Looking for a role where you can help strengthen local charities, support community initiatives, and make a lasting impact?

Nanaimo Foundation is seeking a Strategic Initiatives & Granting Manager to join our growing team. In this role, you’ll help steward community investments, oversee granting programs, and support initiatives that strengthen the charitable sector and improve quality of life across Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Cedar, Gabriola Island, and Lantzville.

If you’re a collaborative professional who enjoys building relationships, managing projects, and bringing ideas to life, we’d love to hear from you. Explore the full job posting below and apply today via email to ceo@nanaimofoundation.com.

Nanaimo, BC (Hybrid)
Full-Time, Permanent
$75,000-$90,000 annually

About the Opportunity

Nanaimo Foundation is seeking a Strategic Initiatives & Granting Manager to play a key role in advancing community impact through granting, community engagement, and strategic initiatives.

Reporting to the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships and working closely with the CEO, this position oversees the Foundation’s granting programs, supports strategic community initiatives, and helps foster strong relationships with charities, volunteers, donors, and community partners.

This is a hands-on role within a small, collaborative, and values-driven team. The successful candidate will be comfortable balancing relationship building, project management, community engagement, and program administration. From coordinating grant programs and community events to supporting learning opportunities and sector collaboration, this role helps ensure the Foundation’s work is delivered with excellence, transparency, and meaningful impact.

This opportunity is ideal for someone who thrives in a community-focused environment and enjoys turning ideas into action while helping create positive change throughout the region.

About Nanaimo Foundation

Since 1982, Nanaimo Foundation has been dedicated to strengthening our communities by connecting people, ideas, and resources to create meaningful and lasting impact. Serving Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Cedar, Gabriola Island, and Lantzville, we work with donors, charities, volunteers, and community partners to build a more vibrant, equitable, and resilient region.

What You’ll Do

Granting & Community Investment

  • Oversee and administer Foundation granting programs
  • Manage the full grant lifecycle, including application intake, review processes, committee coordination, recommendations, and reporting
  • Support granting committees through agenda preparation, applicant summaries, and meeting coordination
  • Track grant outcomes and share community impact results
  • Build strong relationships with charities, applicants, and community organizations

Strategic Initiatives

  • Support the development and implementation of initiatives that advance the Foundation’s mission and community priorities
  • Coordinate sector learning opportunities, workshops, seminars, and community engagement activities
  • Help identify opportunities to strengthen local charities and nonprofit organizations

Community Engagement & Events

  • Lead the planning and delivery of key Foundation events and engagement activities
  • Coordinate registrations, invitations, sponsorship support, venues, vendors, and event logistics
  • Represent the Foundation at community meetings, events, and gatherings
  • Support donor, volunteer, grantee, and partner engagement throughout the year

Systems & Administration

  • Manage the Foundation’s grants portal and related processes
  • Maintain accurate records within CommunitySuite and other systems
  • Prepare reports, presentations, correspondence, and briefing materials
  • Support process improvements and ongoing system effectiveness

Communications & Stewardship

  • Support communications that highlight granting programs and community impact
  • Assist with storytelling, impact reporting, newsletters, presentations, and digital communications
  • Work collaboratively across the Foundation team to celebrate and share the impact of community investments

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

  • Post-secondary education in nonprofit management, community development, communications, public administration, business, or related field
  • Three to five years of experience in philanthropy, granting, nonprofit leadership, program delivery, project management, community development, or related field
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities
  • Experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines
  • Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Event planning and stakeholder engagement experience
  • High level of discretion and professionalism
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database management systems
  • Valid BC driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle

Nice to Have

  • Experience with CommunitySuite or similar foundation management software
  • Knowledge of BC’s charitable and nonprofit sector
  • Experience supporting committees, advisory groups, or community engagement processes
  • Familiarity with impact measurement or evaluation frameworks
  • Understanding of philanthropy and community foundation operations

What Makes You Successful

  • Strong relationship-building skills
  • Sound judgment and integrity
  • Exceptional organization and attention to detail
  • Initiative, adaptability, and accountability
  • Collaborative and community-minded approach
  • Commitment to equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and community impact

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive salary
  • Extended health and dental benefits
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Enrolment in Municipal Pension Plan
  • Generous vacation and paid time off
  • Flexible hybrid work environment

Working Conditions

  • Based in Nanaimo, BC, with flexible hybrid work arrangements
  • Occasional evening and weekend work to support events and community engagement activities
  • Local travel throughout Nanaimo Foundation’s service area

Apply Today

Join a team committed to creating meaningful and lasting impact in our communities. If you’re looking for an opportunity to combine community engagement, grantmaking, project management, and relationship building in a purpose-driven organization, we’d love to hear from you.

Nanaimo Foundation is committed to equity, inclusion, and reconciliation. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences and recognize that meaningful skills and knowledge can be gained through a variety of pathways. If you are passionate about community impact and believe you would be a strong fit for this role, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet every qualification listed. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process upon request.

 

            Please submit your cover letter and résumé (PDF format) to ceo@nanaimofoundation.com.