Grants Manager [Hybrid]

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma-informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive, not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity, community collaboration, and innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills, passion and collaborative spirit, join our growing team of over 100 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity, including (but by no means limited to) racial, ethnic, gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term, systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving

ABOUT THE ROLE:

We are seeking an experienced Grant Writer to join our team and lead efforts in identifying, writing, and submitting grant applications, with a focus on government funding opportunities. This role will involve managing the entire grant lifecycle, including pre-award prospecting, application submission, and post-award compliance and reporting. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in securing government grants, particularly with agencies such as the State of California, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH), and Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and familiarity with compliance and contract management are essential to success in this role.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Grant Research & Prospecting: Identify and research funding opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and other relevant sources that align with the organization’s mission and projects.

Grant Writing & Submission: Draft, write, and submit compelling grant proposals, with a focus on government grant applications, particularly with State of California, LA County DMH, and LAHSA.

Pre-Award Coordination: Collaborate with internal departments to gather necessary documentation and data for grant applications, ensuring all applications meet eligibility criteria, deadlines, and guidelines.

Post-Award Contract Management: Manage the entire post-award process, including contract execution, budget monitoring, and reporting requirements.

Compliance & Reporting: Ensure compliance with all grant terms and conditions. Prepare and submit accurate and timely reports to funders, ensuring adherence to requirements throughout the grant period.

Grant Tracking & Documentation: Maintain detailed records of all grant activities, including submissions, awards, and reporting deadlines, using organizational systems and tools.

Collaboration: Work closely with program managers, finance, and leadership teams to ensure alignment on grant objectives, deliverables, and funding requirements.

Data Collection & Performance Measurement: Collaborate with internal teams to ensure proper data collection, outcome tracking, and performance reporting for grants awarded.

Requirements

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Public Administration, Social Sciences or a related field is preferred, but work experience in lieu of a degree will be considered.

Experience:

Minimum of 3 years of grant writing experience, with a focus on government grants is required.

Proven success in applying for and securing funds from State of California, LA County DMH, and LAHSA is highly is preferred.

Demonstrated knowledge of grant compliance, reporting, and contract management is preferred.

1-2 years of supervisory experience is preferred.

Skills:

Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy in grant writing, reporting, and compliance.

Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and projects simultaneously.

Proficient in Microsoft Office and grant management tools (experience with grants.gov or other portals is a plus).

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.

Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.