Grant Management & Legislative Projects

On behalf of Albuquerque Public Schools, this department oversees compliance and provides support for schools and programs receiving federal, state, local, or private grants. It manages budgets, expenditures, and financial reporting for all district restricted funding.

Vision

To be a trusted leader in grant management by fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation. We continually strive for sustainability, where every dollar of restricted-purpose funding directly supports transformative educational outcomes — including early literacy, math proficiency, post-secondary readiness, and the development of skills, habits, and mindsets essential for lifelong success. Through strategic budgeting, exceptional service, and collaborative partnerships, we aim to empower our district and community to achieve lasting impact and equitable opportunity for all students.

Mission

Our mission is to deliver efficient and effective financial management for restricted-purpose grant funding, providing exceptional support to both internal and external stakeholders. We are committed to outstanding customer service and to strengthening our district and community through dedicated teamwork and collaboration.

Operating under the Finance Division, the department works in close partnership with schools, departments, and program offices to support the effective implementation of grants and contracts. Once a grant is awarded, a dedicated Grant Management team member is assigned to provide technical assistance and ensure adherence to all fiscal and compliance obligations. Staff roles include a Director, Legislative Projects Manager, Grants Manager, Grant Coordinator, Fund Specialists, and Grant Technicians—each trained to support various aspects of grant and contract administration.

The department’s work is organized into three key areas:

• Grant Writing and Pre-Award Services: The District Grants Manager provides guidance on proposal development and alignment with district goals, oversees the internal pre-approval process, and supports submission to external funders.

• Legislative Projects: This team manages capital outlay and other state-funded projects secured through legislative appropriations, ensuring compliance and collaboration between schools and elected officials.

• Post-Award Grant Management: Fiscal monitoring and compliance oversight begin immediately following award notification, with responsibilities including budget management, expenditure tracking, accurate coding, and reimbursement processing.

All grant-funded initiatives must comply with district policies and procedures, including those related to procurement, hiring, compensation, and research involving students or staff. Additionally, unless specifically agreed upon in the grant application, APS is not obligated to provide additional resources or sustain grant-funded activities beyond the award period.

Grants Management - Goals & Expectations

Department Goals

1. Support Student Success Through Strategic Funding
   Collaborate in aligning grant opportunities with APS Board of Education Goals and Guardrails and identified key educational priorities such as student achievement, equity, mental health, teacher development, and digital access.
2. Ensure Compliance with Education Funding Regulations
   Maintain strict adherence to federal, state, local and district grant requirements to protect funding and program integrity.
3. Maximize Use of Available Funds
   Ensure timely, full, and purposeful use of funds to support school and district goals — minimizing unspent balances or reversion.
4. Streamline Grant Processes for Schools and Staff
   Create accessible, user-friendly systems for applying, tracking, and managing grants that reduce administrative burden.
5. Provide Training and Implementation Support
   Equip school leaders, and departments with the knowledge to manage grant funds effectively and in compliance.
6. Measure and Improve Impact
   Collaborate in monitoring the effectiveness of grant-funded programs and use data to inform decisions that drive positive educational outcomes.
7. Foster Internal and External Collaboration
   Support partnerships across departments and with community organizations to deliver coordinated, impactful, and innovative grant-funded programs.

Department Expectations

• Compliance-Driven Management
  Operate with full alignment to federal, state, local, and institutional policies (e.g., EDGAR, UGG).
• Timely & Accurate Reporting
  Meet all internal and external reporting deadlines with complete and reliable data.
• Clear Communication with Stakeholders
  Provide proactive guidance, updates, and support to schools, departments, and partners.
• Equitable Access to Funding
  Collaborate in insuring fairness and transparency in competitive and formula-based grant distribution.
• Transparent Documentation & Tracking
  Maintain audit-ready records and full lifecycle documentation for every grant.
• Culture of Service & Accountability
  Serve as a responsive, knowledgeable, and integrity-driven resource for all grant-related efforts.

The Grant Management Department is located at the Alice and Bruce King Educational Complex, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE, Suite 310 East, Albuquerque, NM.

We are committed to ensuring that all grant funds are managed responsibly and aligned with the mission and priorities of Albuquerque Public Schools.