As federal funding becomes an increasingly critical tool for advancing public programs and community-based initiatives, the role of the federal grant manager has never been more essential—or more complex.
Whether embedded in a local government agency, a nonprofit organization, or a university system, grant managers play a pivotal role in ensuring that federal funds are awarded, administered, and monitored in compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. Their work spans the full lifecycle of a grant—from program design to final closeout—and involves coordination with internal teams, federal agencies, and community partners.
Here’s a comprehensive look at what federal grant managers do across all phases of a grant’s lifecycle, based on guidance from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM):
🔍 Pre-Award Phase: Preparing for Funding
Before a dollar is awarded, grant managers help organizations:
- Announce and promote funding opportunities
(when serving as a funding agency or intermediary) - Review and evaluate applications for completeness, eligibility, and alignment with program goals
- Conduct risk assessments and business reviews to determine the capacity of potential awardees
- Ensure eligibility through formulas, rating factors, or statutory requirements
- Coordinate timelines and application processes to meet agency deadlines and compliance standards
📝 Award Phase: Securing the Grant
Once funding decisions are made, the grant manager:
- Negotiates terms and conditions of awards, including allowable costs, reporting schedules, and oversight responsibilities
- Drafts and finalizes award documentation to ensure clarity and enforceability
- Serves as a liaison between funders and grantees to clarify expectations and establish mutual accountability
📊 Post-Award Phase: Monitoring and Managing
After an award is made, the real work begins. Grant managers must:
- Track reporting requirements and ensure timely submission of financial and performance reports
- Monitor compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, including 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance)
- Conduct program evaluations and establish performance metrics to assess effectiveness
- Flag and resolve issues, including audit findings or performance risks
- Facilitate site visits, risk assessments, and post-award reviews
- Oversee subrecipient monitoring and ensure downstream compliance
- Ensure adherence to cross-cutting federal regulations, such as environmental standards and civil rights protections
- Manage the closeout process, including reconciliation of expenditures and formal documentation of outcomes
🎯 Strategic Value of Grant Managers
Beyond compliance and reporting, strong grant managers contribute to:
- Organizational resilience by institutionalizing systems and controls
- Policy and program improvement through data-informed decision-making
- Funding competitiveness by building a track record of effective stewardship
- Community impact through efficient execution of publicly funded programs
At Levitate Legal & Consulting, we work closely with grant managers across sectors to strengthen systems, ensure compliance, and support strategic program execution. Whether your organization is managing a single award or overseeing a portfolio of federal investments, effective grant management is key to your success.
Need help building or enhancing your grants management infrastructure? Let Levitate show you how to lead with compliance, confidence, and impact.
