Grant Review Consultant (MF)

McCormick Foundation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 62,000; Part time

Job summary

McCormick Foundation’s Democracy Program seeks an experienced Grant Review Consultant to review grants for the February docket, conduct site visits, and prepare written recommendations for a subset of the grants across youth, journalism, and public institutions.

This part-time assignment runs from Nov 1, 2019 through Mar 1, 2020, reports to the Director of the Democracy Program, and requires nonprofit experience, strong writing and presentation skills, and the ability to manage multiple

Qualifications

• Experience with nonprofits, especially in strategy and finance.
• Philanthropy experience preferred, especially in a grant review or administrative capacity.
• Excellent time and project management and attention to detail.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and experience building relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills with diverse constituencies.
• Demonstrated passion for the Foundation’s values with commitment to deliver results.
• All offers contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Review applications, including analyzing narratives and feasibility.
• Conduct site visits to inform final recommendations on grants.
• Draft written recommendations using the Foundation’s grant write-up template.
• Meet with staff and leadership to address questions about assigned applications.

Skills

Nonprofit experience

Grant review

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Our mission is to strengthen democracy in Illinois through informed and engaged citizens and communities, and responsive systems of government. The goals of the Democracy Program are that 1) youth are informed, actively participate in their communities, and have healthy civic dispositions; 2) local journalism is vigorous, independent, and effective at connecting and informing all levels of the democratic system; and 3) public institutions are inclusive, transparent, and accountable to the communities they serve.

Our strategy embodies a deep commitment to racial equity and serving under-resourced communities in Chicagoland. We seek to improve overall democratic outcomes and close the civic empowerment gap by providing resources, creating opportunities, and advocating for policies to address disparities for people of color.

Opportunity: Grant Review Consultant

The Democracy Program seeks an experienced consultant to review grants for the Program’s upcoming February 2020 docket, which includes, on average, 30-40 grants. The consultant will review, conduct site visits, and prepare written recommendations for a subset of the docket (estimated 10-20 grants) that may include requests in all three focus areas (youth, journalism, and public institutions). This is a part-time position tentatively scheduled for Nov 1, 2019 through March 1, 2020, and reports to the Director of the Democracy Program.

Responsibilities

• Review applications, which includes:
  • Analyzing narrative materials, such as theories of change, anticipated outcomes, and project workplans for feasibility and fit with Democracy Program goals
  • Assessing financial health and financial feasibility of proposed work
• Conduct site visits to address questions that emerge from application review and gather context to inform the final recommendation on the grant
• Draft written recommendations on each application, using the Foundation’s grant write-up template
• Meet in-person and correspond electronically with Foundation staff and leadership to address questions about assigned applications as part of the grant review process

Qualifications

• Experience working with nonprofits, especially on issues of strategy and finance
• Experience in philanthropy preferred, especially in a grant review or administrative capacity
• Exceptional time and project management skills and attention to detail
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and experience building relationships with multiple stakeholders by listening to new ideas, encouraging dialogue, and inspiring people to work towards common goals
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, particularly in communication with diverse constituencies in a variety of settings
• Demonstrated passion for the Foundation’s values with commitment to deliver results measured against the Foundation’s mission
• Basic computer skills, including use of Microsoft Office Suite
• All offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and drug screening