Director of Foundation Relations & Grants

Greater Chicago Food Depository; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

On-site gym

403(b) retirement plan with employer >

Job summary

Greater Chicago Food Depository in Chicago, IL seeks a Director of Foundation Relations & Grants to lead foundation and institutional fundraising, partner with senior leadership, and manage the Foundation Relations team to deliver grant development, data-driven decisions, and measurable impact.

The role drives multi-year funding strategies, portfolio management of 50–75 relationships, proposal reviews, donor communications, and executive reporting to advance revenue and community outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 7–10 years in fundraising required.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Track record of meeting fundraising revenue goals.
• Strong project and time management capabilities.
• Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office.
• Experience with StratusLIVE or similar CRM.
• Excellent presentation and interpersonal communication.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Foundation Relations team and grant-writing resources.
• Develop donor engagement plans and manage a 50–75 portfolio.
• Translate data into fundraising strategy and executive-ready reports.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to pursue funding opportunities.
• Review proposals, reports, and donor communications for impact.

Skills

Project management

Time management

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Communications

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

StratusLIVE

CRM

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary

The Director of Foundation Relations & Grants provides strategic leadership and day‑to‑day management of the foundation and institutional partners of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. This role shares responsibility with the Senior Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations for donor engagement, portfolio strategy, grant development, data‑informed decision‑making, and team leadership. This role is expected to supervise and mentor the Foundation Relations team in alignment with our organizational values and strategic goals.

Strategic Leadership & Thinking

• Create strategies that significantly increase foundation, government, and institutional funding through multi‑year partnerships.
• Partner with the Senior Director to translate data, insights, and fundraising performance into clear plans, priorities, and results.
• Think broadly about donor engagement, grant strategy, portfolio performance, and revenue growth.
• Maintain a strong focus on impact and meaningful outcomes.

Team Leadership & Management

• Manage and mentor the Foundation Relations team, including grant‑writing resources.
• Provide coaching, accountability, and strategic guidance.
• Support professional growth while ensuring execution against goals and standards.
• Monitor team progress through KPIs, portfolio performance, and revenue goals.
• Partner with the Senior Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations to foster a collaborative, results‑oriented team culture.

Donor Engagement & Portfolio Strategy

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 50–75 foundation, institution, and government funding relationships.
• Lead cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, renewal, and recognition strategies for foundation and institutional partners.
• Recommend and support strategy development for foundation relationships in collaboration with the Senior Director and cross‑functional partners.
• Oversee development and implementation of donor engagement and stewardship plans.
• Review and approve proposals, reports, grant agreements, and donor communications.
• Ensure all proposals and reports accurately communicate organizational impact.
• Track relationship activity and donor strategy in StratusLIVE.

Data Analysis, Insights & Executive Reporting

• Develop, analyze, and interpret fundraising data to surface insights and trends across pipelines, portfolios, donors, grants, and campaigns.
• Translate data related to budgets, forecasting, and pipelines into concise, actionable insights that support planning and decision‑making.
• Work closely with the Senior Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations to create clear narratives that accompany data for executive audiences.
• Prepare high‑quality reports and presentations for executive leadership and board audiences.
• Track foundation revenue goals and support annual budgeting, forecasting, and long‑range revenue planning.
• Use portfolio and pipeline analysis to identify funding gaps, renewal risks, growth opportunities, and strategic priorities.
• Ensure data is used to shape plans rather than simply being reported.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Individual Giving, Corporate Relations, Marketing & Communications, Community Impact, Finance, and other leaders to identify funding opportunities.
• Collaborate on donor engagement and stewardship strategies when funders have relationships across multiple fundraising programs.
• Support executive leadership, board, and team to address institutional funder reporting needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 7–10 years of fundraising experience required.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Demonstrated success in hitting philanthropic revenue goals and milestones.
• Strong project management and time management skills.
• Advanced computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with StratusLIVE or other CRM.
• Strong presentation, communications, and interpersonal skills a must.
• Flexibility and sense of humor; thrives in a fast‑paced working environment.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Employer‑paid life and disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Generous paid time off.
• Parental leave.
• On‑site gym.
• $3,000 annual employer‑paid ThrivePass lifestyle and wellness benefit program.
• $250 employee referral bonus.