Grants Associate

Role: Grants Associate

Reports To: Executive Director

FLSA Status: Exempt, full‑time, in-person

Salary Range: $55,000–$65,000

Position Summary

The Grants Associate supports strategic grantmaking activities throughout the full grant lifecycle and ensures that each grant aligns with the Foundation’s priorities and delivers measurable impact. The Grants Associate works closely with senior leadership, partners, and internal teams to execute high‑impact funding opportunities, support grantees, and strengthen the Foundation’s operational rigor. This is a generalist role requiring intellectual curiosity, strong analytical capabilities, attention to detail, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Grantmaking Operations & Grantee Support

• Support the Executive Director and Grants Team in executing strategic grantmaking across all phases of the grant lifecycle, including pipeline development, relationship management, due diligence review, administrative processing, and ongoing grantee support.
• Assist with large‑scale, public‑facing funding opportunities such as challenge grants and RFPs, including drafting and proofing communications, assembling vendor quotes, sourcing external evaluators, identifying operating and strategic partners, communicating with applicants, and tracking deliverables.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and up‑to‑date records in the grants management system and other internal tracking tools.
• Coordinate site visits and meetings with applicants and grantees.
• Serve as a point of contact for applicants by providing guidance on application requirements, reporting timelines, and payment processes.
• Apply Lean, Kaizen, and continuous‑improvement principles to streamline workflows, reduce cycle time, and improve the effectiveness of grantmaking operations.

2. Coordination & Internal Operations Support

• Track workflows, deadlines, and priorities to support timely execution of program activities.
• Coordinate schedules, prepare agendas, draft materials, and document follow‑up actions for internal and external meetings.
• Support preparation for board and committee meetings, including compilation of materials and coordination of follow‑ups.
• Maintain organized digital and physical files related to program activities.
• Support the design and implementation of new internal workflows and systems as needed.

3. Special Projects & External Engagement

• Assist with cross‑Foundation initiatives, including conference presentations, convenings, and publications.
• Review relevant research, data, and best practices to support a strong understanding of program areas and effective strategic funding.
• Represent the McElhattan Foundation at external meetings and events with professionalism and clarity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong attention to detail with high organizational capacity.
• Demonstrated analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong collaborator with experience working across teams and sectors.
• Ability to represent the McElhattan Foundation with the highest degree of professionalism.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Strong comfort with Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience using Salesforce or similar grants‑management or CRM systems for tracking, reporting, and documentation.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Copilot and other AI‑enabled productivity tools.
• Experience managing digital files, data tracking, and internal documentation systems.
• Familiarity with Lean and Kaizen management principles preferred.

Personal Characteristics (Humble, Hungry, Smart)

• Intellectually curious: Learns new subject areas quickly and applies insights thoughtfully.
• Operationally disciplined: Highly organized, dependable, and detail‑oriented.
• Results‑focused: Prioritizes follow‑through, impact, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborative: Builds trust with colleagues, partners, and grantees.
• Professional steward: Represents the Foundation’s values and reputation with care and integrity.

Compensation & Benefits

The Foundation offers a generous benefits package and competitive compensation commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $55,000–$65,000.

About the McElhattan Foundation

The McElhattan Foundation is a Pittsburgh‑based, research‑driven grantmaking organization established in 2018 following the sale of Industrial Scientific Corporation. Approximately 40% of the Foundation’s grantmaking is dedicated to its flagship priority Ending Death on the Job. The Foundation’s remaining grantmaking advances three additional program areas: Economic Development in Knox & Franklin, Out‑of‑School‑Time Learning, and End‑of‑Life Planning and Care. Across all areas, the Foundation emphasizes research-driven grantmaking, measurable outcomes, and continuous improvement to ensure its capital drives real‑world impact.

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person