Philanthropy and Grants Manager

Be Part of Lifeline's Impactful Journey

At Lifeline Community Services, we envision stronger, thriving communities where every individual has the tools to succeed. As a vital member of the Impact Team, the Philanthropy and Grants Manager will our mission through transformative grant strategies, engaging storytelling, and sustainable partnerships. This is your opportunity to make a lasting difference by cultivating relationships, securing vital funding, and showcasing the heart of our work to partners and donors.

If you are an exceptional communicator, a detail-oriented strategist, and a champion for social change, we invite you to join our team and help us create a legacy of empowerment and self-reliance.

Position Overview

The Philanthropy and Grants Manager oversees Lifeline's philanthropic grant portfolio, leading strategic planning, proposal writing, and relationship management with grant-making entities. Working alongside leadership, program teams, and external partners, you will develop innovative approaches to strengthen existing funding streams while identifying new opportunities to expand Lifeline's impact.

This is a high-visibility role requiring strategic thinking, relationship-building expertise, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Core Responsibilities

Philanthropy Strategy and Development:

• Design and execute comprehensive grant strategies to support Lifeline's operational and programmatic goals.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop fundraising frameworks that address unrestricted mission support, program expansion, and special initiatives.
• Conduct targeted research to identify and prioritize new funding opportunities from private and family foundations.
• Build and nurture relationships with funders, fostering trust and collaboration.
• Maintain a grant calendar to ensure timely submission of proposals, reports, and follow-ups.

Grant Proposal and Reporting Management:

• Lead and oversee the grant development lifecycle, from drafting proposals to final submission, ensuring timely and high quality outcomes. Including coordination across departments to gather necessary data and input.
• Craft persuasive, data-driven proposals tailored to divers funding audiences, to support measurable outcomes that align with Lifeline's mission and values.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to develop grant budgets, activities, and measurable outcomes, fostering cross departmental collaboration to ensure timely and accurate submissions.
• Track grant spending, outcomes, and compliance requirements, ensuring all reporting is accurate and timely, while identifying areas for process improvement.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records in CRM systems, ensuring transparency, accountability for reporting and performance purposes, aligned with current and future strategic planning.

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship:

• Collaborate with the Director of Philanthropy and Communications in designing creative stewardship programs to attract and retain grant funders and individual donors, using visually engaging tools and tailored messaging.
• Plan and oversee the coordination, communication, and logistics for donor site visits and events. Including creating impactful presentations and media kits in collaboration with Impact Team members.
• Develop solicitation content for annual appeals, website updates, and marketing campaigns, ensuring brand consistency and effective storytelling.
• Partner with the Impact Team to ensure institutional donors receive public recognition, including social media mentions and event spotlights.
• Leverage opportunities at events and meetings to represent Lifeline, and cultivate long-term relationships with potential funders. Utilize data-driven insights to strategically plan and prepare materials that strengthen and align with Lifeline's funding goals.
• Collaborate with the impact team to design, develop, and refine marketing materials that showcase Lifeline's values and achievements. Including, drafting compelling narratives, curating visual content, and coordinating distribution strategies to maximize reach and build donor trust.

Events and Department Support:

• Provide comprehensive support for department and organizational initiatives and events, contributing to planning, seamless execution, and thorough post-event reporting to ensure operational efficiency and alignment with organizational goals.
• Coordinate departmental logistics, including guest lists, registration materials, and engagement strategies, fostering clear communication and effective collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.
• At least 5 years of grant writing experience in a non-profit setting; 2 years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of successful experience with fundraising in a non-profit setting, with a proven track record of securing funding. Supervisory experience (2 years) strongly preferred.

Fund Development Expertise:

• Demonstrated success in managing all aspects of a diverse grant portfolio, including research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of institutional and individual donors.
• Experience in creating compelling proposals, managing budgets, and fostering relationships with funders to achieve sustainable growth and outcomes.

Skills & Expertise:

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a proven ability to craft persuasive proposals.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Proficiency in fundraising software and CRM systems; experience with donor databases is a plus.
• Superior interpersonal communication skills, with a collaborative and solution-oriented approach.

Personal Qualities:

• A self-starter with a proactive mindset and a "roll-up-your-sleeves" attitude.
• A passion for Lifeline's mission and a commitment to making a positive impact.
• Cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Hybrid schedule: Minimum of 3 days on-site and 2 days remote weekly, with flexibility based on organizational needs.
• Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods, lift up to 20 pounds, and travel within San Diego County using a personal vehicle (mileage reimbursed).

Why Join Lifeline?

Comprehensive Benefits:

• Competitive compensation with a robust benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid parental leave and bereavement leave of up to 80 hours for qualifying events.
• Generous paid time off and hybrid work flexibility to support work-life balance.

Professional Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership development and access to training programs.
Career advancement opportunities in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

North County Lifeline DBA Lifeline Community Services ("Lifeline") is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and discrimination is not tolerated. We are committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their best selves to work. We adhere to all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

In California, we extend these protections to include ancestry, medical condition, genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), familial status, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, and age (40 and above) among others, recognizing and valuing the diverse backgrounds and perspectives that all individuals bring to our team.

Lifeline is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) by providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and by ensuring that our employment practices do not discriminate against any individual.

We believe that diversity fuels innovation and creativity, and we are dedicated to building a team that reflects a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Lifeline's success is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and the collective contributions of all our employees.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Lifeline expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on any of the protected characteristics mentioned above.

Lifeline's leadership is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion and ensuring that our employment environment is free from discrimination and harassment. All employees are encouraged to report any instances of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in violation of this policy to a supervisor, HR representative, or through our reporting email.

By embracing diversity and promoting equality, Lifeline not only complies with all relevant legislation but also creates a richer, more vibrant work environment for all our employees.

Accommodations and Accessibility Statement

Lifeline Community Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and other applicable laws, Lifeline will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for the organization.

If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact humanresources@nclifeline,org as soon as possible. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, assistance with completing the application process, providing documents in an accessible format, or arranging for an accessible interview location.

Our goal is to ensure that all individuals have equal access to opportunities and are able to perform their job duties safely and effectively. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all employees can thrive.

Classification Compliance Statement

This position is intended to be classified as exempt under the administrative exemption provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and California labor laws. To qualify as exempt, employees must meet both the duties test and the salary test, which requires earning a minimum salary of no less than twice the California minimum wage for full-time employment. The salary range for this position is $78,000 to $88,000, and offers will be made in compliance with applicable laws to ensure the exempt classification is met. If the exemption criteria are not met, the classification of this position may be subject to change to comply with applicable labor laws, and adjustments to compensation, benefits, or job responsibilities may occur as required.