Associate Manager, Grants (Taco Bell Foundation)

Who is Taco Bell?

Taco Bell was born and raised in California and has been around since 1962. We went from selling everyone’s favorite Crunchy Tacos on the West Coast to a global brand with 8,200+ restaurants, 350 franchise organizations, that serve 42+ million fans each week around the globe. We’re not only the largest Mexican-inspired quick service brand (QSR) in the world, we’re also part of the biggest restaurant group in the world: Yum! Brands. 

Much of our fan love and authentic connection with our communities are rooted in being rebels with a cause. From ensuring we use high quality, sustainable ingredients to elevating restaurant technology in ways that hasn’t been done before… we will continue to be inclusive, bold, challenge the status quo and push industry boundaries.   

We’re a company that celebrates and advocates for different, has bold self-expression, strives for a better future, and brings the fun while we’re at it. We fuel our culture with real people who bring unique experiences. We inspire and enable our teams and the world to Live Más.

At Taco Bell, we’re Cultural Rebels. Want to join in on the passion-fueled fun? Learn more about the career below. 

About Taco Bell Foundation:

At the Taco Bell Foundation, we believe in supporting the passions and dreams of our young people. We invest in America’s youth, ages 16-26, and help them pursue their educational goals and career aspirations – no matter what their unique passion. We leverage our scale and reach to convene the right partners and build impactful programs and experiences so these young people can confidently pursue their dream-career. Since 1992, the Foundation has reached more than 5 million young people across the country and has awarded more than $155 million in grants and scholarships, focused on education, mentorship and career readiness.

About the Job:

The Grants Associate Manager is responsible for executing all aspects of the Foundation’s multi-million-dollar grantmaking and philanthropic efforts, encompassing strategic planning and leadership, program management and delivery, and stakeholder engagement and collaboration. This role will build relationships with our franchisees and grantees, fosters local engagement opportunities, and seeks out nonprofit partners in all communities where Taco Bell operates.  The Grants Associate Manager/Manager will oversee the implementation of all our grantmaking programs, including Community Grants, Emergency Relief Grants, Capital Grants, Impact Fund, and international grants.  The role will have direct reports and be responsible for growing and engaging their direct reports.

The Day-to-Day:

• Strategic Planning and Leadership
  • Assist Manager in setting strategy for franchisee engagement with local nonprofit partners
  • Lead the strategy for communicating with grantees, planning the annual grant awards announcement
  • Managing the effort with Communications and Marketing teams to highlight grantees’ work through storytelling.
  • Lead implementation of grant program evaluation framework to assess the strategies of the program(s) and identify areas for improvement.
  • Onboard new vendors as needed to position up our grantmaking for future growth.   

• Program Management and Delivery
  • Manage and grow team administering multi-million annual grants portfolio and serve as lead liaison to 50+ nonprofits.
  • Assist Manager in leading of program delivery of the Community Grants, Emergency Relief Grants, Capital Grants, Impact Fund, and International Grants programs and lead the full program grant cycles.
  • Oversee grants disbursement and grant impact reporting.
  • Oversee grant review processes: proposals, evaluations, and site visits.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
  • Inform and advise leadership about program insights and best practices in grantmaking.
  • Actively work with the communications team to capture, develop, share, and utilize knowledge to lift the work of grantees.
  • Oversee new engagement opportunities and facilitating connections between franchisees and grantees.
  • Collaborate and network with industry experts and funders.

Is This You?

• BA or BS degree, preferably in public affairs, nonprofit management, communications or equivalent experience in related field
• At least 5 years of experience in philanthropy, grants management, nonprofit management, community engagement, partnership building, impact-oriented storytelling, or related field.
• Proficiency with software platforms such