Job Description
Foundation Communities has been creating housing where families succeed since 1990. It is a local, homegrown organization that has become a nationally recognized nonprofit that empowers low and moderate-income families and individuals through quality affordable housing and tools to increase their health, education, and economic standing. Its model empowers low and moderate-income Austinites to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. Position Description: Foundation Communities is seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Grants to lead our institutional fundraising efforts. This role is the architect of our grant-seeking strategy, responsible for securing the resources that fuel our mission to provide affordable housing and life-changing services. You will lead a high-performing team of writers and fundraising professionals bridging the gap between complex program design and funder priorities. The ideal candidate is a master storyteller, an energetic prospector, and a collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-centric environment. Key Responsibilities Strategic Grant Leadership Develop and lead a comprehensive organizational grants strategy that grows and diversifies Foundation Communities' portfolio of government, foundation, and corporate grants. Identify major funding opportunities aligned with housing stability, education, financial wellness, health initiatives, and other program areas. Monitor public funding trends and policy shifts affecting affordable housing, social services, and community development sectors. Grant Development & Management Oversee high-quality and timely grant proposal development—including narrative writing, budget formulation, and submission processes—in collaboration with the Chief Revenue Officer, members of fundraising team and program leaders. Ensure all grant applications meet internal standards, funder requirements, and organizational goals. Review and approve proposal materials prepared by grant writers, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and consistency. Post‑Award Oversight & Compliance Coordinate with Grants Management to ensure the organization meets all post award obligations, including reporting, documentation, invoicing, and contract requirements. Oversee tracking of grant deliverables, performance outcomes, and funder mandated data reporting in coordination with program and data teams. Support consistent grant management processes, templates, and dashboards used across the organization. Team Leadership & Cross‑Department Collaboration Supervise and mentor the grants team, including senior grant writers, grant writers, and grants/data staff. Facilitate strong cross departmental relationships with program directors, finance, compliance, health initiatives, education, and asset management. Lead internal grant planning meetings to ensure program readiness, alignment, and capacity. Funder Relations & Stewardship Serve as a primary point of contact for major institutional funders and government agencies. Cultivate long-term relationships to drive renewal, expanded partnerships, and multi-year funding commitments. Represent Foundation Communities in funder meetings, site visits, public presentations, and community engagements. Qualifications Experience 7+ years of experience in grant writing, grant management, institutional fundraising or non-profit development, with 3+ years in leadership or supervisory role. Demonstrated success securing and managing complex government and foundation grants, ideally in housing, community development, education, or social services. Experience developing funding strategies and overseeing a high-volume grants portfolio (e.g., $3M–$6M+ annually, as benchmarked by peer roles). Skills & Competencies Exceptional writing, editing, research, and storytelling abilities. Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret program data, financial information, and performance outcomes. Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously. Collaborative leadership style with the ability to work effectively across departments. High degree of organization, accuracy, and attention to detail. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, fundraising CRM platforms and familiarity with grants data systems. Preferred Qualifications Experience working within organizations providing affordable housing, supportive services, or education