Description
Mission, Vision, and Values
The Nashville Food Project brings people together to grow, cook and share nourishing food, with the goals of cultivating community and alleviating hunger in our city. At The Nashville Food Project, we embrace a vision of vibrant community food security in which everyone in Nashville has access to the food they want and need through a just and sustainable food system. This mission and vision are guided by core organizational values, including hospitality, stewardship, interdependence, learning, justice, and transformation.
Organizational Background
The Nashville Food Project (TNFP) was born from the idea that good food is a matter of basic dignity. Since its start in 2007, TNFP has served thousands of Nashvillians facing food insecurity. In 2011, TNFP was incorporated as an independent nonprofit, shifting the focus of its meals program toward a collaborative partnership model and launching an urban agriculture program. Today, TNFP continues to connect people to nourishing food and to each other through vibrant urban agriculture projects, made-from-scratch meals, and food shared with local partners working to disrupt cycles of poverty.
Position Summary
The Nashville Food Project is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Grants Manager to join the Development Team. Reporting to the Director of Development, this key role focuses on overseeing the entire grant research, application, and management process. The Grants Manager will identify new funding sources, enhance current grant awards, and effectively communicate TNFP’s mission and programs to potential funders. Success in this role will be measured by the ability to increase and diversify grant funding.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Grant Proposal Development: Write persuasive and compelling grant proposals for private foundations, corporate foundations, and local and national government agencies, including the USDA.
- Research & Strategy: Conduct thorough research to identify prospective grant sources that align with TNFP’s mission and programs and develop an annual grant strategy based on these findings.
- Grant Calendar Management: Maintain an accurate annual calendar of grant submissions and reporting requirements, ensuring timely submissions of letters of inquiry, proposals, and reports.
- Data Management: Collaborate with program staff to manage all program impact data required for proposals and reporting, ensuring accuracy and relevance.
- Compliance Oversight: Ensure all grant requirements are met and that deliverables are completed on time.
- Grant Tracking: Utilize the Raiser’s Edge database to track grant data, including qualified prospects, proposals in progress, submissions, funding outcomes, deadlines, and communications, maintaining up-to-date and comprehensive records.
- Profile Maintenance: Keep TNFP’s profiles updated on Giving Matters and other relevant giving platforms.
- Organizational Awareness: Stay informed about TNFP’s programs and funding initiatives to effectively communicate their impact to funders.
- Networking & Relationship Building: Represent TNFP at development-related networking and speaking events to strengthen relationships and expand the supporter base.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 3-5 years of professional grant writing and/or fundraising experience
- Proven experience in grant writing and management
- Strong research skills and familiarity with grant-making organizations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management abilities
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse teams and maintain strong relationships
- Proficiency in database management, particularly Raiser’s Edge or similar systems
- Creative, strategic thinker with the ability to make decisions in a dynamic environment
- 2-3 recent writing samples - previous grant submissions (redacted private info is fine), LOIs or grant reports preferred
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong interest in, or experience with, anti-poverty and/or food justice work
- Background experience in culinary arts, food service management, and/or agriculture
CLASSIFICATION
This role is an exempt, salaried position. Hybrid or remote work is standard. Weekend and evening hours are required occasionally.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The annual salary range for this role is $52,000 to $65,000, commensurate with experience. TNFP offers a benefits package for full-time employees including:
- 75% employer paid health insurance, with voluntary dental and vision insurance
- 25% employer paid health insurance for spouse and dependents
- Employer paid term-life and AD&D insurance, and long-term disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Cell phone stipend
- 16 paid holidays, plus two floating holidays
- Flexible Time Off (FTO)
- Parental leave
- Hybrid work environment with flexible work schedule and location
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
In all aspects of its work, The Nashville Food Project strives for a culture of inclusivity and fairness without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by law.