Capital Project Manager jobs in Kenner, LA

ABOUT THE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECT  

Founded in 2004, YEP is a New Orleans-based non-profit organization that provides comprehensive services to underserved young people. Our mission is to empower young people to improve their lives and the lives of others. Since YEP’s inception as the first juvenile reentry program for formerly incarcerated children in Louisiana, we have grown significantly in scope, size and impact.   

YEP is the largest non-profit organization in the Greater New Orleans region focused on providing comprehensive services to young people disconnected from school and work and impacted by the justice system. We employ more than 50 staff, are governed by an engaged 24-member board of directors, and to date have operated with an annual budget of $6 million – about 50% coming from public contracts with local and state government agencies and 50% raised from private philanthropy.

• YEP’s programs have demonstrated impact on the young people we serve:
  • To date, YEP has served over 8,500 young people. Today, we average more than 900 participants per year. 
  • As of 2024, YEP has helped 605 graduates aged 16-60 earn their HiSET – Louisiana’s high school equivalency diploma. 
  • 94% of young people and 100% of their parents felt YEP provided them with opportunities to develop skills, interact effectively with others and cope with new situations. 
  • 87% of young people said YEP has helped them feel like they have more control over their lives.
  • 93% of young people and their parents said YEP helped them feel better prepared to achieve their personal goals. 
• YEP was named “Nonprofit of the Year” in 2021 by New Orleans City Business Magazine. Melissa Sawyer was named “CEO of the Year” in January 2023 by Biz New Orleans Magazine. 
• In 2021, we received a $3 million donation from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott, a reflection of YEP’s reputation as an equity-oriented, high-impact youth-serving organization. 

Other differentiators and points of pride include: 

• Strong Program Results. Across all of YEP’s services areas, 75% youth have consistently demonstrated emotional wellbeing improvement on at least one validated socio-emotional measurement instrument. 100% of parents and guardians surveyed say that their child benefitted from their involvement in YEP’s program and services. Last year, 90% of youth surveyed said that their involvement with YEP helped them to be better prepared to achieve their personal goals.

• Steady Organizational Growth. YEP originally started to serve court-involved youth, but has grown significantly to engage youth and families who live in chronic poverty, are out of school or work, or have experienced trauma. Today, we operate programs in five geographic locations, including Central City, Mid-City, Algiers, New Orleans East and St. Charles Parish. Demand for our programs is high, and we have grown our reach over time despite the challenges of COVID and Hurricanes Ida and Katrina.

• Consistent, Invested Senior Leadership and Highly Engaged Board of Directors. YEP’s leadership team of four has been at the organization for more than 50 years combined.  YEP’s Board of Directors is highly engaged and supportive of YEP’s mission and staff. As a group, we are highly invested and stable.

• Commitment to Staff Wellness. YEP offers generous benefits. YEP is a warm and caring place to work and in addition to many other benefits, offers a savings account and retirement match, pays 100% of employee health care, life insurance, and short- and long-term disability.  

• Strong Financial Position. For years, YEP has had strong, reliable and transparent financials. We have clean audits, a larger-than-average cash reserve and own three of our buildings outright. 

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY: The Role of Grants Manager

Building upon YEP’s strong brand and fundraising track record, the next Grants Manager will have the best of two worlds: 1) the structure and support of a trusted and established 20-year-old organization and 2) the opportunities that come with an entrepreneurial and innovative culture. 

This manager will have significant writing and project management experience, and a strong desire to collaborate within a rigorous and positive organizational culture. This is a unique opportunity to maintain - and grow! - YEP’s strong position with local and national foundation, corporate and individual funding partners.  

