Grants Manager

NACDL seeks a Grants Manager to oversee a portfolio of approximately 15–25 active grants and other restricted funding sources. You will coordinate grant administration across the organization, monitor deadlines and requirements, and help project leads respond to budget trends.

Working with Finance and senior leadership you will track commitments to funders and support timely, accurate reporting. You will also identify funding opportunities and collaborate with subject matter experts to develop proposals that advance NACDL’s work.

Hybrid schedule of 2 days per week in the office preferred; remote candidates may be considered.

Reports to: Executive Director

Salary: $75,000-$85,000

About NACDL

The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) advances the mission of the criminal defense bar to ensure justice and due process for people accused of crime or wrongdoing. Founded in 1958, NACDL works alongside diverse coalitions to address systemic racism and other inequities in the criminal legal system and equip defense lawyers to serve all accused persons at the highest level.

NACDL’s work is supported by the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice (NFCJ), its affiliated 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, which promotes constitutional rights through public and legal education. Much of the grant funding this position will administer is received through NFCJ. The Grants Manager is employed by NACDL and works with staff across the organization to support grant-funded programs and initiatives.

What You’ll Do

Manage grant information and deadlines

• Maintain a master calendar of proposal deadlines, funder reports, and other grant deliverables.
• Maintain complete grant records, including award amounts, terms, restrictions, reporting requirements, and other essential grant information.
• Review award letters and agreements, and brief project leads on grant requirements and commitments.

Monitor grant budgets and deliverables

• Review monthly grant financial reports with Finance and advise project leads on budget trends and any needed follow-up.
• Coordinate with project leads to track deliverables and prepare timely, accurate funder reports.
• Follow up on outstanding commitments and bring unresolved issues to the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer.

Coordinate grant administration and compliance

• Coordinate with the accounts receivable team to support accurate recording and allocation of grant revenue.
• Monitor grant activity against each funder’s requirements and coordinate follow-up on compliance questions.
• Document funder requirements and flag potential issues early to project leads, leadership, and Finance.
• Coordinate with Finance on grant compliance. The CFO has primary responsibility for federal grant financial compliance and reporting.

Find and pursue funding

• Research funding opportunities that align with NACDL’s programs and share them with relevant staff.
• Maintain a funding pipeline and track upcoming opportunities.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, Finance, and leadership to develop letters of inquiry, proposals, and budgets, drafting and editing content as needed.
• Participate in funder meetings and present NACDL’s work to prospective funders as appropriate.

Support budgeting and planning

• Project grant revenue and anticipated use of grant funds as part of the annual operating budget, including support for salaries, benefits, and overhead.
• Provide regular updates to leadership on the grant portfolio, funding pipeline, and anticipated revenue.

What You’ll Bring

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 4 years of relevant experience, including managing an active portfolio of grants or other restricted funding and working with private foundations.
• Experience interpreting grant agreements and tracking restrictions, budgets, deliverables, and reporting requirements.
• Comfort working with budgets and financial reports and advising colleagues on their implications.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Excellent organization and attention to detail across multiple awards and deadlines.
• Ability to coordinate work across the organization, follow up on commitments, and escalate concerns without direct supervisory authority.

Preferred

• Experience with Salesforce or another CRM and an accounting system such as Intacct.
• Experience with fund accounting, restricted funds, and indirect cost rates.
• Experience with federal grants is welcome but not required.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary

$75,000-$85,000

Benefits

NACDL employees enjoy a generous package of employee benefits, including subsidized health, dental and vision insurance, company-paid life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a pre-tax commuting subsidy, a 401(k) plan with generous company contributions, paid time off and paid holidays.

To Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter to dblake@nacdl.org by November 16, 2026. Please address the following in your cover letter:

1. Describe your experience managing a portfolio of foundation grants or other restricted funding, including the approximate number of awards you handled.
2. Describe a time you identified a grant budget trend that needed attention. How did you work with program and finance colleagues to address it?
3. What tools, including spreadsheets, have you used to track grants and budgets?

NACDL is an equal opportunity employer. NACDL is committed to engaging a diverse workforce and provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation or political affiliation or any other protected classification which may be applicable under the law. All qualified individuals, including those with personal experience within the criminal legal system, are welcomed and encouraged to apply.