Open Road Fund Grant Manager

Company: Nexus Community Partners
Location: Saint Paul
Posted on: February 15, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Organization Overview Nexus Community Partners is a community-building intermediary whose mission is to build more engaged and powerful communities of color by supporting community-building initiatives and foster social and human capital. Nexus addresses the deep isolation within communities of color and Indigenous communities caused by personal, institutional and structural racism by promoting an equity centered engagement model; supporting the development of leaders; democratizing wealth; and by reclaiming culture as an asset. Position Summary This position is responsible for managing and strengthen the giftmaking program for the Open Road Fund (ORF) program. This position is responsible for managing the gift application process for awardees, tracking and analyzing data, and obtaining and maintaining reports required from awardees. This position will also be responsible for supervising and overseeing the work of the grant associate staff. The Open Road Fund Grant Manager works closely with the ORF Staff and the ORF Advisory council, to implement, modify, and manage the ORFs giftmaking strategies and activities by Overseeing and collaborating on giftmaking goals, plans, and assisting in evaluation reporting. Managing and supervising grant administrative staff, consultants and vendors Leading day to day gift administration activities: including outreach and community engagement and organizational goals related to ORF. Position Functions & Responsibilities Management & Supervision (40%) Supervise and support the ORF gift making process and administrative staff and/or consultants, fostering clear communication, shared accountability, and professional growth aligned with ORF values. Collaborate with ORF leadership, advisory council members, and cross-functional partners to implement, refine, and strengthen existing ORF giftmaking goals, plans, and workflows in alignment with ORF initiatives and organizational priorities (e.g., communications, learning, and evaluation). Support the continuous improvement of current administrative and operational systems related to ORF giftmaking, including reporting processes, databases, gift records, compliance documentation, and key calendars, with an emphasis on efficiency, clarity, and sustainability. Share updates, insights, and recommendations related to giftmaking strategies and operations with staff and ORF Advisory council members, and Nexus Board to support informed decision-making. Provide timely updates on progress toward giftmaking goals, identifying opportunities to improve effectiveness, address challenges, and adjust processes as needed. Identify, engage, and manage consultants or external partners, as appropriate, to support ORF priorities and strengthen existing giftmaking and organizational processes. Gift Administration (40%) Supervise and support gift administration functions to ensure the giftmaking experience for recipients is efficient, well-coordinated, and grounded in dignity and respect. Work closely with gift recipients and ORF staff to implement and improve giftmaking processes, centering clarity, responsiveness, and accessibility. Oversee gift compliance, reporting, and stewardship efforts, including outcome tracking and budget monitoring, while maintaining high standards of accuracy, timeliness, and completeness. This includes: o Monitor progress toward programmatic and organizational outcomes and goals associated with gifts. o Coordinate reimbursements, drawdowns, or disbursements, as applicable. o Review and support the preparation of progress reports and targeted updates for funders, and other stakeholders that reflect program impact and learning. Ensure all required supporting materialssuch as budget summaries, outcome data, and success storiesare organized, accurate, and submitted on schedule to funders, advisory council members, and community stakeholders. Oversee the drafting, editing, and submission of data and reports, as needed, to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with program expectations. Review and support the preparation and distribution of communications related to gifts and contributions. Ensure timely and thoughtful communication of relevant updates or changes to gift recipients, staff, and funders. Stay informed about evolving practices in giftmaking, philanthropy, and community-centered funding and apply learnings to strengthen existing approaches. Ensure gift recipients and funding information remains accurate, current, and well-maintained within Nexuss systems and databases. Support the use of data, research, and community-informed insights to strengthen giftmaking operations, reporting, and decision-making. Outreach & Engagement (15%) Co-facilitate the ORF Advisory Council to support shared understanding and alignment around ORF shared values principles and practices, goals, and strategies. Cultivate and sustain relationships within Black communities through focus groups, meetings, and participation in community events, convenings, and special gatherings. Coordinate and participate in funder, donor, and gift recipient site visits, including preparing relevant program staff and materials to ensure visits are thoughtful, informative, and aligned with ORF values. Plan, coordinate, and host engaging fundraising and giftmaking-related opportunities and events, in partnership with staff and event planning consultants, to deepen relationships and support ORF priorities. Organizational Leadership Provide collaborative support across the organization on shared initiatives, including evaluation, learning, and communications projects (e.g., Nexus-related work), as needed. Represent Open Road Fund (ORF) by presenting at board meetings, Black Staff Assembly, and all-staff gatherings, as appropriate. Demonstrate Open Road Fund (ORF)s core valuescommitment to learning, valuing culture, partnership, and reflective practicein day-to- day work, leadership, and cross-organizational collaboration. Physical Demands Able to work on a computer, including sitting at a desk, for extended periods of time with or without reasonable accommodation Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard Able to see or read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids Able to speak clearly and in audible tones on the phone and in-person and be understood by others Able to hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone Able to understand and follow oral and written instructions Able to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 10 pounds Please apply directly through the application link provided on our website . While this job may appear on external job boards, only applications submitted through our official system will be reviewed. Qualifications 3 years of experience in development, grant management, community work, nonprofit operations, or a related field. 1 year of supervisory experience , including coordinating or guiding the work of others. Strong oral and written communication skills , including business and technical writing and experience presenting and facilitating small and large group meetings. Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated commitment to racial, social, and economic equity , including empathy, conflict resolution, and the ability to build trust with diverse partners, particularly in support of Black communities. Professional and/or lived experience in service-based work centered on Black communications, especially with individuals descended from enslaved Africans. Knowledge of the philanthropic sector and current trends, and knowledge of Black community wealth-building, history, and culture. Strong project management skills , including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and respond positively to changing demands. Proficient computer skills , including Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, Form Assembly, MailChimp, Zoom, Asana, and other comparable platforms. Experience or training in one or more of the following: Salesforce administration, public speaking and presentations, social media content creation, Adobe Creative Cloud or similar design tools, and/or community organizing, community development, youth work, education, or social work. Ability to travel within the grantmaking region (MN, ND, SD). Fluency in Haitian Kreyol or Spanish is a plus. Compensation & Benefits Nexus offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience and a highly participatory, mutually supportive workplace. We are committed to the personal and professional growth of all staff. Nexus provides a comprehensive benefits package for full time staff that includes: Medical health insurance with two plan options that Nexus pays 80-90% of the coverage for the entire family Dental and Vision insurance that Nexus pays 90% of the coverage for the entire family Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care options Health Savings Account (HSA) option for those enrolled in the High-Deductible Health Plan option with employer matching Life and Disability Insurance paid by Nexus Retirement plans with employer matching 4-day work week (32 hours/week) 6.6 weeks of annual paid time off (PTO) plus 4.5 weeks of paid holidays and paid weeklong closures Professional development funds $600 wellness stipend each year $600 annual cell phone reimbursement $600 Remote Office Allowance for new hires, plus a reduced annual stipend for ongoing home office equipment needs All-staff wellness events provided by Nexus Deadline to apply is Tuesday, February 17, 2026 and the desired start date is Wednesday, April 1, 2026 Please include your resume and cover letter, which should include your motivation for working at Nexus in the Open Road Fund and how your experience makes you a strong fit for the Grant Manager position. Cover letters are required to be under consideration NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE NEXUS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA, and individuals with visible and invisible disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any questions regarding this posting, please email Human Resources at HROC@nexuscp.org Flexible work from home options available.

Keywords: Nexus Community Partners, Edina , Open Road Fund Grant Manager, Accounting, Auditing , Saint Paul, Minnesota