Grants Manager

About CCI

Founded in 2001, the Center for Cultural Innovation is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) shifts cultural paradigms to catalyze better, alternative solutions for creatives, culture bearers, creative entrepreneurs, and their communities. We envision a future in which U.S. creative and cultural expressions reflect the potential of its people, because structures and their systems of self-determination and care for one another are flourishing.

Further information about CCI’s history and ongoing work can be found , and information about our Ambitio-US and Research to Impact Lab initiatives can be found at ambitio-us.org and r2i-lab.org, respectively.

Role Summary

The Grants Manager stewards CCI’s grantmaking and contracting infrastructure, designing and maintaining the systems, policies, and workflows that enable staff to carry out ethical, efficient, and compliant grantmaking. Acting as connective tissue across programs, operations, and external partners, this role ensures that the organization’s platforms and processes work seamlessly together to support strategic, trust-based grantmaking. In addition to working closely with the Grants and Operations teams, this role collaborates with all Core Program and Leadership teams across CCI.

Key Role Responsibilities

• Ensures the smooth operation of the full grantmaking lifecycle, from application intake and review through award, contracting, compliance, reporting, and closeout.
• Drives grants workflows and quality control processes to ensure grantmaking is efficient, compliant, and aligned with CCI policies, regulations, and trust-based practices.
• Manages all vendor contracts for the grants program, ensuring proper execution, compliance, and alignment with organizational policies.
• Ensures all data is accurate, complete, and reliable, enabling consistent tracking across the grants portfolio and the organization.
• Designs and generates reports and datasets that support internal learning, impact assessment, and external reporting to partners and stakeholders.
• Manages and improves grants-related systems and databases to support high-quality grants management, adapting tools as grantmaking needs evolve.
• Develops and maintains clear documentation, procedures, and guidance for grants systems and processes.
• Trains and supports staff in the effective use of grant systems, promoting consistency, accuracy, and shared understanding.
• Collaborates with Operations around procedures, contracts, payments, audits, compliance, data security, and IRS reporting.
• Supports organization-wide responsibilities and projects to advance CCI’s mission.

Qualifications

• Technical
  
  Skills and Abilities
  • Demonstrated proficiency in CRM and data systems (Salesforce, Submittable, Sign Request, Zapier preferred), with the ability to partner with vendors and translate complex systems into clear, accessible guidance and training.
  • Adept at balancing curiosity and willingness to experiment with new approaches with practical implementation.
  • Familiar with project management tools ( or Basecamp preferred).
  • Attention to detail and excellent organizational and time-management skills.
  • Ability to exercise solid judgment, think critically, set priorities, take initiative, and solve problems effectively.
  • Ability to work independently or collaboratively, maintain confidentiality, and seek guidance when appropriate.
  • Proficiency in using G Suite (Google Calendar, Docs, Forms) and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or equivalent software.
• Knowledge
  • Best practices in grants management, contracting, and compliance.
  • Data governance principles.
  • Trust-based and equity-centered grantmaking.
  • Ethical practices around data collection and management, and the fair and respectful treatment of applicants and grantees.
  • Philanthropic or nonprofit operations and funder/grantee relationships.
• Experiences
  • 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in grants management, systems administration, or operations within a nonprofit or philanthropic setting.
  • Demonstrated experience coordinating contracting and compliance…