Grant Specialist
MISSION:
Gads Hill Center, a social service organization established in 1898, creates opportunities for children and their families to build a better life through education, access to resources and community engagement.
At Gads Hill Center we envision a community in which all children benefit from healthy, financially stable households that support their early learning and growth. We invest in the potential of children and families through early childhood education, youth programs, and mental health supports. Ultimately, Gads Hill Center builds a community where all families can help their children have access to quality education to succeed in school and life.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Grant Specialist is responsible for all aspects of Gads Hill Center’s solicitation of philanthropic support from corporations, foundations, and government sources. The Grant Specialist must have excellent communication and presentation skills, the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and demonstrate commitment to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and sustainable growth.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Achieves the annual fund-raising goal for corporate and foundation giving, as agreed upon in strategy planning with the Director of Development.
- Develops proposals and reports for select government agencies.
- Works closely with program staff to conceptualize, write and/or edit requests for funding and carry out the documentation required by prospective funders. Reviews all proposal budgets with CFO. Works with program evaluation staff to produce quantitative and qualitative data required for grant reporting. Provides timely reports and financial tracking of grants to funding sources.
- Develops and maintains professional relationships with corporate and foundation program officers before, during and after grant cycles.
- Arranges and coordinates cultivation, stewardship, and recognition activities such as on-site signage, recognition in publications and on-site visits for corporate sponsors and donors.
- Maintains current demographic data as well as information on issues and trends of the communities Gads Hill Center serves.
- Writes corporate sponsorship packages, assisting in the solicitation of corporate sponsors for special events.
- Assists with the development of the annual report and completes other writing projects as assigned.
- Represents Gads Hill Center in a variety of internal and external conversations and meetings with foundation and corporate officers.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university plus three years of experience in development.
- Proven grant writing experience and success in obtaining grants.
- Experience working in collaboration with data management and program teams.
- Experience working with communities similar to Gads Hill Center’s service areas.
- Knowledge of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and techniques.
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
- Track record of exhibiting strong initiative and ability to work both independently and collaboratively to achieve goals.
- Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for diverse number of projects and to complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision.
- Highly organized and exceptional attention to details and deadlines.
- Excellent computer fluency, effectively utilize Microsoft Office
- Ability to pass a criminal background check and child abuse/neglect registry check.
BENEFITS:
- Competitive Salaries
- Generous Paid Time Off
- 403B Plan (Up to 5% match following 2 years of employment)
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employer Paid Short Term/Long Term Disability
- Employer Paid Life Insurance
- Supplemental Coverage Options Available
POSITION DETAILS:
- Salary Range: $50,000-$56,000
- Schedule: Full time
- Location: 1919 W. Cullerton Chicago, IL 60608
