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Grantmaking Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MANAGING DIRECTOR, PHILANTHROPY

Chicago, IL · On-site

$200 - $260/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Grantmaking Strategy and ImpactHelp clients develop clear, values-aligned grantmaking strategies, theories of change, priority issue areas, decision-making criteria, due diligence processes, learning ...

Grants Associate

Manhattan, NY · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

You will support the grantmaking administration of the New York City and Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa programs. In addition to providing day-to-day support on program and operational ...

Senior Nutrition Researcher

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We anticipate our total grantmaking is likely to approach or even exceed $1 billion this year, and we are working toward a future that could be several times that scale. Through years of deliberate ...

Grants Program Manager

Baltimore, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Manage end-to-end grantmaking process, including invitations to apply, approval and decline workflow, grant contract distribution and record-keeping, ACH funds disbursement, DocuSign management ...

Manager of Grants & Communications

Secaucus, NJ · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Responsibilities Grantmaking Cycle Management: * Provide oversight for the entire grantmaking lifecycle, from application and due diligence to award, reporting, and closeout. * Develop and implement ...

Senior Cross-Cutting Researcher

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We anticipate our total grantmaking is likely to approach or even exceed $1 billion this year, and we are working toward a future that could be several times that scale. Through years of deliberate ...

Senior Cross-Cutting Researcher

OR · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Cross-Cutting team works closely with other grantmaking teams. Projects typically involve partnering with a team to pressure-test or extend their work, or running methodological projects that set ...

Cause Prioritization Lead

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We anticipate our total grantmaking is likely to approach or even exceed $1 billion this year, and we are working toward a future that could be several times that scale. Through years of deliberate ...

New

Senior Nutrition Researcher

OR · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Our nutrition grantmaking currently spans three sub-portfolios: Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS), iron supplementation (including iron and folic acid supplementation and large-scale food fortification ...

The Associate will report to the Grants and Operations Partner and work closely with the Lead, Grantmaking, Head of Philanthropy and Community, other members of the Grantmaking team, external ...

Showing results 21-40

Grantmaking information

See salary details

$25K

$52.4K

$90.5K

How much do grantmaking jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for grantmaking in the United States is $52,360.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,000.00 and $59,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is grantmaking?

Grantmaking is the process by which organizations, such as foundations or governmental bodies, provide financial support to individuals, nonprofits, or projects that align with their mission and goals. Grantmakers assess applications, select recipients, and distribute funds to enable work in areas like education, health, the arts, and social services. The goal is to create positive impact by funding initiatives that address specific community or societal needs. Grantmaking can be highly competitive, and recipients are often required to report on their progress and outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in grantmaking, and why are they important?

To thrive in Grantmaking, you need strong analytical skills, experience in nonprofit or philanthropic sectors, and often a degree in public administration, social sciences, or a related field. Familiarity with grant management software, budgeting tools, and sometimes certifications like the Grant Professionals Certification (GPC) is common. Excellent communication, relationship-building, and critical thinking skills set top performers apart in this role. These abilities ensure effective evaluation of proposals, responsible allocation of funds, and positive impact within funded communities.

What are some common challenges faced in a grantmaking role, and how can they be addressed?

Grantmaking professionals often encounter challenges such as balancing limited resources against high demand, ensuring fair and equitable evaluation of applications, and maintaining transparent communication with applicants. To address these, it's important to stay organized, use clear criteria for decision-making, and foster open dialogue with stakeholders. Collaborating closely with program teams and regularly reviewing funding strategies can also help align grant decisions with organizational goals and community needs.

What is the difference between Grantmaking vs Grant Writing?

AspectGrantmakingGrant Writing
Primary RoleDistributing funds to organizations or projects based on criteriaPreparing and submitting grant proposals to secure funding
Required SkillsEvaluation, decision-making, knowledge of funding prioritiesResearch, writing, persuasive communication
Work EnvironmentFoundation, nonprofit, or government agency officesNonprofit organizations, consulting firms, or in-house grant teams
Common CredentialsBachelor’s degree, experience in philanthropy or nonprofit managementBachelor’s degree, strong writing and research skills

Grantmaking involves selecting and distributing funds to organizations, focusing on evaluation and decision-making. Grant writing centers on creating compelling proposals to secure those funds. While grantmakers decide where money goes, grant writers craft the applications to obtain funding. Both roles often work within nonprofits, foundations, or government agencies and require related skills and credentials.

More about Grantmaking jobs

What cities are hiring for Grantmaking jobs?

Cities with the most Grantmaking job openings:

What states have the most Grantmaking jobs?

