Grants and Engagement Manager

About the Organization: 

Monroe County, Florida– affectionately known as the Florida Keys– claims the highest cost of living and highest food-cost index in the state of Florida (Feeding America: Map the Meal Gap). As a result, the United Way of Collier and the Keys reports that almost half (43%) of Monroe households live paycheck to paycheck, forcing many residents to prioritize other costs of living above their food needs.

The mission of the SOS Foundation is to foster a healthier Monroe County, Florida community by increasing equitable food access through food distribution, food recovery, and nutrition education. SOS operates two client-choice food pantries, fresh and frozen meal programs through a commercial Community Kitchen, and extensive nutrition and agricultural education programming. The organization supplements each of these endeavors with The SOS Eco Farm, which grows thousands of pounds of vegetables, leafy greens, and herbs via 60 aeroponic Tower Gardens annually. In all, SOS’s small, but mighty, team increases the food and nutrition security of more than 10,000 unduplicated households in need every year. We’re looking for a Grants and Engagement Manager to join us in making a difference! 

Position Overview:

The Grants and Engagement Manager will be primarily responsible for the organization’s grants management, co-management of SOS’s five AmeriCorps VISTA members, and leadership of SOS’s community relations. Reporting to SOS’s Executive Director, the Manager will regularly seek new opportunities for program innovation and financial sustainability, in line with SOS’s mission and strategic goals. 

Reports to: Executive Director 

Core Responsibilities: 

• Grant Management: 
  • Fully understand the programs offered by the organization in order to better describe them in grant and other funding applications, and utilize that understanding to better seek and recommend grants; 
  • Work with Executive Director to complete and submit relevant grant and endowment applications, reports, and updates, ensuring that submission deadlines are met, and guidelines are exactly followed; 
  • Work with the Executive Director to develop and oversee program budgets; 
  • Oversee accurate program data collection, maintenance, and analytics for reporting and promotion purposes, evolving processes as needed; 
  • Act as the lead point of contact with grant-making organizations and mid-level individual donors 
  • Ensure tax receipt and donor acknowledgement forms are completed in a timely manner; 
  • Effectively describe SOS’s programs to grant-makers and community partners to demonstrate impact, increase support, and expand program reach. 
  • Oversee communications related to grant initiatives (ie: e-newsletter articles, social media posts, website coverage, Annual Reports) 
• Co-management of SOS’s AmeriCorps VISTA Program with the Nutrition Programs Manager: 
  • Assist with the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes for all AmeriCorps VISTA positions. This may include: creating job descriptions and VADs, determining appropriate performance measures, interviewing potential candidates, coordinating for the arrival of new VISTA members, and leading portions of VISTA members’ orientations.  
  • Assist with the day-to-day management and professional development of the AmeriCorps VISTA members with the ultimate goal of retaining competent, qualified individuals: 
  • Ensure VISTA members’ workloads are adequate and aligned with their VADs, developing new projects or initiatives on an on-going basis; 
    • Conduct Quarterly Check-In's with all VISTA members; 
    • Utilize AmeriCorps resources and training opportunities to increase the efficacy of SOS’s VISTA Program. 
  • Collaborate on bi-annual VISTA Progress and Financial Reports. 
• Collaborate with SOS’s Nutrition Programs Manager to oversee compliance with SOS’s federal nutrition program requirements, including the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Ensure all necessary data is being effectively collected and maintained 
  • Complete all applications, compliance reports, and administrative reviews in accordance with federal deadlines; 
  • Continuously pursue opportunities for new partnerships and program expansion independently and under the guidance of the Executive Director;  
  • Oversee all data collection required for claims reimbursement, grant compliance, program promotion, and general benchmarks. 
• Support the Nutrition Programs Manager to oversee the implementation of Nutrition and Agricultural Education initiatives in local schools and for the larger community. 
• Collaborate with the Executive Director on fundraising initiatives and event coordination, including SOS’s annual Casino Night Gala. 
• Represent SOS in interagency and donor relations in the community, including radio spots, regular interagency check-in meetings, local presentations, etc. 
• Communicate SOS’s initiatives strategically to a wide variety of audiences, in accordance with SOS’s Strategic Communications Plan; 
• Continually seek opportunities for collaboration with community partners. 
• Lead SOS’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to ensure the sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity of services and development initiatives. Make recommendations to SOS’s Executive Director on behalf of the committee as appropriate. 
• Seek opportunities for environmentally sustainable initiatives that coincide with SOS’s mission of food justice and sustainable food systems. 
• Regularly explore additional program opportunities to diversify revenue streams, meet funder obligations, and enhance program outputs. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3+ years of grant writing/management experience. Experience with federal grant compliance a plus. 
• 2+ years of managerial experience. 
• Familiarity with the AmeriCorps VISTA Program a plus. 
• A strong passion for the food justice mission and programs at SOS Foundation. 
• Exceptional time-management, multitasking, delegation, and budgeting skills.  
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite. 
• Experience with, or strong understanding of, federal nutrition program requirements a plus. 
• Spanish language skills a plus.