First Nations is Seeking a Lead Grants Officer

First Nations is Hiring a Lead Grants Officer

First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) is a Native-led nonprofit organization working to strengthen Native American economies to support healthy Native communities. For 39 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of a wide range of assets they own – whether land, human potential, cultural heritage, natural resources, etc. – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native American communities.

First Nations is now hiring for a Lead Grants Officer. The Lead Grants Officer plays an essential role in all of First Nations’ grantmaking activities as well as assisting program officers with oversight of community grant partners. Primary responsibilities include overseeing the administration and implementation of First Nations’ grantmaking activities, managing First Nations’ grantmaking database, and working with program officers and others to ensure First Nations’ programs are following policies, procedures and best practices in all aspects of grantmaking.

This is a full-time, exempt position located at First Nations’ national headquarters in Longmont, Colorado. This position reports to the Vice President of Grantmaking, Development and Communications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitors and implements grantmaking activities, policies and procedures. 
• Works closely with First Nations’ program officers and community partners to ensure proper grant reporting and compliance.
• Oversees the First Nations grantmaking database (GIFTS Online).
• Responsible for data management, development of grant-status reports, monitoring incoming grantee progress reports, grant payments, grant-proposal submissions and overall user interface with the First Nations’ grantmaking system.
• Works closely with First Nations’ program officers and the finance department to ensure accurate accounting of the grantmaking program.
• Provides technical assistance and troubleshoots user issues with the online grantmaking system.
• Works with the vice president to lead efforts to make process improvements in the grantmaking program.
• Works independently to ensure the grantmaking program is in compliance with best practices and existing policies and procedures, while also ensuring First Nations’ grantmaking program is responsive to organizational and user needs.
• Implements grantmaking processes, and works with program officers and grant-selection committees, from selection and review meetings, in setting up reporting requirements and payments for new grants and other programmatic needs.
• Provides reports, responds to database inquiries, and generates grant histories as requested.
• Participates in annual financial audits as necessary.
• Trains staff on grant procedures and processes.
• Prepares and presents Board materials and responds to Board inquiries.
• Communicates First Nations’ grantmaking policies to grantees and grant applicants.
• Organizes and plans convenings, annual conferences and site visits as necessary.
• Develops internal and external peer networks.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of three years of relevant experience (e.g. database management, experience in a nonprofit organization and/or as a program officer/ grantmaker/grantseeker).
• Knowledge of nonprofit grantmaking and practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong customer-service orientation.
• Competent self-starter who will take initiative and work independently.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.
• Strong administrative ability and attention to detail.
• Ability to organize and meet deadlines for a wide variety of job assignments simultaneously, with minimum supervision.
• Strong computer skills, including but not limited to MS Office, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of cloud-based database systems.
• Positive attitude, good people skills and the ability to work closely with people at all levels of experience and proficiency.
• Demonstrated teamwork.
• Minimal travel.
• Sense of humor and grace under pressure.

To learn more about this position or to apply, please visit www.firstnations.org/our-values/jobs.

To download a PDF version of the full job description, click here.

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume and three references via email to [email protected]. Please note “Lead Grants Officer” in the email subject line.