Grants & Development Manager

The Grants & Development Manager provides support to both the Executive Director and Chief Philanthropic Officer on behalf of The Ability Center and Moss Universal Park’s philanthropic endeavors: Responsibilities include: tracking gifts, prospects, and donor communications. This role will offer key support that includes: fundraising events with sponsorship materials, leading foundation and grant efforts from ... Learn More

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Creator

The Ability Center

Encoded

The Grants & Development Manager provides support to both the Executive Director and Chief Philanthropic Officer on behalf of The Ability Center and Moss Universal Park’s philanthropic endeavors: Responsibilities include: tracking gifts, prospects, and donor communications. This role will offer key support that includes: fundraising events with sponsorship materials, leading foundation and grant efforts from drafting through reporting. This is a hands-on, detail-driven role for someone who thrives in keeping the philanthropic culture running smoothly and who can work independently growing and maintaining the grants pipeline.

Essential Responsibilities

Prospect Support

• Track and maintain accurate records of gifts, prospects, and donor communications to support the Chief Philanthropic Officer and Executive Director.
• Prepare briefing materials, donor profiles, and follow-up communications ahead of and after meetings.
• Monitor the donor pipeline, flagging key next steps, deadlines, and stewardship touchpoints.

Event Support

• Develop sponsorship materials and budget proposals for TAC’s fundraising events.
• Provide staffing/volunteers and on-site logistics support at events, including the UnstoppABLE Cup and UnstoppABLE Awards.
• Coordinate sponsor fulfillment, recognition, and post-event follow-up.

Foundation & Grants (Lead)

• Work with the team to build on past success, applying strong stewardship and reporting to deepen existing relationships with foundations and future funding.
• Lead the drafting of grant applications and letters of inquiry.
• Manage grant reporting and compliance, ensuring all deadlines are tracked and met.
• Maintain a comprehensive grant calendar and tracker across all foundation relationships.

General Development Support

• Maintain accurate donor records and funding data across systems such as Salesforce and FundraiseUp.
• Lead the execution of giving campaigns (Giving Day, year-end appeals) with materials, tracking, and reporting.

Professional Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, communications, or a related field.
• 2–4 years of experience in development, fundraising, or grant writing.
• Demonstrated grant writing and reporting experience.
• Strong organizational skills with CRM/database proficiency.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace tools.

The type of person who will really succeed in this role will have:

• A strong understanding of the philanthropic landscape in the community; Meticulous attention to detail and follow-through;
• Looking to build a career in development at TAC, you won’t be siloed in one lane; you’ll be involved in to manage events, grants, and campaigns with philanthropic leadership
• A strong writer who can move confidently between a grant narrative and a donor thank-you note.
• Support senior leadership while also independently owning a full grants portfolio.
• Energy for both behind-the-scenes tracking and being on the ground at events.
• A commitment to the founder’s mission and vision and a strong understanding of the people and the community we serve with disabilities.

Additional Information

• Local travel required for events and donor meetings.
• Evening and weekend availability required for events.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Job Category

Southeast Wisconsin

A Learn More

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The Grants & Development Manager provides support to both the Executive Director and Chief Philanthropic Officer on behalf of The Ability Center and Moss Universal Park’s philanthropic endeavors: Responsibilities include: tracking gifts, prospects, and donor communications. This role will offer key support that includes: fundraising events with sponsorship materials, leading foundation and grant efforts from drafting through reporting. This is a hands-on, detail-driven role for someone who thrives in keeping the philanthropic culture running smoothly and who can work independently growing and maintaining the grants pipeline.

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Essential Responsibilities

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• Track and maintain accurate records of gifts, prospects, and donor communications to support the Chief Philanthropic Officer and Executive Director.

• Prepare briefing materials, donor profiles, and follow-up communications ahead of and after meetings.

• Monitor the donor pipeline, flagging key next steps, deadlines, and stewardship touchpoints.

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Develop sponsorship materials and budget proposals for TAC’s fundraising events.