States with the most job openings for Grantmaking jobs include:

Infographic showing various Grantmaking job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 78% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,360 per year, or $25.2 per hour.

Senior Grant Operations Specialist (Pre-Award)

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

New York, NY • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Senior Grant Operations Specialist (Pre-Award)
Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research ("the Foundation") is seeking top talent for its Senior Grant Operations Specialist position. Reporting to the Director of Grantmaking Operations, this role plays a vital part in supporting the Foundation's grantmaking activities as a member of the Research Operations department. Working closely with internal stakeholders, this position serves as the operational project lead for assigned pre-award funding opportunities and other grantmaking project management aligned with the Foundation's mission.
The Senior Grant Operations Specialist is responsible for coordinating the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of pre-award grantmaking activities, including Requests for Applications (RFAs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and related funding initiatives. Using strong project management and cross-functional coordination skills, this role translates programmatic funding strategies into well-executed operational plans while ensuring a high-quality applicant and reviewer experience. The position manages complex funding opportunities from planning through funding recommendations, consistently implements policies and practices, and contributes to efforts to improve and strengthen Foundational grantmaking activities each year.
This is a hybrid-flex position that will require in-person attendance at the Foundation's office in New York City.
Key Responsibilities:
Grantmaking Operations
  • Coordinate operational planning and execution for assigned funding opportunities, including RFAs, RFPs, targeted funding opportunities, and other grant mechanisms
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, track timelines and dependencies, escalate risks, and ensure milestone completion
  • Coordinate all operational aspects of the pre-award lifecycle, including application launch and intake, scientific review, and funding recommendation activities
  • Develop and/or maintain comprehensive documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), templates, checklists and operational resources in partnership with department leadership
  • Partner with scientific staff to operationalize funding strategies into executable operational plans and grantmaking workflows
  • Serve as a primary operational point of contact for applicants, reviewers, advisors, and other external stakeholders across assigned funding opportunities Apply established processes and service models consistently across funding opportunities while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and user experience

Cross-functional Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Coordinate cross-functional teams throughout the pre-award grantmaking process, ensuring alignment across scientific, finance, technology, communications, and grants operations functions
  • Coordinate reviewer recruitment, conflict of interest management, meeting logistics & materials, scoring workflows, communications, and post-review documentation for scientific review activities
  • Ensure a consistent, responsive, and high-quality applicant and reviewer experience through clear communications, issue resolution, and operational excellence
  • Serve as a primary operational point of contact for applicants, reviewers, advisors, and other external stakeholders across assigned funding opportunities

Monitoring, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement
  • Track operational metrics related to funding opportunities, including application processing, reviewer engagement, and project milestones
  • Participate in annual operational planning activities by contributing lessons learned and recommendations for improving future funding cycles
  • Support implementation and optimization of grants management systems and other operational technologies

General
  • Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of the Foundation's Strategic Research Agenda, grantmaking priorities, funding mechanisms, operational policies, and grants management system
  • Provide backup operational support during high-volume funding cycles and/or short-term absences
  • Facilitate onboarding and training related to grants operations processes, systems, and best practices
  • Participate in Foundation-wide initiatives, committees, and/or cross-functional operational projects as appropriate

Qualifications & Skills:
  • Relevant experience serving as a project manager or operational lead for complex funding programs, scientific review processes, or comparable cross-functional initiatives
  • Experience coordinating RFAs, RFPs, grant competitions, peer review, scientific assessment meetings, or similar funding processes
  • Demonstrated experience applying project management methodologies to organize work, manage timelines, mitigate risks, and deliver high-quality outcomes
  • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent funding opportunities and competing priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail
  • Strong communication, meeting facilitation, and relationship management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across scientific, operational, and administrative teams
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify operational challenges and recommend practical solutions
  • Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and adapt effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced grantmaking environment
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, grants management systems (SmartSimple preferred), project management tools, and related technologies

Compensation & Benefits
Individual compensation for this role is dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, qualifications, skillsets, and applicable laws. In addition to salary, the Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • 15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation paying 90 percent of the premiums)
  • Competitive dental and vision plans
  • 401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Employer paid life and disability insurance
  • 18 Vacation Days; 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2pm) and a summer holiday week over July 4
  • Flexible work environment. We trust all employees to work closely with their manager and colleagues to determine when, where and how programs and projects get done.

Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis. The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events.
Salary Range
$95,000-$110,000 USD
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position's needs will be contacted.
About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson's disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus-thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, MJFF has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.
Visit www.michaeljfox.org for more information.
Research has shown that people from marginalized communities apply to roles only when they meet 100% of the job requirements. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, and you are someone who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, we strongly encourage you to apply.