Grants Specialist

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

Job summary

Jobtailor in Chicago is seeking a Grants Administrator to support the Institutional Giving Team with grant writing, reporting, and donor communications.

The role involves coordinating timelines, preparing proposals and budgets, performing basic data analysis, and maintaining donor records. Strong writing and project management skills, plus experience with CRM systems, are required.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of grants administration and/or government grant experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience; High School Diploma/GED required.
• Grant writing experience in nonprofit/philanthropic settings.
• Ability to think and solve problems creatively.
• Strong project and time management; highly organized and detail oriented.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Enjoy working independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Experience with Salesforce or CRM systems (Raiser's Edge, DonorPerfect) desired.
• Advanced Excel and ability to learn new systems quickly.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the institutional giving team in grant writing and grant reporting duties, gathering information from program staff to articulate project goals, activities, outcomes, and more.
• Write and edit compelling letters of intent, grant proposals, and reports for submission, assembling documentation and budgets.
• Perform basic data analysis and visualization as necessary for grant reporting.
• Ensure grant proposal and reporting timelines are on track, meeting deadlines.
• