St. Paul, MN

The Organization
The Northwest Area Foundation was founded in 1934 by Louis W. Hill. Our service region covers the eight states from Minnesota to Washington once served by the Great Northern Railway and the 75 Native Nations included there. Today the Foundation makes grants to support nonprofit organizations working to reduce poverty and achieve prosperity.

Position Overview

Duties and Responsibilities

• Create all grant and consulting agreements; review all paperwork for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with IRS and other regulations.
• Conduct due diligence activities and review completed Program grant documents for compliance with NWAF policies.
• Review proposal details with Program staff, providing Grants & Contracts perspective and resulting in clear and compliant grant agreements.
• Collaborate with legal counsel as needed to ensure documents comply with Foundation guidelines and IRS requirements.
• Serve as the owner of the Foundation’s contract management system.
  • Responsibilities include: understanding the key functions/features of the system, ensuring users are properly trained, leading system adoption and compliance, and maintaining system relevancy.
  • Maintain the data integrity of the grant making system.
  • Actively participate in the implementation and enhancement of a new grant making system.
  • Enter payment requirements and grant tracking codes; schedule payments.
  • Prepare expected payment reports; participate in cash projection meetings.
  • Communicate with grantees regarding grant award, agreement, and other topics as needed.
  • Review and edit agreements for consultants and contractors engaging with the Foundation.
• Lead problem solving discussions in agreement creation and processes through a thorough understanding of the situation and the development of creative solutions that take into consideration the needs of all participants.
• Maintain a continuous process improvement environment while developing efficient procedures in a team environment.
• Process employee matching grants; manage the employee discretionary grant program.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• BA/BS degree and a minimum of seven years of experience in grants and contracts management or similar, preferably in a large, private foundation setting or equivalent.
• An understanding of grant making legal concepts, particularly as they apply to the creation of grant and contract agreements, advocacy and lobbying restrictions, and the conditionality of grants.
• Excellent grant database expertise and a high level of competency with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. Experience with MicroEdge Gifts preferred.
• Experience with project management, specifically grants management system implementation, preferred.
• Skillful and respectful communicator who operates in a consistent, open, and honest manner.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• Strong problem solving skills including the ability to set clear objectives and identify and understand issues thoroughly.
• Strong collaboration skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse individuals, groups, and communities.
• Able to work effectively both as a team member and independently. The Foundation can consider the possibility of relocation assistance for out-of-state candidates.