Grantmaking Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Grantmaking Manager provides strategic management, operational oversight, and day-to-day execution of the Center for Craft’s grantmaking portfolio. This role requires the skill set of a seasoned project manager—someone who can coordinate complex, multi-phase initiatives with precision, clarity, and accountability across timelines, stakeholders, budgets, and reporting structures. Responsible for shaping, maintaining, and continuously improving the systems that support grantmaking operations, the Grantmaking Manager ensures that funding initiatives are implemented rigorously, efficiently, and with measurable impact.

Working collaboratively with Program Directors and cross-organizational staff, the Grantmaking Manager helps evaluate program effectiveness, identify operational improvements, and refine grantmaking practices over time to strengthen outcomes, responsiveness, and organizational learning. The position demands exceptional organizational leadership, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while advancing a thoughtful, equitable, compliant, and mission-driven grantmaking practice.

With a particular focus on complex awards of $100,000 and below, the Grantmaking Manager ensures strong stewardship of philanthropic resources while advancing the Center’s long-term mission. This position oversees the full lifecycle of grantmaking at the Center for Craft — from program launch and selection processes to risk assessment, reporting, and evaluation.

This role is ideal for a highly organized and systems-oriented leader who can think strategically about funding structures and institutional priorities. While not required to be a content specialist in craft, the Grantmaking Manager must be able to translate program goals into effective grant frameworks, guide process improvement through evaluation and collaboration, and consistently and precisely manage complex systems. Reporting to the Director of Culture & Business Affairs, the Grantmaking Manager plays a key role in the organization’s administrative operations and long-term institutional capacity.

Compensation: This position is full-time and exempt, with a time limited term (24 months), occasional evenings/weekends, and reports to the Director of Culture & Business Affairs. The starting salary is $60,000, with full benefits including Medical/Dental, Life Insurance, LTD and STD, and 401k, as well as three weeks of paid leave and recognized federal holidays. This position requires onsite work. Relocation assistance is not available.

Deadline: The application deadline for this position is June 1, 2026.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Grants Management (40%)

The Manager will project manage the structure, oversight, and compliance of all grantmaking initiatives, including large-scale and complex grant awards:

• Develop clear timelines, milestones, and documentation processes
• Maintain consistent administrative processes for outgoing grants, including standardized timelines, documentation, and approval workflows
• Work closely with Program Directors to ensure consistency and defensibility in review, selection, and award practices
• Prepare and execute grant agreements, payment schedules, monitoring, and closeout
  
  • Facilitate clear and consistent communication with grantees regarding administrative expectations and timelines
  • Track grant disbursements and ensure accurate coding, reconciliation, and coordination with finance
  • Monitor compliance with grant terms, expenditure restrictions, and organizational policies
  • Maintain centralized grant files and databases to ensure continuity, transparency, and audit readiness

Systems, Compliance, & Reporting (30%)

The Manager will build and maintain strong grant management systems and procedures in compliance with legal and tax-related regulations:

• Ensure compliance with IRS regulations, audit standards, and philanthropic best practices; Support preparation of tax-related documentation (e.g., ensuring appropriate classification, expenditure responsibility, and records needed for IRS reporting such as Form 990 / Schedule I)
• Coordinate reporting to donors, foundations, and internal stakeholders
• Support the preparation of financial documentation and external reviews
• Ensure understanding of regulatory requirements for charitable distributions, including due diligence and documentation standards
• Provide regular administrative reporting on grant activity, deadlines, and outstanding requirements to Program Director(s), Senior Director of Programs and Curator, and the Executive Director
• Manage and moderate the Center’s alumni-focused digital platform (Mighty Networks Path-to-Pro).

Cross-Organizational Collaboration (30%)

The Manager  will contribute to the Center’s culture of philanthropy, accountability, and transparency by working closely with the Programs, Development, and Operations Teams:

• Partner with the Program Team to align grantmaking with implementation realities, provide administrative support to the Programs Team, including maintaining team meeting agendas, processing invoices, and other duties as needed
• Coordinate collection and review of grantee reports and required deliverables
• Work with the Development Team to inform fundraising strategy and donor stewardship
• Work with the Marketing Team and Program Directors to coordinate the collection of marketing materials
• Coordinate with Finance and Operations on disbursement schedules and budget alignment
• Maintain the organization’s Contract Log
• Work closely with the Grants Writer and Program Directors to creatively and strategically measure and evaluate grant programs and alumni engagement, providing regular reports on learnings
• Other duties as assigned 

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration with 3+ years of grantmaking experience, or equivalent training and experience in a related field. They possess strong technical grant management expertise and organizational skills—equally comfortable with administrative systems and people. A working knowledge of the arts and craft fields and U.S. craft/art history is preferred but not required.

The following skills, qualities and experiences are also a priority:

• Experience in developing mulit-year grantmaking strategies in alignment with organizational goals
• Proven aptitude for building and maintaining rigorous grantmaking systems and standardized workflows to oversee the full lifecycle of multiple grant programs
• Expertise in IRS regulations, audit standards, and philanthropic best practices
• Strong financial oversight and ability to manage multiple budgets simultaneously
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills with the intent to develop and maintain positive relationships
• Proficient in job-related software, including Slideroom, Little Green Light, Adobe Sign, Google Suite, Zoom, and Canva, willingness to learn new systems as needed

The Center for Craft is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against any individual or group based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The Center encourages applications from candidates who can complement the Center for Craft's Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion work by offering unique perspectives and understanding of issues impacting groups traditionally underrepresented in the field. Applying does not constitute a promise or guarantee of employment.

SCHEDULE AND REQUIREMENTS

This is a full-time 37.5 hr/week position with a regular schedule of Monday-Friday. Weekend, evening, and holiday work may be required.  

TO APPLY

Please send the application form, cover letter, and resume to Lisette Gallaher, Director of Culture & Business Affairs, at lgallaher@centerforcraft.org.  No phone calls, please.

Offer of employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check.

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR CRAFT

The Center for Craft catalyzes the people and practices shaping the future of making. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, it has awarded more than $8 million in grants and fellowships to craft artists, researchers, and organizations across the United States. The Center offers free public galleries that explore craft’s evolving impact on culture. In 2028, it will open the Center for Craft Community Library and Archives, combining holdings from the American Craft Council with its existing collections to create the nation’s leading resource on American craft. For more information, follow the Center at centerforcraft.org, and on Facebook and Instagram.