Grants & Social Media Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Grants & Social Media Manager

🔹 Company: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

🔹 Location: Kansas City, MO

🔹 Job Type: Full Time

🔹 Category: Nonprofit

🔹 Date Posted: June 2, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level

🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading foundation and corporate grant fundraising efforts
• Managing a grant portfolio exceeding $1 million
• Overseeing the organization’s social media presence
• Developing and executing digital strategies to enhance visibility and engagement
• Collaborating with internal teams to ensure unified brand messaging

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong balance of grant management and digital marketing skills, with a focus on strategic planning, execution, and analysis.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Research, write, and submit grant proposals to foundations and corporate partners

✅ Manage the full lifecycle of grant programs, from identification and solicitation to implementation, tracking, and reporting

✅ Develop personalized grant support and guidance for VFW Posts nationwide

✅ Track grant budgets, expenditures, deliverables, and outcomes

✅ Maintain grant records and reporting schedules; ensure compliance with grantor requirements

✅ Lead VFW Post fundraising workshops and provide technical assistance at national events

✅ Conduct prospect research using databases like Foundation Directory Online and Bloomerang; generate detailed profiles and strategy recommendations

✅ Develop and implement a results-driven social media strategy aligned with fundraising and outreach goals

✅ Create, schedule, and publish compelling content across platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube

✅ Produce live content at events and support multimedia storytelling around VFW Foundation activities

✅ Monitor analytics and audience insights; produce reports on campaign performance and engagement metrics

✅ Coordinate with internal marketing and communications teams to ensure unified brand messaging

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a significant amount of writing, research, and data analysis, as well as strong communication and project management skills.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, creative writing, journalism, or nonprofit management, or a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience

Experience: 2-5 years of relevant professional experience in grants management, social media management, or a related field

Required Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong storytelling and editing proficiency
• Demonstrated ability to research, write, and manage complex grant proposals
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Expertise in social media platforms and tools; ability to design and schedule compelling digital content
• Familiarity with donor and grant research tools such as Foundation Directory Online and Bloomerang
• Ability to analyze data, track results, and communicate outcomes effectively
• Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Competence in using statistics and narrative to communicate impact
• Knowledge of VFW structure and mission preferred

Preferred Skills:

• Veteran status

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in grants management, social media management, or a related field, with a proven track record of success in both areas.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $57,556 - $57,556 Salary/year

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Paid Time Off

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for similar roles in nonprofit organizations. However, the actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Civic and Social Organizations

Company Size: 10,001+ employees

Founded: 1899

Company Description:

• The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is the nation's largest and oldest major war veterans organization.
• Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces.
• With nearly 1.7 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in more than 6,500 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs.

Company Specialties:

• Legislative Advocacy
• VA Claim Assistance and Support
• Military Separation Benefits and Support
• Post 9/11 GI Bill Assistance
• Scholarship Programs
• Veterans and Military Family Financial Assistance
• Community Service
• Troop Support
• and Flag Etiquette

Company Website: http://www.vfw.org

ASSUMPTION: The VFW is a well-established organization with a strong focus on veteran support and advocacy, offering a comprehensive range of services and programs.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-Senior level

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Donor Relations

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (on-site with remote work options)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to advance within the organization as the role evolves and expands
• Opportunities to gain experience in both grants management and digital marketing
• Possibility to work on high-impact projects with significant visibility

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to grow professionally while making a significant impact on veteran support and advocacy.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (onsite with remote work options)

Office Location(s): 406 W 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111, US

Geographic Context:

• Kansas City, MO is located in the Midwest region of the United States
• The city has a population of approximately 491,912 (as of the 2020 census)
• Kansas City is known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and vibrant arts scene

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible remote work options

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to optimize their work environment.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
• Final interview with the Director of Donor Relations
• Background check and reference check
• Job offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Grant management experience and skills
• Social media management experience and skills
• Communication and writing abilities
• Data analysis and project management skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with the organization's mission

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the VFW's mission and values in your application materials
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your grant management and social media experience
• Be ready to discuss your approach to data-driven decision-making and analytics
• Showcase your ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple priorities

ATS Keywords: Grants management, social media strategy, content creation, data analysis, project management, veteran support, nonprofit, fundraising, communication, storytelling

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, so it's essential to tailor your application materials and prepare thoroughly for interviews.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube)
• Grant research and management tools (Foundation Directory Online, Bloomerang)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (Excel, Google Analytics, social media analytics platforms)
• Project management tools (Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is essential for success in this role, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency during the interview process.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Service to veterans
• Community involvement
• Patriotism
• Camaraderie
• Support for the armed forces

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and responsive to change
• Data-driven and analytical
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Committed to the organization's mission and values

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with the VFW's core values, particularly 'Service to veterans'?
• How do you approach working collaboratively with internal teams to ensure unified brand messaging?
• How do you balance managing multiple priorities and projects simultaneously?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong fit with the VFW's values and work style, as well as a commitment to the organization's mission.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a large grant portfolio with competing priorities
• Keeping up with the latest trends and best practices in social media management
• Balancing the demands of grant management and digital marketing
• Working effectively in a hybrid work environment
• Navigating a large organization with multiple stakeholders

ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong project management, communication, and adaptability skills, as well as a deep understanding of both grants management and digital marketing.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role combines aspects of Grants Manager and Social Media Manager positions, with a unique focus on veteran support and advocacy
• Unlike similar roles, this position requires a strong balance of grant management and digital marketing skills, with a focus on strategic planning, execution, and analysis
• Career progression may involve moving into a specialized grants management or digital marketing role, or taking on a leadership position within the organization

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of responsibilities, requiring candidates to possess a diverse skill set and adaptable mindset.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive grant strategy to secure funding for veteran support programs
• Creating and implementing a social media campaign to raise awareness about veteran-related issues and initiatives
• Managing a grant portfolio to ensure compliance with grantor requirements and maximize funding opportunities
• Collaborating with internal teams to produce multimedia content for VFW Foundation activities

ASSUMPTION: These projects demonstrate the breadth of responsibilities and the importance of strong project management and communication skills in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical grant portfolio for this role and the key priorities for the first 90 days?
• How does the organization support the professional development of employees in this role?
• Can you provide examples of successful social media campaigns executed by the VFW Foundation?
• How does the VFW Foundation measure the impact of its grant programs and social media initiatives?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the VFW Foundation in the next 5 years, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to understanding the organization's priorities and goals.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your grant management and social media experience
• Be ready to discuss your approach to data-driven decision-making and analytics
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.