Applying? Email your resume to hr@kanbesmarkets.org. 

Position Summary:

Kanbe's Markets is seeking a passionate and detail-oriented Grant and Strategic Communication Manager to join our mission. As we continue to expand our innovative food rescue and distribution model, we need a talented writer who is also a strategic thinker and can help secure and manage the funding that makes our work possible and draft compelling narrative to communicate the impact of our work to our wide variety of stakeholders and partners. The ideal candidate will combine strong writing skills with financial acumen to tell our story compellingly, while ensuring we meet all grant requirements and deadlines. Your work will directly impact our ability to meet our expansion goals so we can significantly improve access to fresh, affordable food for our community. This position reports directly to the Chief Impact Officer, works closely with senior leadership and in partnership with a highly creative marketing and communications and purpose giving team.

Grant Writing and Management:

• Lead and execute Kanbe's Markets' robust grant program, managing approximately 50 annual submissions ranging from small foundation grants to major federal opportunities
• Drive the complete grant lifecycle: research and qualify new opportunities, author compelling narratives, coordinate cross-departmental input, manage documentation, and ensure timely submission
• Maintain a comprehensive grants calendar and reporting schedule, ensuring all interim and final reports are completed with accuracy and submitted by required deadlines
• Serve as the organization's point person for collaborative grant opportunities with partner organizations, fostering strong relationships while maintaining Kanbe's strategic priorities
• Lead major federal and government grant initiatives, including managing external grant writing consultants and ensuring all proposals align with organizational capacity and mission
• Build and maintain a library of current organizational information, success metrics, and program descriptions to streamline grant applications

Strategic Communications and Storytelling:

• Develop compelling, research-driven content for quarterly newsletters that effectively communicates Kanbe's impact and engages diverse stakeholders
• Create and execute dynamic content strategies for signature campaigns, including Hunger Action Month, incorporating blog posts, social media content, and impact stories
• Serve as an internal subject matter expert on food systems, synthesizing and sharing research on food insecurity, food waste reduction, and economic development in Kansas City and beyond
• Translate complex data and program outcomes into accessible, engaging narratives for various audiences

Evaluation, Impact Measurement, and Reporting:

• Lead external evaluation consultants through program assessment processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and funder requirements while maintaining project timelines and deliverables
• Design and implement comprehensive impact measurement frameworks that build off evaluation’s findings, capture both quantitative and qualitative outcomes of Kanbe's work
• Analyze data to tell compelling stories about our impact and inform strategic decision-making
• Create regular impact reports for board members, donors, and other stakeholders
• Use data-driven insights to inform program improvements and strategic planning

Collaborative Leadership:

• Work independently while contributing to a dynamic, mission-driven team environment
• Support organizational events, special projects, and workforce development initiatives as needed
• Maintain strong relationships with team members to ensure accurate and current information for grant proposals and impact reporting
• Contribute to strategic planning discussions with data-informed perspectives
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to assist with various organizational needs as they arise
• Actively participate in team meetings and organizational culture-building activities

• A minimum of 3 years writing grants;
• Experience with federal funding;
• A passion for food justice, retail justice and/or environmental justice.

Preferred Skills:

• A strong communications and/or writing background;
• Previous nonprofit experience with evidence of increasing success;
• History of working independently and with a highly motivated team.

Compensation & Benefits | PTO:

This is a salary position with a range of $60,000 -75,000 annual and will be commensurate with experience. This is a full-time position with health insurance benefits. Paid time off is available after 90 days of continuous employment.

Impact Description:

Within the first month (First 30 Days):

• Be familiar with all active grants and reporting deadlines and create structure for individual workflow to ensure prompt and timely reporting.
• Review and update grants calendar for the year, including submission and reporting deadlines
• Review and understand current reporting systems and data collection processes
• Familiarize with all current program metrics and impact reporting methods
• Meet with key team members to understand their roles in grant processes and data collection
• Begin managing immediate grant deadlines and reports
• Review past newsletters and communications to understand organizational voice and style
• Start initial assessment of potential grant opportunities pipeline

Within 3 Months (90 Days):

• Successfully manage and submit at least 10-12 grant applications
• Complete all scheduled grant reports with high accuracy and timeliness
• Develop and implement streamlined process for grant application workflow, including clear roles and timelines for staff input
• Create grant template with current organizational information and metrics
• Produce first quarterly newsletter column with research-based content
• Begin leading evaluation process with external consultants if applicable
• Establish baseline metrics for current programs and identify any gaps in data collection
• Maintain initial dashboard for tracking grant success rates and funding metrics
• Develop relationship with key funding partners and community collaborators

First 6 Months (180 Days):

• Successfully manage and submit 25-30 grant applications with a targeted success rate of 50%
• Identify and pursue at least 2-3 new significant funding opportunities
• Lead at least one major federal/government grant process with external consultants
• Implement improved impact measurement system with clear processes for data collection and reporting
• Create comprehensive impact report demonstrating program outcomes and organizational growth
• Prepare engaging Hunger Action Month campaign content with measurable engagement
• Establish efficient system for managing collaborative grants with partner organizations
• Develop and maintain updated grant proposal language reflecting current programs and impact
• Show measurable improvement in grant success rate and/or average grant size

Within first year:

• Complete standardized impact reports for board and key stakeholders
• Launch at least one new strategic communications initiative based on data insights
• Document standard operating procedures for grants management and reporting processes
• Maintain grant template

Kanbe’s is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.