What are the responsibilities and job description for the GRANTS ASSOCIATE position at Dogwood Health Trust?
GRANTS ASSOCIATE
ABOUT DOGWOOD HEALTH TRUST
Dogwood Health Trust (Dogwood) exists to dramatically improve the health and well-being of all people and communities in the 18 counties and Qualla Boundary of Western North Carolina. Dogwood funds projects and collaborations that increase access to housing, education, economic opportunity, and health and wellness. Our policy and advocacy efforts aim to promote equity and opportunity and develop deep community engagement with demonstrated impact.
At our core, we seek to understand before we act, modeling transparency, integrity, and candor to build trust. We work deeply to disrupt factors that perpetuate challenges, making responsive and catalytic investments. Utilizing multiple forms of philanthropic capital, we aim to advance change while balancing impatience and patience. Emphasizing learning and sharing our insights, we actively seek and act on feedback to improve our performance and refine our strategies. We remain hopeful and diligent throughout our efforts and are committed to driving transformation.
In alignment with our vision to create an impact in employment, preference will be given to applicants who live in or have a deep connection to our foundation's home in Western North Carolina.
SUMMARY
The Grantmaking Operations team works closely with all departments across the foundation, especially community investment, legal, finance, learning and evaluation, and executives to create effective and efficient grantmaking systems and processes.
The Grants Associate will report to the Director of Grantmaking & Community Investment Operations and will provide grants management support across a select portfolio of grants. In addition, the Grants Associate will provide administrative support to the grantmaking operations team. This role provides an excellent opportunity to learn about foundations, grantmaking operations, and grants management systems. The position is based in Asheville, NC.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Grants Management
- Work across a limited set of direct, public charity grants and provide grants management support in the following ways:
- Enter new grant organization and people information in the grants management system, when not performed by community investment teams.
- Conduct an initial screen of grant applications for completeness, and either find missing information through publicly available sites or follow up with applicants, as needed.
- Review proposals and confirm that nonprofit organizations and grants are in compliance with IRS regulations as well as internal grantmaking guidelines and requirements.
- Escalate any potential compliance issues to a Grants Manager or Director, as needed, and partner on resolution.
- Generate grant agreements and/or award letters using system-generated templates and ensure that appropriate exhibits are included and that fully executed documents are attached to grant records.
- Support new and ongoing grantmaking initiatives when needed.
- Oversee the community investment email inbox to respond to and triage questions and requests from applicants/grantees and foundation staff, including routine inquiries related to the application process and troubleshooting grants management system issues.
- Support overall grantmaking data integrity by regularly performing data cleanup activities in collaboration with the Grants Manager.
Administrative and Training
- Provide administrative and logistical support to the grantmaking operations team, including scheduling meetings and making travel planning/reservations.
- Offer support during team meetings by crafting agendas and taking notes on decisions and action items.
- Support system and process documentation as well as training sessions for foundation staff in partnership with the Grants Manager and the full grantmaking operations team.
Foundation and Sector Engagement
- Support the grantmaking operations team’s work to advance the foundation’s grantmaking priorities and develop more equitable grantmaking practices.
- Participate in foundation-wide meetings, cross-department committees, and other activities, as needed.
- Participate in professional development opportunities to stay informed of developments and activities in the philanthropic sector.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Qualifications are a guiding light and not all encompassing of what Dogwood considers throughout the selection process. We encourage all candidates to include a cover letter to share how their lived experience, education, and work experience combine to support this role.
Education/Certification
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of relevant education and four (4) years relevant work experience.
Work Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years of project management experience and/or experience supporting programs and/or experience supporting grants management/grant-seeking from private foundations or nonprofit charities.
- Minimum of two (2) years of hands-on database experience, including report preparation.
Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes
- Proactive, self-motivated, and team-oriented work style.
- Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Able to plan and prioritize workflow and meet deadlines.
- Excellent attention to detail and follow-through.
- Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications.
- A strong interest in philanthropy, grants management, and/or nonprofit organizations.
- Commitment to equity demonstrated in lived experiences.
- Oriented toward personal and organizational learning and growth.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience supporting training activities.
- Proficiency using a Grants Management System (GMS).
- Minimum of four (4) years of database management experience and report preparation.
- Experience managing grantmaking processes and/or data within a grantmaking philanthropic or nonprofit organization.
- Project Management coursework or certification.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Work in an office environment requires operating standard office equipment. Workspaces are designed to be accessible and inclusive, accommodating various physical needs and promoting a healthy work environment.
- Dogwood utilizes a hybrid work schedule requiring staff to be in the office twice or more each week. While there is some flexibility for hybrid work, this is not a remote position, and candidates should expect to work regularly from the office in Asheville, NC, or from home located in the region we serve.
- This position is a full-time, salaried, exempt role
WHAT WE OFFER
Dogwood’s purpose of dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities of Western North Carolina is also evident within our doors. The starting salary is commensurate with experience, which will be vetted through the interview process. All full-time team members can take part in a broad offering of competitive benefits, including:
- 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life and AD&D insurance.
- Up to 6% match for 403b retirement contributions.
- Annual PTO (4 weeks) & Sick (2 weeks).
- 10 paid holidays, 5 paid Winter Break days.
OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Dogwood Health Trust is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work and on our teams. We know that the rich diversity of perspectives and wisdom imperative to our purpose can only come from a wide variety of origins and life experiences. We strongly believe that creating a workplace where all team members thrive is critical to fulfilling our purpose in the communities we serve. We intentionally recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
Qualified candidates are urged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.