Vice President of Grantmaking & Partnerships

The Alliance for Youth Action (along with our sister 501(c)(3) organization, the Alliance for Youth Organizing) is searching for a Vice President of Grantmaking & Partnerships. 

The Vice President of Grantmaking & Partnerships is a strategic leader responsible for advancing the organization’s grantmaking initiatives and fostering critical partnerships to strengthen and expand the Alliance’s impact. This role involves guiding state-based infrastructure gatherings, uplifting network organizations, and cultivating relationships with national partners and funders. The VP will also play a pivotal role in shaping organizational strategy, identifying capacity-building opportunities, and ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and racial equity commitments. This role reports to the Executive Director, and will directly manage the Grantmaking and Strategic Partnerships Senior Manager.

About the Alliance for Youth Action

The Alliance convenes, supports, and scales a national network of youth-led, locally rooted organizations growing civic engagement and social justice coast to coast. We truly are a multiracial network “of young people, by young people, for all people.” Our Affiliates and Partners run massive voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, train new young leaders, and run powerful campaigns to win on the progressive issues our generation cares about most. Our national team empowers this work by tracking down national resources for the network, building capacity for local groups, seeding new efforts, and coordinating national issue campaigns. 

Job Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of this position include:

Grantmaking & Strategic Leadership (30%)

  • Lead and refine grantmaking processes, including guidance on applications, review, and impact measurement.
  • Provide strategic guidance to ensure grantmaking aligns with organizational goals and network priorities.
  • Collaborate with the Executive & Capacity Building Department to successfully onboard new organizations into the network.
  • Lead on the expansion of the Alliance’s network of state-based youth organizations based on priorities from the Executive Director.

Partnerships & Donor Engagement (25%) 

  • Develop and sustain relationships with donors, stakeholders, and funding partners.
  • Communicate the Alliance’s vision and goals to current and prospective funders and grantees.
  • Actively identify new funding partners and expand community engagement efforts.
  • Represent the organization in donor briefings, intermediary meetings, and other funding spaces.
  • Map the national youth landscape to identify alignment with network priorities and foster collaboration.

Infrastructure Building & Capacity Development (25%) 

  • Lead state donor table efforts, partner briefings, and funding intermediary meetings, providing updates to the Executive Director.
  • Identify and address critical gaps in youth organizing ecosystems, rebuilding lost infrastructure.
  • Actively uplift network organizations to national partners, encouraging collaboration and resourcing.

Strategic Guidance & Organizational Leadership (20%)

  • Provide expert-level strategic guidance to departments and teams.
  • Develop and oversee departmental vision, strategy, budgets, and metrics, ensuring alignment with the broader mission.
  • Play a key role in organizational strategy development and execution.
  • Assess and inform leadership on critical organizational issues.
  • Lead and supervise direct reports, fostering an environment of creativity and innovation.
  • Provide staff development, regular feedback, and performance evaluations to maximize team potential.
  • Ensure team alignment with organizational standards, goals, and values.
  • Participate in the organization-wide budgeting process.
  • Make financial decisions with long-term implications for the organization.

Key Qualifications & Experience

We’re looking for candidates with particular strengths in the following areas:

  • Extensive knowledge of the grant lifecycle, from application and disbursement to evaluation and reporting.
  • Strong track record in cultivating and maintaining relationships with high-level donors, foundations, and philanthropic networks.
  • Proficiency in grant management systems and data-driven decision-making.
  • Ability to analyze complex data and provide actionable insights to drive strategy.
  • Expertise in financial and legal compliance for grantmaking, including familiarity with 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) frameworks.
  • Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders.
  • Deep commitment to social justice and racial equity, with a history of advancing these principles in professional settings.
  • A personal understanding and demonstrated commitment to social justice and equity, and a desire to uplift the leadership of BIPOC young people. 

Nice to Haves

  • Proven experience in high-level grantmaking, including managing significant portfolios and developing impactful strategies.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, with strong skills in mentorship and development.
  • Skills in project management, especially related to grants and funding initiatives.
  • Ability to think creatively and bring innovative solutions to enhance grant management processes.

Logistics

  • Compensation: $140,000 – $165,000 per year commensurate with experience.
  • Benefits: The Alliance offers a competitive benefits package covering 100% of employee medical, dental, & vision insurance premiums, 75% of premiums for employee dependents, employer retirement contributions (SEP IRA), life insurance, short and long-term disability income protection insurance, cell phone stipend, Wi-Fi stipend,  WMATA transportation smart benefits, professional development opportunities, a generous paid time off policy, and up to 16 weeks of paid family and medical leave.
  • Benefits: The Alliance offers a competitive benefits package covering:
    • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance covering
      • 100% of employee premiums 
      • 75% of premiums for employee dependents
    • Employer retirement contributions (SEP IRA) of 5% of salary
    • Employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability income protection insurance 
    • Cell phone and internet stipends of $100 per month
    • WMATA transportation Smartbenefits for staff located in the DMV area
    • Professional development opportunities and funds 
    • Generous paid time off policy through which staff accrue 10 hours of PTO per month
    • Unlimited sick leave
    • Paid family and medical leave up to 16 weeks
    • Paid Sabbatical (after 4 years of service)
    • 15 paid holidays
    • Potential for end of year or other bonuses
  • Location: This is a full-time position based in the United States. All Alliance staff are required to live within about an hour from an airport with frequent flights to DC and to our network locations; eligible airports are listed here. Moving reimbursements are offered to employees who need to move for this position.
  • Travel: Domestic travel for this role may be up to 30-40% of this position. Must be willing to work periodically long, irregular hours and to travel as needed.
  • COVID-19: The Alliance currently requires employees to be fully vaccinated and boosted in order to travel on behalf of the Alliance. Additionally there may be vaccine requirements for attendees at Alliance, Network, or partner events.

Commitment to Equity

At the Alliance for Youth Action, we want to create a world where our democracy works for everyone and where all people – no matter where they come from, what they look like, or how they identify – live in loving, safe, and thriving communities. As such, we value diversity and equity as central to our work. The Alliance for Youth Action is an equal opportunity employer and an inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. People of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, people of diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions, and identities are encouraged to apply. 

Some candidates may feel discouraged from applying if they don’t match every job requirement – we encourage you to apply anyway.

To Apply

Please fill out this form, and submit a single pdf document including the following:

  • Two paragraphs or less explaining why you want this position and what makes you a strong candidate (please prioritize content over formality) 
  • Resume
  • Three references (we will reach out to you first before contacting them)

Please reach out via email with any questions.

The Priority Deadline to apply is January 21st, 2025, but applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.