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The differences between foundation directors and grant managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a foundation director, becoming a grant manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a foundation director has an average salary of $97,206, which is higher than the $60,692 average annual salary of a grant manager.
The top three skills for a foundation director include foundation board, fund development and donor relations. The most important skills for a grant manager are grants management, financial reports, and oversight.
| Foundation Director | Grant Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $97,206 | $60,692 |
| Hourly rate | $46.73 | $29.18 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 10,791 | 7,726 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Foundation Directors are responsible for directing the operations of a foundation for an organization. Their duties include developing foundation policies, creating fundraising campaigns strategy, assisting in grant review and approval process, and ensuring all operations comply with legal regulations. They conduct budgeting, manage the organization's funds, and perform a liaison role between the foundation and family members. Foundation Directors set performance objectives and help drive employee recruitment and retention. They work with the board to ensure the foundation's mission is represented across all strategies set.
A grant manager is responsible for granting financial assistance and support to various sector programs, evaluating grant applications, and implementing policies from its conceptualization to utilization. Grant managers review the grant documents, ensuring its adherence to internal guidelines and state regulations. They coordinate with clients and project management team to inform them of requirements and processes for approval, including the implementation of strategies to identify grant opportunities and policies. A grant manager handles the grant team for efficient coordination to make sure the efficient execution and analysis of grant programs.
Foundation directors and grant managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Foundation Director | Grant Manager | |
| Average salary | $97,206 | $60,692 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $159,000 | Between $46,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Cruz, CA | Arlington, VA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Low Income Investment Fund |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a foundation director and a grant manager in terms of educational background:
| Foundation Director | Grant Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between foundation directors' and grant managers' demographics:
| Foundation Director | Grant Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 14% |