Grant Administrator

Organization Mission and Summary 

SOS Meals on Wheels is a 501(c)3 nonprofit committed to fostering the independence and dignity of older adults by reducing food insecurity and isolation, with daily nutritious meals, friendly visits and connection to support services.  

We produce and deliver over 500,000 meals annually for homebound seniors living in Oakland, Hayward, San Leandro, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Fremont, Newark and Union City. As advocates for senior citizens, our mission is to provide a nutritious meal delivered by a friendly face that also acts as a wellness check, allowing seniors to remain independent in their homes for as long as safely possible.  

 

Position Overview 

The Grant Administrator will support the development team in its pursuit and retention of grant funding, serving as the chief process manager and knowledge-keeper of all things grant-related. Though blank-page grant writing is not part of this role, editing and customizing boilerplate language is a primary responsibility. Coordinating with external grant writers will sometimes be required. 

The overarching task of the Grant Administrator is to organize a complex portfolio of prospective and awarded grants—from government contracts to foundation grants, to application-based gifts from community organizations. Day-to-day activities relate to full-life-cycle grant management, including: 

  • Maintaining documentation that provides a centralized view of the organization’s grant portfolio 

  • Reviewing award letters and contracts; summarizing our goals and obligations related to the prescribed use of funds 

  • Meeting with internal stakeholders to understand progress against goals 

  • Researching or gathering information needed for new grant applications 

  • Working inside third-party grant administration systems (both internal and external); reporting on existing grants and preparing and staging new grant applications for review 

 

The Grant Administrator will report to the Director of Development on a three-person Development team that receives incremental support from contract grant writers. Close collaboration with the Finance, Programs, Advocacy and Operations teams, to track and align around grant compliance, is central to this role. 

 

Required Experience 

  • Direct experience in grant management, or a combination of program management experience and knowledge of the grant making world 

  • Direct experience in reading and interpreting contracts 

  • Demonstrated track record in portfolio management 

  • Prior accountability to Director, VP, or C-level leaders 

 

Desired Skills and Competencies 

  • Strong general administration skills (timeliness, thoroughness, attention to detail) 

  • Managing deadlines and managing to multiple deliverables within a large grant portfolio (e.g., grant deadlines, reporting deadlines) 

  • Cross-departmental collaboration and matrix management 

  • Agility in right- and left-brain thinking (e.g., creative ability around story and narrative as well as quantitative confidence as they pertain to financials and metrics) 

  • Funder perspective and relationship management (e.g., key external partners and contractors) 

  • Proficiency in developing short narratives based on data and other inputs 

  • Proficiency in MS Excel, including basic functions and pivot tables 

 

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Bachelor's degree or coursework in related fields preferred but not required 

  • Knowledge of issues facing older adults and interest in serving the aging population 

  • Knowledge of public funding regulations, including Older Americans Act compliance. 

  • Familiarity with nonprofit operations and program evaluation methods. 

 

Benefits 

  • 14 paid Holidays, including a floating holiday for your birthday. 

  • 2 weeks paid time off each year. 

  • 80 hours paid Sick Leave each year. 

  • 50% Health Insurance premiums paid (for qualifying plans). 

  • 100% Vision and Dental Insurance premiums paid. 

  • 403(b) retirement plan. 

  • Honeybee financial wellness and coaching benefit program. 

 

Level of Language Proficiency 

Fluent English 

 

Location 

Hybrid 

Work must be performed in California, US 

Associated Location: 2235 Polvorosa Avenue, San Leandro, CA 94577 

 

Application Instructions

Please use this listing on Idealist: https://ideali.st/rLQhkX

Tessa Baxter