Advocating for Pay Equity in Grants Management

Grants managers are the backbones and the hearts of philanthropic organizations, as they touch each and every function inside the organization—from operations to programs, strategy, finance, information technology, compliance. They are also typically the first points of contact grantees have with funders and they have more consistent relationships with grantees. As the field of philanthropy evolves, grants management professionals have been instrumental in driving and influencing more equitable, effective, and efficient grantmaking practices. And yet, current compensation practices don’t reflect the expanding value of the role, as PEAK Grantmaking’s 2020 Grants Management Salary Report demonstrates. What’s more, the data show inequity within pay bands among people based on components of personal identity. There are also concerning trends across job bands. [peak-pullquote quote="Although their role has shifted significantly, grants management professionals have not received a sector-wide reevaluation to compensate for the added value they bring."] PEAK’s salary data encompasses a broader