Development & Grant Writing Consultant

cjc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago Jobs Council is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Development & Grant Writing Consultant to support core fundraising operations. This contractor will focus on grant research, proposal writing, funder reporting, and database management to ensure CJC maintains consistent funding.

The role collaborates with the CEO and program leaders to develop concept notes, narratives, and dashboards for funders and board meetings, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in all deliverables.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of nonprofit grant writing, prospect research, and grant management.
• Experience in workforce development, human services, or policy advocacy in Illinois/Chicago is a strong plus.
• Excellent persuasive writing and editing, budgeting literacy, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Prospect research and pipeline development for local, regional, and national funders.
• Write and edit grant applications, LOIs, proposals, budgets, and reports.
• Monitor active grants and ensure deliverables, reporting, and compliance.

Skills

Persuasive writing

Editing

Budgeting

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) is a workforce development intermediary that keeps jobseekers at the center of all we do. CJC advocates for jobseekers, by researching current pressing matters for the field, develop recommendations and share them broadly to create systemic change. CJC builds capacity for the workforce development field, by developing curriculum that’s offered through trainings, cohort learning and leadership academies based on our research of best practices. CJC influences City, State and Federal Policies related to increasing funding for our public workforce system, creating equitable pathways and eliminating barriers to employment. Our Mission: Together with community and institutional leaders, Chicago Jobs Council is re‑imagining our workforce system so all people can thrive through employment. Our Vision is to create an anti‑racist workforce development system and employment equity so that everyone can realize their unique pathway out of poverty. of all we do. CJC advocates for jobseekers, by researching current pressing matters for the field, develop recommendations and share them broadly to create systemic change. CJC builds capacity for the workforce development field, by developing curriculum that’s offered through trainings, cohort learning and leadership academies based on our research of best practices. CJC influences City, State and Federal Policies related to increasing funding for our public workforce system, creating equitable pathways and eliminating barriers to employment. Our Mission: Together with community and institutional leaders, Chicago Jobs Council is re‑imagining our workforce system so all people can thrive through employment. Our Vision is to create an anti‑racist workforce development system and employment equity so that everyone can realize their unique pathway out of poverty.

Position Summary

Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Development & Grant Writing Consultant to support core fundraising operations. This contractor will focus on grant research, proposal writing, funder reporting, and database management to ensure CJC maintains consistent funding.

Key Responsibilities & Deliverables

• Prospect Research & Pipeline Development
  • Proactively research, identify, and evaluate new local, regional, and national foundation, corporate, and government grant opportunities aligned with CJC's mission.
  • Maintain and update CJC’s funding calendar to ensure all deadlines, reporting requirements, and renewal opportunities are met.
• Proposal Development & Grant Writing
  • Write, edit, and submit persuasive grant applications, letters of inquiry (LOIs), proposals, budget narratives and reports for foundation, corporate and public funders.
  • Collaborate with the CEO and Programmatic Leadership team for special campaigns & strategy sessions to develop proposal concepts and narratives that may include data, program metrics, and operational details.
• Grant Management & Compliance
  • Monitor active grants to ensure all programmatic deliverables, reporting milestones, and financial compliance standards are met.
  • Work with the Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives to submit comprehensive progress reports to funders and dashboard reporting for board meetings.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 3+ years of proven success in nonprofit grant writing, prospect research, and grant management (experience within workforce development, human services, or policy advocacy in Illinois/Chicago is a strong plus).
• Skills: Excellent persuasive writing & editing skills, budgeting literacy, organizational skills, and strict attention to detail.
• Commitment to CJC’s mission and vision.