The Grants and Development Operations Manager is a vital member of the Development, Marketing, and Communications team, responsible for securing funding through grant research, writing, and reporting, while also ensuring accurate donor systems, donation processing, and data integrity. Working under the direction of the Director of Development, Marketing & Communications, this position provides the backbone for donor stewardship and fundraising success by keeping our systems strong, our data reliable, and our funding opportunities fully supported. By connecting accurate data with compelling funding requests, the Manager helps sustain programs that provide more than 8.6 million meals annually to over 45,000 people facing food insecurity across our 16-county service area.
This individual must demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, strong writing and analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Cultural competency is essential, as this role supports efforts that impact diverse donors, foundations, and community partners. The Manager must also show initiative in improving systems, strengthening donor stewardship processes, and ensuring that every funding opportunity is tracked and maximized.
A passion for social justice and compassion for others are essential to being a staff member at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. We strive to work as a unified team to close the Meal Gap in northeast Iowa, and to this end the Grants and Development Operations Manager must be both a reliable collaborator and an independent self-starter. Maintaining a positive outlook and a high standard of accuracy will be key in ensuring donors, staff, and partners can trust the systems and reporting that support NEIFB’s mission.
The responsibilities of the Grants and Development Operations Manager include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Lead grant research, writing, submissions, and reporting in collaboration with the Director of Development, Marketing, and Communications and other departments.
- Track deadlines, required materials, and reporting obligations for all grant-funded programs.
- Maintain accurate and organized grant records in Salesforce and other systems.
- Oversee the integrity of Salesforce CRM, including donation entry, batch processing, and reconciliation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with established gift-processing procedures. Collaborate with the Administrative Assistant and Community Engagement Coordinator, who assist with donation input, mail opening, and deposit preparation, to maintain strong internal controls.
- Research potential funding sources, including foundations, corporations, and government entities, and align opportunities with organizational priorities.
- Serve as the front-line contact for donors, answering calls, welcoming walk-ins, and responding to emails with professionalism and care.
- Provide analysis and reporting to measure donor activity, campaign performance, and fundraising progress. Pull reports as needed.
- Identify opportunities to improve Salesforce processes and workflows for greater efficiency across the Development team.
- Partner with the Development team to ensure all gifts are acknowledged in a timely, donor-centered manner.
- Collaborate with the Donor Relations Manager to steward donor relationships, ensuring consistent engagement and support.
- Assist in executing cause marketing initiatives and campaigns that generate funding beyond established events and programs.
- Support donor communications, including acknowledgements, thank-you letters, and stewardship reports.
- Attend community events as needed to support donor engagement and represent NEIFB’s mission.
- Assist with donor-related events, campaigns, and recognition opportunities.
- Work collaboratively across the Development team to ensure a consistent, donor-centered experience.
- Provide fundraising-related support, including donor lists, reports, and communications materials.
- Greet, train, and supervise volunteers as well as share the mission of the NEIFB; provide general guidance of projects; assure proper training of volunteers to include specific jobs and safety concerns. Communicate frequently with volunteers to ensure they are satisfied and appropriately placed.
- In instances of a federal, state, or locally declared emergency, NEIFB is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all employees may be called in to perform regular or emergent duties Other duties as assigned.
Ticket/Specifications
Required:
- 4-year degree or 5 years’ experience related to grant writing, fundraising, nonprofit management, or data/CRM administration; combination of education and experience will be considered
- Proficiency in CRM systems (Salesforce preferred), with demonstrated experience in data entry, reporting, donation processing, and maintaining data integrity
- Proven experience in grant research, writing, submissions, and reporting
- Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to generate, interpret, and present reports on donor activity, fundraising progress, and campaign performance
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
- Culturally competent, with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups and individuals
- Ability to work as a collaborative team member while also being a self-starter who can manage independent projects
- Must pass a criminal background check
Preferred:
- Experience with nonprofit fundraising, development operations, or donor stewardship
- Familiarity with cause marketing initiatives and donor communications
- Experience reconciling donations and collaborating with finance/administrative teams to maintain internal controls
- Knowledge of and experience with Adobe Suite or Canva for preparing donor/impact materials
- Ability to improve systems and workflows for greater efficiency across a team
Desired:
- Community involvement and knowledge of the communities within NEIFB’s 16-county service area
- Familiarity with Feeding America network or other food bank–related funding streams
- Demonstrated ability to represent an organization at community events or donor functions
Work Environment
This position operates in a typical office environment with frequent use of a computer, phone, and standard office equipment, as well as within the community at events or donor meetings. Occasional nights and weekends may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Physical Demands
The position requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods, lift up to 30 pounds, and occasionally assist with event setup or donor-related activities. Routine travel to meetings, trainings, and community events is expected.
NEIFB Core Values
Attitude of Helpfulness
Confidently Humble
Clear Communication
Empathetic to the Community
Solution Centered
Striving for Excellence
NEIFB Core Focus
Our Purpose:
Collaborate + Educate + Advocate = Feed the Food Insecure
Our 10-Year Bold Aspiration:
Every Meal. Every Day. Everyone.
Northeast Iowa Food Bank hereby affirms it is an equal opportunity employer, offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender expression or identity, pregnancy, leave status, genetic information or age and provides Equal Employment Opportunity to handicapped individuals, disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era. Further, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider.