Grant Operations Assistant
Position Type: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt
Location: Flexible (remote); Must be located and eligible to work in the U.S.
Salary: $48,475
Closing Date: May 23, 2025
Candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until we have a sufficient pool of diverse candidates who meet the job requirements, at which point we may pause the review of new applications before the stated deadline. Please understand you may not be contacted for several weeks after you apply.
Ideal Start Date: 2-4 weeks after offer
About the Center for Disaster Philanthropy
CDP began in 2010 with the goal of pioneering the practice of strategic disaster philanthropy. Since then, it has grown in its ambition, envisioning a world where the impact of disasters is minimized through thoughtful, equitable and responsible recovery for all. CDP has a $35 million budget and a team of more than 25 staff members working remotely across the U.S.
CDP is a trusted partner, expert and authoritative resource helping hundreds of individuals, foundations and corporations boost the impact of philanthropic giving in response to disasters and humanitarian crises by supporting equitable recovery and addressing root causes of vulnerabilities worldwide.
In 2024, CDP awarded approximately $16 million through 78 grants to grantee partners worldwide, demonstrated thought leadership through 14 webinars, 128 blog posts, featured speaking engagements and other events, and served 20+ philanthropic partners through consulting efforts. In 2020, CDP was a featured nonprofit for the 14th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute. CDP has earned Charity Navigator’s Four-Star Charity rating, Candid’s Platinum Transparency seal and is a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity.
As an organization grounded in racial and intersectional equity, our team members are deeply committed to strengthening communities most vulnerable to disasters because of systemic inequities. We are guided by our values of integrity, boldness and innovation, humility, and empathy in all that we do in pursuit of our mission.
Bottom line: We aspire to walk the talk of anti-racism and treat each other and our partners in ways that inspire trust, creativity, learning and care.
Be a part of our fast-growing team that offers countless ways to help communities thrive. Join us!
Responsibilities & Duties
The grant operations assistant is responsible for conducting risk assessments on grantee partners and pre-check applications to ensure compliance with funding guidelines and organizational policies. This role’s duties involve reviewing financial records, governance structures and reputational risks, as well as assessing financial and operational risk, verifying documentation, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to support grant decision-making.
This role supports the maintenance of CDP’s grantmaking database and plays a pivotal role in the improvement of the grant operations process and efficiencies.
As a fully remote workforce, CDP prioritizes employee engagement and relationship building in service of a collaborative culture rooted in equity. To this end, in-person team retreats are scheduled throughout the year in different regions of the U.S. This role will be expected to attend 2-3 retreats per year, which average 3-5 days of travel.
This position will report to the grant operations manager but will work in service of the whole organization.
The successful candidate will display the following traits:
You want meaningful work that contributes to the betterment of society. You love being challenged, learning and growing. You have a natural collaborative style and understand that it takes a team.
You possess a strong sense of ethics and discretion when handling sensitive information, demonstrating precision in reviewing documents, financial statements and compliance records. Your sharp analytical skills, keen attention to detail and sound ethical judgment enable you to assess risks effectively. You understand data analysis, reporting tools and document management systems and can clearly summarize findings in reports. Your strong written and verbal communication skills allow you to convey complex issues with clarity and confidence.
Primary responsibilities include:
Compliance
- Conduct due diligence on organizations, including financial, legal, operational and reputational risk assessments.
- Review financial statements, audits, tax filings (e.g., IRS Form 990) and governance structures to ensure they meet due diligence requirements.
- Verify legal status, tax-exempt status, registrations, certifications and past performance to ensure compliance with CDP policies.
- Check watchlists and sanctions lists (e.g., OFAC) to identify potential regulatory or ethical concerns.
- Investigate potential conflicts of interest, fraud risks or ethical concerns and escalate findings as needed.
- Collaborate with finance and fund management teams to ensure adherence to policies and risk mitigation strategies.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation of vetting and due diligence findings.
Database support and maintenance
- Accurately enter and update various data types into CDP’s database, Blackbaud Grantmaking.
- Regularly update and maintain the existing database by adding new information, creating new records and modifying existing records.
- Perform ad hoc data clean-up tasks.
- Identify opportunities to create and/or update the policies within the fund management coalition building department for use across the organization.
- Support in the documentation of Standard Operating Procedures related to database maintenance.
- Identify, recommend and carry out opportunities for improvement across database maintenance tasks.
Other duties as assigned
- Perform other duties and job-related tasks as assigned.
- Remain conversant about organizational and team priorities.
- Participate in team discussions concerning the implementation of process improvement and aligning organizational values with practice.
- Collaborate effectively with colleagues across the organization to advance the grant operations function.
- Serve on committees, panels and task forces at CDP as appropriate and as available.
Required qualifications
- 1-3 years of relevant experience in a professional setting, preferably within a philanthropic or nonprofit organization.
- Foundational understanding of nonprofit financial documents.
- Basic research skills.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully exercise judgment within established guidelines.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and a strong sense of responsibility for one’s work.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- High degree of skill using Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
Preferred skills and qualifications
- Familiarity with grantmaking principles, nonprofit regulations and risk assessment frameworks.
- Experience reviewing financial statements and legal documents.
- Knowledge of and/or interest in disasters, humanitarian crises and philanthropy.
- Working knowledge of and experience managing a grantmaking platform; Blackbaud Grantmaking preferred.
- Willingness to learn and grow.
Characteristics
- Commitment to the values intrinsic to CDP’s mission and strategy, including the centrality of local leadership, equity and service to marginalized and vulnerable communities.
- Entrepreneurial spirit.
- Team player.
- Sense of humor.
We welcome and encourage applicants with non-traditional career paths. If you don’t meet the qualifications outlined here, please apply and tell us how your experiences would equip you for the job.
CDP provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
To apply
Qualified candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter via this link. Applications must highlight competencies against requirements.
All applicants must be able to provide documentation that they are legally eligible to work in the United States for an extended period.
Due to the expected volume of applications, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.