Data & Grants Associate

Alive Center, NFP; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Alive Center, a nonprofit in Naperville, seeks a Data & Development Associate to ensure accuracy of grant and impact data, manage reporting, and support development efforts. The role combines data analytics with storytelling to demonstrate impact to funders and partners.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, tech-savvy, proficient in Excel and CRM systems, and capable of coordinating across program and finance teams while meeting multiple deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 2+ years in grants administration or development.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading abilities.
• Advanced Excel and Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Experience with CRM/databases like DASH, Salesforce, Bloomerang, Virtuous, or Blackbaud.
• Ability to analyze data and communicate findings clearly.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Track grant deadlines, reporting requirements, and documentation.
• Prepare grant reports using program and financial data.
• Assist with researching and writing grant proposals.
• Maintain grant calendar and funding pipeline.
• Coordinate with program and finance staff for information.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements.
• Maintain program and participant data and create dashboards.
• Monitor data quality and suggest improvements.
• Support impact measurement and evaluation initiatives.
• Maintain donor and funder records.
• Assist with annual reports, fundraising campaigns, and board reporting.
• Assist with audits and compliance requests.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Data analysis

Data storytelling

Excel proficiency

CRM experience

Written communication

Deadline management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

DASH

Salesforce

Bloomerang

Virtuous

Blackbaud

Job description

About Alive Center
Alive Center is an award-winning, evidence-informed nonprofit that provides free, preventative mental health programming for teens. Through our Teen-Led, Teen-Driven™ model, we create safe, inclusive spaces where young people build leadership skills, develop resilience, and experience a true sense of belonging before crises emerge.

We're seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented Data & Development Associate who is passionate about using data to tell compelling stories, support fundraising efforts, and strengthen organizational impact.

Position Summary

The Data & Development Associate plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy, organization, and integrity of Alive Center's grant and impact data. This position manages grant reporting, collects and analyzes program outcomes, maintains development databases, supports grant writing efforts, and helps demonstrate the measurable impact of Alive's programs to funders and community partners.

The ideal candidate enjoys working behind the scenes, is incredibly tech-savvy, loves spreadsheets as much as storytelling, and thrives in a collaborative nonprofit environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Track all grant deadlines, reporting requirements, and award documentation.
• Prepare grant reports using program and financial data.
• Assist with researching and writing grant proposals.
• Maintain a grant calendar and funding pipeline.
• Coordinate with program and finance staff to gather required information.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements.

Data Management & Evaluation

• Maintain accurate program and participant data within organizational databases.
• Collect, organize, and analyze program outcomes.
• Create reports, dashboards, and data summaries for leadership and funders.
• Monitor data quality and recommend improvements to collection processes.
• Assist with impact measurement and evaluation initiatives.

Development Support

• Maintain donor and funder records.
• Prepare materials for donor meetings and stewardship.
• Assist with annual reports, fundraising campaigns, and board reporting.
• Support prospect research and funding opportunities.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Organize electronic grant files and documentation.
• Maintain templates, reporting tools, and internal systems.
• Assist with audits and compliance requests.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure accurate and timely information.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, public administration, business, data analytics, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
  2+ years of experience in grants administration, nonprofit development, database management, or program evaluation preferred.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading abilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.
• Experience with CRM/database systems (DASH, Salesforce, Bloomerang, Virtuous, Blackbaud, or similar) preferred.
• Ability to analyze data and communicate findings clearly.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.

Preferred Skills

• Grant administration, reporting, or related administrative experience.
• Experience with nonprofit outcome measurement.
• Knowledge of budgeting and grant compliance.
• Familiarity with data administration, survey platforms and reporting tools.
• Experience creating charts, graphs, and visual impact reports.

What Makes You Successful:

You are:

• Highly organized and dependable.
• Naturally curious and analytical.
• Passionate about using data to create impact.
• Comfortable working independently while collaborating across teams.
• Able to manage multiple priorities without sacrificing quality.
• Committed to confidentiality and data accuracy.
• Technologically savvy
• Flexible, collaborative, and positive attitude