Manager of Grants and Community Partnerships

Brookline Community Foundation

Job Description

Location: Brookline, MA, with remote flexibility
Employment Type: ¾-time to full-time, depending on candidate and organizational needs
Start Date: Fall 2026
Reports to: Executive Director

To Apply
Please apply by sending your resume and an optional cover letter to phess@brooklinecommunity.org with the subject line "Manager Grants and Community Partnerships."

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. We will begin reviewing applications and conducting interviews as applications are received, so we strongly encourage interested candidates to apply early.

About the Brookline Community Foundation
The Brookline Community Foundation (BCF) is a public charity dedicated to advancing opportunity and promoting equity through the transformative power of giving. By building philanthropic partnerships, supporting nonprofits and community efforts through grantmaking, and conducting research that informs a shared community agenda, BCF is helping build a better Brookline for all who live, learn, work, and play in our community.

The Role
Manager of Grants & Community Partnerships will help BCF build relationships throughout Brookline and support the Foundation's grantmaking, community engagement, and capacity-building work.

This is a hands-on position that will manage projects, coordinate community conversations and events, work directly with grant applicants and grantees, and support the development of BCF's new Community Advisory Council.

The Manager will work closely with the Executive Director, BCF staff, members of the Program & Grants Committee (Board Committee), community partners, grant applicants, and grantees. The right person will be comfortable managing details while also understanding the bigger picture and helping move projects forward.

Responsibilities

Community Engagement & Partnerships
  • Manage the coordination of BCF's community engagement initiatives, including tracking activities, timelines, participation, goals, and outcomes.
  • Plan and coordinate community engagement opportunities, including listening sessions, focus groups, informational sessions, and community conversations.
  • Build relationships with community partners and serve as a welcoming and responsive point of contact for participants.
  • Take notes at engagement sessions and organize community input, themes, and feedback to help inform BCF's work.
  • Support planning, promotion, and day-of coordination for community events and conversations, including Executive Director Roundtables and BCF grant information sessions.
  • Help develop reports and other materials that communicate what BCF is hearing from the community.
  • Work with the Executive Director to identify opportunities to strengthen BCF's relationships with community organizations, residents, and other local partners.

Grantmaking & Capacity Building
  • Serve as a main point of contact for BCF grant applicants and grantees.
  • Provide technical assistance and other support to grant applicants and nonprofit partners.
  • Provide administrative and project management support throughout the grant review and award process.
  • Coordinate partnership calls and follow-up with grant applicants and grantees.
  • Support BCF's technical assistance efforts, including scheduling and promoting sessions, tracking participation, communicating with participants, and collecting feedback.
  • Work with the Executive Director and BCF team to identify trends, needs, and opportunities that can inform BCF's grantmaking and other strategic initiatives.
  • Support grant-related data entry and information management within BCF's grant management system.
  • Help identify opportunities for BCF to strengthen relationships among grantees and other community organizations.

Program & Grants Committee Support
  • Prepare materials and provide administrative support for meetings of BCF's Program & Grants Committee.
  • Take notes and minutes and track follow-up items and decisions.
  • Help ensure that committee members have the information they need to participate effectively in BCF's grantmaking work.
  • Coordinate follow-up with committee members and staff on assigned projects and action items.

General Support
  • Serve as a point of contact for general questions and inquiries related to BCF's programs and partnerships.
  • Support other community engagement, grantmaking, and organizational projects as needed.
  • Help develop systems and processes that make recurring program and partnership work more efficient and effective.
  • Contribute to BCF's communications by helping develop stories, social media content, and other materials that highlight the Foundation's community impact.
  • Assist with special projects and initiatives identified by the Executive Director.

Who You Are
You are organized, curious, and collaborative. You enjoy working with people, keeping projects moving, and figuring out how to get things done. You may have experience in community engagement, grassroots organizing, project management, nonprofit work, or a related field.

You:
  • Have 2–3 years of relevant experience, either through professional work, volunteer leadership, or a combination of the two.
  • Care about the role that community foundations can play in strengthening communities.
  • Have a strong commitment to racial, economic, and social justice and equity.
  • Understand the importance of engaging communities with humility and respect, particularly communities whose voices have historically been underrepresented in decision-making.
  • Are an excellent relationship builder who can establish trust with people from diverse backgrounds and with different perspectives.
  • Are highly organized and able to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders at the same time.
  • Are comfortable taking a project from an initial idea through planning, implementation, follow-up, and evaluation.
  • Communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
  • Are comfortable managing logistics and details while keeping sight of the larger purpose of a project.
  • Demonstrate good judgment, flexibility, and emotional intelligence.
  • Are comfortable working with staff at all levels, as well as board members, nonprofit leaders, community partners, and other stakeholders.
  • Have strong attention to detail and are willing to develop systems that address recurring needs and challenges.
  • Are comfortable taking meeting notes and producing clear, useful summaries and follow-up materials.
  • Understand the importance of confidentiality, discretion, and responsible handling of sensitive information.
  • Experience with grants management software (particularly GLM and C-Suite), database management, and word processing is a plus.

Salary & Benefits
The full-time equivalent salary range for this position is Mid $60’s to low $70’s, with the actual salary and schedule determined based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and agreed-upon employment level.

BCF offers excellent benefits, including employer-sponsored health and dental insurance, generous paid time off, a 403(b) match after 90 days, and a flexible work schedule.

Schedule & Work Location
This position is based in Brookline, Massachusetts, with flexibility to work remotely. The position is expected to be ¾-time to full-time, depending on the candidate and organizational needs.

Because this role involves community meetings, events, and engagement activities, some flexibility to attend occasional meetings or events outside of traditional business hours will be expected.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The Brookline Community Foundation encourages applications from all qualified candidates without regard to race, creed, color, religion or belief, gender identity, sex, age, sexual orientation, national, social or ethnic origin, disability, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status, genetic or family history, or any other characteristic or status protected by law.