This new director will report to Dean Howard, YEP’s Chief Development Officer (CDO), and work closely with Melissa Sawyer, YEP’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and other members of the extended team – particularly with those who work in communications, program, data, operations and finance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Goal Setting 

• Each fiscal year, work with the CDO and CEO to help identify an ambitious but realistic fundraising goal for foundations and corporations.
• Once the goal is set, work with the CDO to develop and implement YEP’s donor stewardship and engagement strategies - primarily for foundations and corporations. 
• Contribute messaging and materials for multiple fundraising campaigns annually, including an annual holiday appeal (each November and December) and a GiveNOLA Day campaign (each May). 
• Maintain detailed records to track progress - connections and conversations with program officers, proposal and report deadlines, other grant requirements, tailored stewardship touchpoints, etc. 

Persuasive Inspiring Written Communications

• Communicate passionately about the mission and vision of YEP, and progress toward annual goals, events, activities and policies.
• Regularly partner with YEP's Program Team and Data Team members to gather context, insight and data that help inform the narratives for a mix of letters, concept papers, proposals and reports.
• Write and submit at least 5-6 funding proposals, reports and/or Letters of Intent each month - many geared to foundation and corporate funding partners, but also a mix of individual donors, too. 
• In 2024, provide strategic direction and support for messaging, proposals and other materials related to the celebration of YEP’s 20th Anniversary. 
• Provide messaging, materials and writing support to the CDO and CEO as needed - for donor meetings, special events, board engagement, etc. 
• Set clear expectations and rationale for team requests - their input will be necessary to sharing the YEP story and impact. Model a commitment to excellence for all.

Pipeline Building Prospect Research 

• Work with the CDO, CEO and other development team members to identify new funding opportunities as needed - primarily foundations and corporations that give both locally and nationally - but some individual donor prospecting as well. 
• Monitor local funding activity via news stories, e-newsletters and events to help capture any possible new funding opportunities for YEP to pursue. 

Maintain and Strengthen Internal Systems 

• Work with the CDO and development team members to track annual fundraising progress using internal tracking tools - so we can easily monitor fundraising progress with foundations and corporations. This will include helping to manage 3-4 internal tools, including our funder database, shared language bank, team calendar, and a Funding Map, which captures our annual fundraising plans and progress-to-goal. 

Team Support Collaboration 

• Collaborate continuously within YEP to highlight our wins and persuade others to get involved - financially and otherwise.
• Collaborate with the Communications Manager to develop cultivation and stewardship pieces for donors. 
• Collaborate with others to make YEP a great place to work. 
• Contribute to a culture of optimism and resilience, including strong relationships with all YEP staff, and the celebration of both staff and youth successes. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5 years of experience in non-profit grant writing strong understanding of fundraising trends and grant writing best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and detail-oriented projects simultaneously, while maintaining a high standard of work.
• Proven track record of effectively managing up while also exercising a strong ability to independently manage projects.
• Proven ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal skills, consistently exhibiting a pleasant, friendly, collaborative demeanor while interacting with internal and external stakeholders.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communicator.
• Knowledge and ability to use computers and related technology to accomplish key employment responsibilities (MS Office, Google Suite, database management, etc.)
• Familiarity with the New Orleans nonprofit, corporate, and philanthropic sectors.
• Commitment to YEP’s organizational values and goals.

SALARY AND COMPENSATION:

We offer competitive salary and benefits packages, including healthcare coverage, an employer-matched retirement plan, financial wellness programs, and paid time off. 

The annual salary for this role will be between $50,000 and $70,000. 

Any offers extended by YEP will carefully consider candidates' skills, prior experiences, organizational equity, as well as the budget and funding available for the role. Our standard practice is to bring in new hires who meet the qualifications of the role somewhere between the minimum salary and the mid-point of the salary range. However, candidates who demonstrate exceptional skills and experience, exceeding the minimum qualifications, may be considered for a salary offer towards the higher end of the range. Candidates will have the opportunity to discuss salary and the total compensation package during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Youth Empowerment Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer. YEP ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic or classification protected by law.

Apply

We will accept applications on a rolling basis and give priority consideration to those received by April 1, 2024.Please learn more about us and click here to apply online.