American Savings Foundation: The American Savings Foundation is an independent charitable foundation dedicated to strengthening the community by supporting education, human services, and the arts, with a special emphasis on the needs of children, youth and families, through grants to community organizations and college scholarships.

POSITION SUMMARY: Manage a wide range of duties related to the Foundation's grants program, including, but not limited to, outreach, processing, review, and analyzing outcomes across a portfolio of grants across all priority areas. Assist the president and CEO administering the Foundation's grants program, carrying out its objectives, and providing recommendations and implementing program enhancements. Work closely with the President & CEO on communications activities of the Foundation, including writing press releases, developing and managing social media and website content.

The job functions, as outlined in this job description, are intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this position. The omission of any job function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to this position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grants Management & Administration

Provide management and oversight of an assigned portfolio of grants across all priority areas (human services, education, and arts and culture), throughout the entire grant lifecycle.

• Respond to public inquiries regarding Foundation grant policies and procedures. Provide guidance and technical assistance to grant seekers.
• Review and analyze grant requests, conduct due diligence including follow-up inquiries.
• Provide analysis and professional judgment in developing staff recommendations to the Grants Committee, including analysis of the nonprofit organization, its operations, and budget.
• Assist with presenting oral and written reports and answering questions to the Grants Committee and the Board of Directors as needed.
• Produce timely confirmation and other official correspondence to grant seekers and grantees.
• § Monitor grants by conducting site visits and additional meetings. Analyze grantee progress and final reports. Provide regular updates on progress to the President & CEO, and/or Grants Committee and the Board, as directed,

• Follow Foundation policies and procedures including payment processing, record keeping, and record retention, regarding all aspects of grants management.
• Keep abreast of trends in grantsmanship, philanthropy, outcomes evaluation, and database management. Support the implementation of evolving grant-making strategies as appropriate, in keeping with philanthropic best practices.

  Communications

• Work closely with the President & CEO and grantees to write and edit Foundation press releases and social media content
• Update and manage content on the Foundation’s website. Create and post stories regarding grants and foundation accomplishments. Write and manage Grantee stories, links to recent articles, and other areas of the website.
• Create and maintain a system for tracking and reporting on news stories about grantees and about the Foundation.
• Assist with planning and executing the Foundation’s annual communications plan, which may include working with an outside communications consultant, and other duties as assigned.
• Assists in planning and running events with a focus on grant-related engagement. Provide support for other Foundation events.

  Community Leadership

• Represent the Foundation at meetings of non-profit agencies, other funders, and community leaders. Maintain relationships with other foundations and non-profits. Attend events on behalf of the Foundation.
• Explore issues and trends in the community to help the Foundation develop and implement proactive strategies and strategic grantmaking.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Job Experience: Successful candidate needs 5-7 years of professional work experience. Working knowledge of local non-profit community and area needs. Preference is for a candidate with prior experience in the nonprofit sector, corporate philanthropy, or foundation. Specific experience in foundation grants management and/or nonprofit communications. Able to exercise judgment and conduct an analysis of non-profit organizations, including their budgets and operations, as a function of the Foundation's grants program. Significant skills in organizing, analyzing, presenting data, reaching conclusions, and developing recommendations. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of individuals. Motivated and results oriented.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required. Certification or training in communications, marketing, or social media preferred.

Professional Profile:

• Self-directed individual capable of working independently and assume personal responsibility.
• Experience managing complex and time-sensitive processes.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask at a high level of competency and accuracy, performing a variety of detailed tasks and projects.
• Strong writing and communications skills and experience.
  • Commitment to discretion, confidentiality, and integrity.
  • Thrives in a demanding environment--with empathy, poise, and good humor.
  • Flexible when priorities and workload shift dramatically and quickly.
• Proficient at managing a high volume of tasks and timelines, while maintaining attention to detail.
• Able to prioritize what tasks should take precedence and balance demanding workload, especially during peak seasons.
• Strong customer service ethic and team-oriented, excellent interpersonal skills.
• Dynamic, positive, high energy individual able to relate well with diverse populations and age groups.
• Creative and capable of problem-solving in a work environment composed of a small mission-focused team, working together to accomplish American Savings Foundation's mission and goals.

Technical Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills. Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite. Significant experience with grants databases management such as Foundant, or similar. Experience working on web-based platforms such as social media, website management tools, DocuSign, SignalVine, Canva, Constant Contact, and the capacity to adopt new online tools required.

Travel: In-state regional travel is required. Occasional out-of-state travel for conferences may be required. Avalid driver's license and the ability to meet the Foundations driving standards is requirement for this position. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: This is a full-time, exempt position with hours M-F 8:30-5:00 or M-F 8:00 – 4:30, with some evenings and weekend hours required to conduct site visits and attend community events in alignment with agency schedules. The position is office-based at 1 Liberty Square, New Britain, CT 06051. Salary is commensurate with experience. Any offer is subject to a successful background check.

The American Savings Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.