Grantmaking and Stewardship Director

Community Foundation East Central Illinois; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Foundation of East Central Illinois seeks a Grantmaking and Stewardship Director to lead annual grantmaking and scholarship cycles, ensuring donor intent, CFECI policy, and best practices. The role travels within the service area and reports to the CEO.

The position will advance stewardship, develop an impact reporting framework, and oversee data management and reporting across the organization, collaborating with donors and nonprofits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or minimum three years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with proven problem-solving ability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• High attention to detail, professionalism, and discretion with confidential information.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, databases, online application platforms, and virtual meeting tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage competitive grant/scholarship cycles from application through final reporting.
• Maintain grant/scholarship applications and reporting platforms.
• Review applications for eligibility, completeness, and compliance, and conduct due diligence.
• Prepare materials for review committees, donor meetings, and Board review.
• Coordinate review meetings, award notifications, and grant agreements.
• Monitor grant/scholarship reports, payment schedules, deadlines, and outcomes.
• Serve as the main contact for applicants, families, schools, counselors, and committee members.
• Build relationships with nonprofits, educators, donors, volunteers, and community partners.
• Maintain accurate records for nonprofits, grantees, scholarship recipients, and applicants.
• Generate reports, correspondence, and program materials.
• Design and implement a stewardship and impact reporting framework for the enterprise.
• Partner with staff to steward donors and share the impact of their giving.

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Written and verbal communication

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Discretion with confidential info

Independent and collaborative work

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Databases

Online application platforms

Virtual meeting tools

Job description

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS

The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois (CFECI) turns generosity into lasting impact across a nine-county region. We connect people who care with causes that matter. We manage charitable funds that strengthen nonprofits, empower donors, and open doors for students, today and for generations to come.

Our work rests on a promise of permanence. We invest endowed funds for long-term growth, so each gift keeps providing support year after year. Unrestricted funds let us respond as community needs change. Through the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, we help local organizations build the leadership, governance, and capacity they need to last.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Grantmaking and Stewardship Director joins an intimate, collaborative team that takes pride in careful, transparent stewardship and in building relationships rooted in trust. We value the perspectives each colleague brings, support one another's growth, and share a long-term commitment to a stronger, more connected East Central Illinois.

This position leads CFECI's annual competitive grantmaking and scholarship cycles, managing each one from application through award and final reporting. The director ensures every award honors donor intent, CFECI policy, and philanthropic best practices. The role will also build on our current stewardship and impact reporting system, leading grant, scholarship, and stewardship practices across the organization.

This position is expected to travel within the CFECI service area with availability for occasional evening and weekend hours to attend events and trainings. The successful candidate will contribute to cross-functional initiatives and pursue ongoing professional development and report to the CEO.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grant/Scholarship Program Administration

• Manage competitive grant/scholarship cycles from application through final reporting.
• Maintain grant/scholarship applications and reporting platforms.
• Review applications for eligibility, completeness, and compliance, and conduct due diligence.
• Prepare materials for review committees, donor meetings, and Board review.
• Coordinate review meetings, award notifications, and grant agreements.
• Monitor grant/scholarship reports, payment schedules, deadlines, and outcomes.
• Serve as the main contact for applicants, families, schools, counselors, and committee members.
• Build relationships with nonprofits, educators, donors, volunteers, and community partners.

Data Management and Stewardship Impact Reporting

• Maintain accurate records for nonprofits, grantees, scholarship recipients, and applicants.
• Generate reports, correspondence, and program materials.
• Design and implement a stewardship and impact reporting framework for the enterprise.
• Partner with staff to steward donors and share the impact of their giving.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or minimum three years of relevant professional experience
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with proven problem-solving ability
• Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills
• High attention to detail, professionalism, and discretion with confidential information
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, databases, online application platforms, and virtual meeting tools
• Commitment to learning, listening to, and serving the community
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions of the position.
• Residence within CFECI’s nine-county service area
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend events, and willingness to travel to schools, award ceremonies, conferences, and workshops
• Valid driver’s license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience building a comprehensive stewardship or impact reporting program
• Experience with grants management or scholarship administration, including related software (e.g., Razor’s Edge, Foundant/CommunitySuite, Blackbaud, etc)
• Experience working in a nonprofit or community foundation
• Advanced degree, or a bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Event planning and meeting coordination experience