Grants and Foundations Manager

JOB TITLE:                      Grants and Foundations Manager

HOURS:                          37.5 hours/week, Hybrid working 2 days per week on site

LOCATION:                    Central London Office

REPORTING TO:          Group Head of Development

GRADE:                          Manager

Tracker Group is a UK-based, not-for-profit think tank. Our aim is to enable a Paris-aligned, nature-positive global economy by aligning capital market actions with planetary boundaries. We are the home of the two award-winning research brands, Carbon Tracker and Planet Tracker, which together comprise Tracker Group, combined under one corporate entity since 2022.

Together, we mobilise investors and corporates alike to intervene in the practices destroying our planet, working towards the necessary, fundamental changes in our world’s financial markets to respect the environmental boundaries we know our planet has.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is a new position at Tracker Group and the post holder will be responsible for supporting both Carbon Tracker and Planet Tracker, with the opportunity to raise funds for the full range of programmes offered by both organisations.

The Grants and Foundations Manager plays a key role in the small Development team, supporting the strategy for funder engagement and the creation of fundraising initiatives to support the Tracker Group. The Grants and Foundations Manager will be responsible for a portfolio of institutional donors. Within that portfolio they will directly engage with and provide strategic support for foundation grant identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. They work collaboratively with our Programme leadership to facilitate funding partnership opportunities in alignment with the Tracker Group’s mission, values, and goals. They oversee grant deliverables and funder development activities through coordination with executive leadership, program, and finance teams. The Grants and Foundations Manager will work closely with the Group Head of Development, who also carries a portfolio of donors, the Grants Administrator, and other Tracker Group staff and Board members as needed, to support fund development activities and meet fundraising goals.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

Grants (85%)

• Lead a portfolio of funder relationships, providing approximately £4M in annual support for the Tracker Group’s program work covering both Carbon Tracker and Planet Tracker.
• Responsible for securing an annual revenue target; maintaining relationships and activities with existing grantors; and supporting the development of an annual plan and budget for grant revenues.
• Develop and maintain foundation relationships, and work closely with the Head of Development, Head of Research, COO, CEO and other key staff to develop donor strategy and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Research and identify new prospective grant makers; build and maintain a robust pipeline of funding prospects based on program priorities and budget needs.
• Develop funding concepts for foundations and write proposals, applications and letters of enquiry.
• Create materials for communicating with current funding partners, including support materials for funder deliverables, written updates to private funding partners, and input on general fundraising communications as requested.
• Prepare all reporting necessary for grantors.
• Develops and delivers exceptional stewardship, to help ensure long-term donor relationships and increased revenue.
• Contribute to maintenance of tracking tools to coordinate active funding opportunities.
• Maintain landscape knowledge of funder audiences and share emerging opportunities to inform program strategies and fundraising efforts.

Collaborate effectively across teams, and maintain awareness of programmatic work and impact. (10%)

• Engage with colleagues and facilitate cross-team conversations to understand the value of our programmatic work, align priorities, and identify and develop funding opportunities.
• Maintain knowledge and expertise in issues relevant to the Tracker Group’s organisational priorities.
• Collaborate with and advise programme teams on how to best demonstrate programmatic impact to funder, including developing compelling project goals and metrics that can be reflected in funding proposals.
• Monitor the delivery of programme objectives relevant to funders and grant proposal requirements.
• Ensure key data points for funders are consistently tracked, and outcomes are evaluated and reported on quarterly.
• Ensure programme teams are aware of grant deliverables, through structured communications, kick-off and check-in meetings, and tracking tools.

Other (5%)

• Other work as directed by the Head of Development or Senior Management Team.
• Occasional assistance with other fundraising initiatives and special projects as assigned.
• Provide progress reporting as required by the Head of Development.
• Responsibilities and tasks outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the organization or employee.

Qualifications

Required

• Experience of working for non-profits with a track record of success in securing 5, 6 and 7 figure grants from large international foundations/institutional funders.
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Ability to quickly learn complex financial issues and concepts and be able to communicate those issues in a compelling manner.
• Significant experience with restricted funding (securing, tracking and financial reports)
• Ability to work in a team-based environment.
• Ability to manage up, and secure deliverables from lateral and senior management.
• A self-starter with a sense of urgency, a clear set of priorities, and a strong work ethic; must have the ability to adapt quickly to, plan for, and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced setting, with the ability to think strategically, problem solve, and manage multiple tasks concurrently, and to work both independently, and in teams.
• Have a high degree of computer literacy including experience with CRM system/s, Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook in particular) and internet research skills.
• Interest in climate and environmental protection issues.

Desired

Familiarity with climate and environmental funders.

Travel: Travel is infrequent, but ideally the Grants and Foundations Manager must be able to travel to meet with prospective and ongoing foundation supporters.

Benefits

Work Environment:

Hybrid working in the UK with two days/week in our central London office.

What we offer:

• Salary Range: £50,000 - £55,000 per year, based on experience.
• Hybrid Work Environment: Minimum of two days in the office, with the rest from home (UK)
• Annual Leave: 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, with an additional day for every year worked (up to a maximum of 30 days per year).
• Pension Contribution: 7% employer contribution.
• Health Benefits: Possibility to opt into private healthcare.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Access to a cycle-to-work scheme.
• Contribution to home office: £150 towards a desk and chair set up.
• Remote Work Flexibility: Up to four weeks per year working remotely.

The closing date for applications is Monday 31st March 2025.