Application Guide

How to Apply for Grants Manager

at Working Solutions CDFI

🏢 About Working Solutions CDFI

Working Solutions CDFI is a mission-driven nonprofit lender that has deployed over $70 million to underserved entrepreneurs in California, focusing on BIPOC and women founders. Its unique model combines affordable capital with free business consulting, making a tangible impact on economic equity. Working here means directly contributing to closing the wealth gap and supporting small business owners who are often overlooked by traditional banks.

About This Role

As Grants Manager, you will be the engine behind securing and managing institutional funding from corporate, foundation, and government sources. You'll own the full grants cycle—from writing compelling proposals to ensuring compliance and renewals—while collaborating with Impact, Finance, and Communications teams. This role is critical because every grant you win directly fuels loans and consulting for underserved entrepreneurs.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with checking emails and updating Salesforce with grant deadlines, then drafting a letter of inquiry for a corporate foundation while coordinating with the Impact team for program data. After lunch, you could review a government grant RFP, meet with the Finance team to align on budget reporting, and end the day researching AI tools to automate submission tracking.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Working Solutions CDFI Is Looking For

  • A persuasive writer with 7+ years of grants experience, specifically in nonprofit or CDFI settings, who can craft LOIs and proposals that resonate with diverse funders.
  • A strategic relationship-builder who can identify new funding opportunities and maintain strong partnerships with corporate, foundation, and government stakeholders.
  • A detail-oriented project manager who can juggle multiple deadlines, track compliance, and coordinate cross-team inputs without dropping the ball.
  • A tech-savvy professional who can research and implement AI tools to streamline grant workflows, and is proficient in Salesforce and virtual collaboration tools.

📝 Tips for Applying to Working Solutions CDFI

1

Tailor your resume to highlight grants management experience with CDFIs or similar mission-driven lenders; quantify impact (e.g., 'secured $2M in grants for small business programs').

2

In your cover letter, mention specific funders you've worked with that align with Working Solutions' focus (e.g., community foundations, corporate social responsibility programs).

3

Showcase your ability to use AI tools: mention any experience with grant-writing software, CRM automation, or AI platforms like ChatGPT to draft proposals or track deadlines.

4

Emphasize your comfort with remote collaboration by detailing how you've used Zoom, Outlook, and Salesforce to manage grant cycles across distributed teams.

5

Research Working Solutions' current funders and recent grants (check their website and news); mention how your experience can help sustain or expand those relationships.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for economic justice and supporting underserved entrepreneurs, linking it to Working Solutions' mission.", "Specific examples of successful grant proposals you've written, especially for CDFIs or similar organizations, with measurable outcomes.", "Your experience managing the full grant lifecycle, from prospecting to reporting, and how you've used technology to improve efficiency.", "Your collaborative approach—how you've worked with impact, finance, and communications teams to produce compelling, data-driven proposals."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Working Solutions' latest annual report and impact metrics to understand their funding needs and outcomes.
  • → Look at their current funder list (often on website or Form 990) to see which foundations and corporations they partner with.
  • → Read about the CDFI industry and challenges in small business lending, especially for underserved groups, to show informed interest.
  • → Check their blog or news section for recent grants or initiatives, and think about how you could contribute to those efforts.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your process for researching and identifying new grant opportunities. How do you prioritize which funders to pursue?
2 Describe a time you had to coordinate with multiple departments to meet a tight grant deadline. How did you ensure accuracy and timeliness?
3 How have you used AI or technology to improve grant management? What tools did you implement and what results did you see?
4 This role involves writing for diverse audiences (corporate, foundation, government). How do you adapt your writing style for each?
5 Working Solutions serves BIPOC and women entrepreneurs. Why is this mission important to you, and how have you supported similar communities in past roles?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention CDFIs or Working Solutions' specific mission—this signals lack of genuine interest.
  • Overlooking the AI tool requirement; failing to address how you can bring tech innovation to grant management may hurt your candidacy.
  • Not emphasizing remote collaboration skills; the role is remote, so you must demonstrate comfort with virtual tools and asynchronous communication.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Working Solutions CDFI!

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