedule of three days in-office (TuesdayThursday), with the option to work remotely on Mondays and