General Description
The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF) was created by the Supreme Court of Texas to administer the Texas IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts) Program. This is a mandatory program in which attorneys are required to earn interest on their nominal and/or short-term trust funds. The Foundation awards grants to programs assisting poor Texans with civil legal matters.
The Director of Grants is the chief grants administrator, serves as custodian of the Foundation records and unofficially serves as in-house counsel. The Director of Grants is responsible for managing all aspects of the grants department and for the review and assessment of all requests for funding, monitoring grantees for compliance and effectiveness and supervises grant management staff. The Director of Grants manages the Grants team and is part of the Management team of TAJF. The Director of Grants works with a variety of community groups and organizations including the Texas Access to Justice Commission, State Bar of Texas committees and sections, non-profit legal aid programs, bar associations, domestic violence shelters, law school clinical programs, private attorneys, and members of the public.
Primary Functions
Reviews, assesses, analyses, evaluates throughout the year, grantee data on outcomes and statistical performance as well as quarterly expenditures for reliability and accuracy; Responsible for monitoring of approved grants in accordance with established policies and procedures; Ensures grant activity is in compliance with the Foundation’s policies.
Supports efficient and effective communications between program staff and applicants and grantees. Oversee support for external users of the online system when applying for and reporting on grants.
Leads the design, plan and conduct on-site reviews and peer review evaluations of grantee organizations annually.
Produces reports for grantees on visits which cover compliance, grant requirements, foundation policies and procedures and offers technical assistance on quality of services, operational efficiency, fiscal oversight and grant accountability and board governance areas. Approves grantees’ budgets, requests for modification and makes recommendations to board for requests by grantees to carry over funds beyond current grant year.
Updates and implements grant administrative processes that support the Foundation’s vision and grant making activities. Oversees the planning and preparation for periodic workshop, trainings, and webinars offering technical assistance for grantees.
Provides presentations and information outreach such as to local bar associations, national IOLTA workshops and including participation in U.S. Programs and foundation task forces and working groups.
Initiates and maintains networks of relationships with other grant management professionals locally and nationally. Staying abreast of trends in philanthropy and nonprofit law.
Oversees and approves the payment of grant funds to grantees through scheduled releases.
Supervisors all grant staff for grant administration and special projects. Conducts annual performance reviews for grant administrative staff and special projects manager. Provides new-hire orientation of staff on grant making policies, practices and systems.
Establishes fiscal standards for grant oversight & oversees fiscal reviews of grantees in coordination with the Director of Finance.
Serves as custodian of Foundation records, a co-signor on foundation bank accounts as well as in house counsel. Reviews, approves or denies requests (subpoenas, summons) for disclosure of attorney banking information from litigants, Chief Disciplinary Counsel, and state and federal prosecutors.
Works in conjunction with the Executive Director and Special Projects Manager to promote improvement of the grantees' capacity to provide high quality, effective and efficient legal services including:
Assesses approaches to the delivery of legal services and develops models that improve delivery systems.
Works with programs to develop innovative state justice activities.
Develops new grants programs as needed.
GENERAL DUTIES:
- Assists executive director in annual budget/grants process.
- Assists executive director in planning and attending board and committee meetings.
- Performs miscellaneous tasks as needed or requested by the Executive Director.
Position Requirements
Licensed to practice law in Texas for a minimum of 20 years or licensed in another state and upon hiring, will take the first bar exam available. Litigation and management/supervisory experience required, preferably in non-profit legal aid or in areas of law that directly impact poor Texans. Strong organizational, analytical, writing and interpersonal skills. Ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks and effectively communicate. Ability to switch between strategic and practical thinking, with both qualitative and quantitative analytic skills. Strong written and oral communication skills.
