Foundation Partnership Grant Manager

Make a difference with us! At Alliance Defending Freedom, we believe God has brought you here for His purpose—to stand for truth and defend the God-given right to live and speak it. Together, we protect religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. Review our Statement of Faith to ensure we’re a fit for you.

Locations: Scottsdale, AZ / Lansdowne, VA / Dallas, TX

Team Overview

As the Foundation Partnerships Grant Manager, you will report to the Director of Operations within our Development function and be responsible for end-to-end ownership of the foundation grant cycle across the organization, including full ownership of grant reporting, supervision of the grant-writing function and the Grant Writer team member, and direct management of a small portfolio of foundation relationships. This role combines strategic grant-cycle leadership with day-to-day oversight of grant proposal and reporting content to ensure that ADF's foundation partners receive timely, accurate, and compelling communication.

Key Responsibilities

Grant Cycle Coordination & Management 

• Lead and manage all foundation and grant cycles across the organization, including shared relationships with Directors of Transformational Partnerships (DTP) and Transformational Relationship Managers (TRM).  
• Coordinate and oversee the internal grant cycle processes, including preparation, submission, and reporting for proposals, Letters of Intent (LOIs), and reports. 
• Review grant letters and agreements to identify restrictions, update contact information, and track deadlines. 

Grant Writing Oversight & Team Leadership 

• Directly supervise the Grant Writer, including assigning workload, setting priorities, and aligning writing deadlines with the master grant calendar. This also includes conducting regular one-on-ones, performance evaluations, and professional development planning for the Grant Writer. 
• Review, edit, and approve grant proposals, letters of intent, and reports before submission, ensuring quality, consistency, and adherence to each foundation's guidelines. 

End-to-End Grant Reporting 

• Own the full grant reporting lifecycle for the organization's foundation portfolio — from tracking reporting requirements and deadlines, through drafting oversight and internal review, to final submission. 
• Maintain a master grant reporting calendar and ensure no required report across the full portfolio is late or missed. 
• Provide relationship owners (DTPs, TRMs, and the Sr. Director of Foundation Partnerships) with regular visibility into reporting status and upcoming deadlines. 

Foundation Relationship Management 

• Directly manage a small portfolio of foundation relationships that require limited ongoing communication and no travel, serving as the primary point of contact for cultivation, stewardship, and grant fulfillment for these partners. 
• Keep a broader portfolio of Foundations that are currently giving but not seeking a personal relationship with ADF — communicating with external foundation directors on operational and administrative matters, deciding what to include in proposals and reports, and working directly with the Grant Writer. 

Financial Tracking, Data Management, & Reporting

• Regularly review and update Reliance (or relevant CRM systems) to ensure accurate reporting of actual and expected grant revenue and designations. 
• Track grant designations, receipts, and related budget/financial data. 
• Maintain grant-related online portals and the shared request list for corporate documents and financial information. 
• Prepare and distribute key reports, including the monthly Grant Summary Report, weekly Foundation Partnerships (FP) Statistics, and internal grant summaries for program staff. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. 
• 3+ years of relevant experience in grant management.
• Experience working with foundations on grant proposals, including knowledge of grant cycles and grant writing & reporting best practices. 
• Ability to review and edit written grant proposals and reports for clarity, tone, and compliance with foundation guidelines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in a professional environment. 
• Project coordination, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to be assertive with timelines and deadlines across the team and the organization.
• Ability to supervise, coach, and develop a small team, including delivering feedback and managing performance.  
• Takes initiative in improving processes to capture, track, organize, or report on grant and team production progress or results.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience supervising, mentoring, or coaching a team member preferred. 
• Project management software such as Wrike and Reliance.
• Experience with Salesforce.

Pay & Benefits

At Alliance Defending Freedom, we offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being and growth. Our benefits include 100% covered medical and dental insurance, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with a 4% company match. We prioritize work-life balance with paid time off and 12 paid holidays each year.

Want to Know More About ADF?

This salary range is reflective of a position based in Lansdowne, VA. This range is a good-faith estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, and office location.