Grants Manager

Company: MANNA FOOD CENTER INC
Location: Silver Spring
Posted on: February 13, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Manna Food Center Job Description – Grants Manager Reports to Director of Development and Communications (DoD&C) Direct Reports None Full-Time/Part-Time Full-time. Exempt. Incumbent None Salary/Hourly wage $64,000 – $69,500 Annually Job Summary In partnership with the Director of Development & Communications (DoD&C), the Grants Manager will identify, secure, and steward foundation and government grant funding to support Manna Food Center’s mission to end hunger through food distribution, education, and advocacy. This position manages a grants portfolio valued at approximately $2 million annually, encompassing 65–70 foundation grants and select government funding opportunities. The role requires strategic thinking, exceptional writing skills, and the ability to build authentic relationships with foundation program officers and government funders. Summary of Essential Job Functions Grant Strategy & Portfolio Management (40%) Implement a comprehensive foundation grants strategy in collaboration with the Leadership Team. Manage and grow a portfolio of 65–70 foundation grants. Research and identify new foundation funding opportunities aligned with Manna’s strategic priorities. Maintain a detailed grant calendar tracking all proposal deadlines, reporting dates, and renewal cycles. Proposal Development & Writing (30%) Write compelling letters of inquiry, grant proposals, and funding applications that clearly articulate Manna’s mission, programs, and impact. Collaborate with program staff, finance team, and leadership to develop accurate project narratives, measurable outcomes, and detailed budgets. Relationship Management & Stewardship (15%) Cultivate and steward strong relationships with foundation program officers. Schedule and support site visits, program tours, and presentations for foundation funders. Serve as a liaison between Manna and foundation funders. Compliance & Reporting (10%) Prepare and submit timely, high-quality grant reports (both financial and programmatic) to meet all funder requirements. Maintain meticulous records of all grant communications, proposals, reports, and supporting documentation. Support compliance with all grant terms, conditions, and reporting requirements. Government Funding Support (5%) Support identification and pursuit of select government funding opportunities in collaboration with the Executive Team. Maintain familiarity with government grant processes and requirements. Assist with government contract renewals and RFP responses as needed. Maintain a general understanding of the local government funding landscape (Montgomery County, State of Maryland). Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree with 6–8 years of demonstrated success in grant writing and management, preferably in a nonprofit environment. Proven track record of securing grants of $25,000 from foundations. Experience managing a grants portfolio. Strong understanding of the grant lifecycle from prospect research through reporting and compliance. Experience with food security, hunger relief, or community development issues preferred. Familiarity with government grant processes is a plus, but not required. Required Skills & Competencies Exceptional writing and editing skills. Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency with grant management software (Instrumentl or similar) and CRM systems (Salesforce). Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Commitment to racial equity, social justice, and Manna’s mission. Requirements Successful Candidate will: Demonstrate a collegial, collaborative approach to working with colleagues at all levels of the organization. Be well organized with strong attention to detail. Be a proactive problem solver able to work independently and within a team framework. Have a proven ability to prioritize multiple projects, meet deadlines, and produce outstanding results in a fast-paced nonprofit environment with limited resources. Be open to receiving and applying constructive feedback. This position will be based at Manna’s Silver Spring office, with occasional travel to the Gaithersburg warehouse, partner sites, and funder meetings throughout Montgomery County. A hybrid schedule may be available after the introductory period. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. The employees constantly operate computers and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. The person in this position frequently communicates with staff, board members, and vendors and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Why Choose Manna? It takes all types of people to make Manna great. We seek a diverse and committed group of individuals who are eager to engage in service to the community while enabling their own personal growth and professional development. One of our core priorities is to enable our employees to live a well-balanced life and career, and our benefits are an important extension of that philosophy. As such, we offer a competitive suite of benefits, including: Participation in Manna’s comprehensive Health Benefits Plan. Eleven paid holidays your birthday! Two weeks paid vacation, which increases with tenure, 10 paid sick days to start, and 3 personal days per fiscal year. Free Short-Term Disability Insurance. Generous retirement benefits. New parents leave. Support for work-related transportation in accordance with Manna’s practices and procedures. Our Culture At Manna, our core values are passion and determination, relationships built on respect, resourcefulness, community involvement, and adaptability and ingenuity. Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is a top priority that enables us to find excellent teammates and creates an environment where all types of people can belong and thrive. Manna is participant-centered and data-driven. Our people do meaningful work in an environment where they feel a genuine sense of community and connectedness to Manna’s mission. Manna relies on problem-solving and solution creation from all levels. Working at Manna is a dynamic experience with the opportunity to take ownership and make a difference. Our work is strengthened by the voices of people with lived experience of food insecurity. Racial Equity Statement Manna Food Center is committed to serving as an ally for racial justice and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are fully committed to equity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, political opinion, and national origin. Applicants with lived experience of our service area are encouraged to apply. Disclaimer This job description is not a contract and confers no contractual rights, privileges, or benefits on any applicant or potential applicant. Manna has the right to change any and all terms of this job description, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, qualifications, and benefits. Nothing in this job description constitutes an offer or guarantee of employment. Manna reserves the right to change its current benefits program at any time, in a manner that is consistent with applicable federal and state regulations. Manna is an Equal Opportunity Employer .

Keywords: MANNA FOOD CENTER INC, Alexandria , Grants Manager, Social Services , Silver Spring, Virginia