Grant Manager

We are seeking a development professional to drive our institutional giving program and successfully advance our mission. Someone who has a personal passion for the stewardship, conservation, and enjoyment of parks and watersheds. You’ll grow and manage a portfolio of foundation, corporate, and government partners who share our vision of healthy, accessible Rock Creek parks in Washington, DC and Montgomery County, MD. You’ll tell powerful stories, craft winning proposals, and spark relationships that translate into transformational support. You will connect your skills in fundraising, writing, and relationship-building to a mission that matters and help take our development efforts to the next level. 

What you’ll do

As Grants Manager, you’ll be the strategic driver behind our institutional giving program. Specifically, you will:

• Own the grants cycle — from prospect research to proposals, submissions, and reporting — making sure deadlines are met and funder relationships are nurtured.
• Track and ensure we are compliant with all grant award requirements, for a range of grants from private to state to federal entities.
• Lead strategy for growth, designing and executing plans that align funder interests with our $2.5M and growing annual budget.
• Grow a portfolio of institutional partners, cultivating renewals, upgrades, and new supporters, including five- and six-figure gifts.
• Collaborate across the Conservancy — working with program leads, communications, finance, and executive leadership to shape compelling proposals and accurate budgets.
• Track and share progress through clear reporting, revenue forecasting, and donor stewardship activities

What you bring

• A collaborative, solution-oriented mindset with a passion for parks and public lands, community engagement, and conservation.
• Progressive experience in fundraising and development – you have demonstrated proven success in grant writing, donor stewardship, and portfolio management.
• Strong writing and storytelling skills — you know how to turn data and mission into compelling cases for support.
• Strong communication skills, both internally and externally.
• Relationship-building talent — you’re energized by meeting new people, listening well, and connecting their interests to impact.
• Organizational and project-management chops — you can juggle multiple deadlines while keeping your eye on long-term goals.
• Comfort with Microsoft Office suite, Google Suite, prospecting tools (Cause IQ or similar) and CRMs (EveryAction or similar).

What you’ll love about working here

• Impact you can see. Your work will help restore forests, protect wildlife, improve water quality, and expand access to nature for all.
• Community and collaboration. You’ll work with a dynamic, mission-driven team — and thousands of volunteers and partners — who share your passion.
• Growth opportunities. You’ll take on responsibility, stretch your skills, and see the tangible results of your ideas.
• Flexibility. Hybrid schedule, competitive leave, and a culture that values balance and wellbeing.
• Belonging. We are committed to equity, inclusion, and amplifying the voices of the diverse communities throughout the watershed we help conserve.

The details

• Team: 15-20 staff who live in the DMV
• Reports to: Senior Director of Development and Communications
• Location: Hybrid. ~2 days/week in Bethesda, MD office. Periodic travel within the Rock Creek watershed of Washington, DC and Montgomery County, MD.
• Salary range: $67,000–$72,000 , commensurate with experience and skills, plus benefits (including health, dental, vision insurance; 401k with employer contribution; 12 annual holidays + accrued paid and sick leave).
• Schedule: Full-time, occasional evenings/weekends for events.