Foundation for America’s Public Lands

Grants Administrator

Job Description

About the Position

We are seeking a meticulous and experienced Grants Administrator to manage and oversee our portfolio of funding awards, including federal sub-awards, private grants, and sponsorships. As a crucial member of our finance team, you will lead the entire grant award lifecycle—including invitations, proposal review and selection, award execution, compliance documentation, budget tracking, disbursements, and monitoring reporting. Under the VP of Finance and Operations’ supervision, you will also serve as a liaison between the Finance and Program departments, ensuring seamless coordination and communication.

How to Recommend or Apply

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume or CV outlining your qualifications and interest in the Foundation for America’s Public Lands using the link below.

Further inquiries may be sent to: FAPL-Jobs@cause-capacity.com.

What You’ll Do:
As the Grants Administrator, you will manage and oversee the complete lifecycle of grants and sub-awards, ensuring seamless execution and compliance across all funding streams. This role is pivotal to building and scaling the grant management function to support our rapid growth. Key responsibilities include:

  • Adapt to a Growing Organization: As a rapidly growing startup with evolving processes, this position requires flexibility to scale alongside the organization.
  • Grant Lifecycle Management: Develop and maintain systems for managing the entire award process to support a $5M+ program, from proposal review and selection to disbursement and reporting. Serve as the primary point of contact for grantees, ensuring a seamless experience.
  • Compliance Assurance: Ensure adherence to federal grant regulations, including compliance with 2 CFR 200 standards, and maintain audit-ready documentation for all awards and sub-awards.
  • Financial Oversight: Monitor budgets, expenses, and financial reports for grants to ensure allowable costs and accurate reconciliations.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with internal teams, including Programs, Finance, and Development to support reporting requirements, develop systems, and manage grant-related processes effectively.
  • Process Improvement: Design and refine scalable grant management systems to support the organization’s rapid growth and evolving needs.
  • Other Tasks as Needed: Assist with basic accounting and operations tasks, such as reviewing expense reimbursements for compliance with federal regulations, tracking grant receivables, preparing schedules and information for the annual single audit, and communicating with third-party stakeholders, including vendors and state and government agencies.

What Success Looks Like
Your first year as a Grants Administrator will focus on building foundational processes and achieving operational excellence. Success in this role means:

  • Immediate Impact: Establishing a scalable grant management system to ensure 100% compliance with federal and organizational standards.
  • Operational Excellence: Maintaining accurate, up-to-date records in the grants database, enabling timely reporting and disbursement.
  • Strong Relationships: Building trust and collaboration with grantees, internal teams, and external stakeholders to streamline processes and communication.
  • Growth Preparedness: Developing systems capable of supporting the organization’s anticipated growth from $5M+ in annual grants.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes:

What You’ll Bring:

We’re looking for a detail-oriented professional with the expertise and drive to build impactful grant processes. The ideal candidate will have:

  • Experience and Expertise: 3–5 years in nonprofit grant administration, ideally a $5M+ program that includes managing federal sub-awards, cooperative agreements, and compliance with 2 CFR 200 regulations. Familiarity with Salesforce or other grant management platforms is a plus.
  • Financial Acumen: Proven ability to manage budgets, monitor spending, and ensure compliance with funding guidelines. A strong understanding of finance, accounting, and bookkeeping principles is preferred.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: A proactive, innovative approach to overcoming challenges, especially in unstructured or startup-like environments.
  • Collaboration and Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills to build trust with team members, stakeholders, and grant recipients. Strong written and verbal communication for technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Mission-Driven Mindset: A passion for supporting public land sustainability and a dedication to upholding the Foundation’s values of respect, trust, and collaboration.
  • Ability to Travel: Up to 20% based on needs of the organization.

Why Join Us?

The Foundation for America’s Public Lands offers an unparalleled opportunity to be part of a pioneering team dedicated to preserving and enhancing America’s public lands and waters. You’ll be stepping into a role where you can truly make a difference, setting the direction for a foundation that will leave a lasting legacy. If you’re ready to build something groundbreaking and leave your mark on conservation, we’d love to hear from you!

Compensation

Compensation: $65,000 to $85,000 annually

Benefits: Group medical/vision/dental benefits with 100% employer contribution for employees and 75% contribution for dependents; life insurance; 401k retirement savings plan; and generous holiday and paid time off policies.

Location

Location: Washington, D.C

About the Foundation

Foundation for America's public lands

The Foundation for America’s Public Lands is a pioneering startup on a mission to support the sustainability of our public lands and waters. Chartered by Congress, we are the official charitable partner of the Bureau of Land Management, with a pivotal mission: to connect us to our public lands and waters and sustain these special places for the benefit of present and future generations.

Standing on the cusp of an exciting chapter, we are set to become a cornerstone institution, working in close partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and a strong network of local to national stakeholders who share our vision. Our work is ambitious, impactful, and essential – and we are building the inaugural team who will be critical to shaping the Foundation’s future. With co-headquarters in Grand Junction, CO, and Washington, DC, the Foundation is poised for growth and to have a substantial impact on the future of our nation’s public lands and waters. Discover more about our mission and how you can contribute to this groundbreaking journey at www.americaslands.org.

On May 5, 2017, Congress authorized the creation of  the Foundation for America’s Public Lands (Foundation) to address the following overarching goals:

  • To encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of money, real and personal property; and in-kind services for the benefit of, or in connection with the activities and services of, the Bureau of Land Management.
  • To conduct activities, campaigns, and programs that advance the purposes for which public land is managed.
  • To carry out and encourage educational, technical, scientific, and other assistance or activities that support the mission of the BLM.
  • To assist BLM with challenges that could be better addressed with the support of a foundation, including reclamation and conservation activities, activities relating to wild free roaming horses and burros, and the stewardship of cultural and archaeological treasures on public land.

The Foundation is the official charitable partner of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and works together with the BLM to support its mission. The Foundation is at a critical juncture as they build its leadership, craft strategic priorities, and design programming priority campaigns. Together with BLM, the Foundation can inspire people to care for our lands and build greater awareness and affinity for public lands.

The Foundation for America’s Public Lands is an equal opportunity employer. The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.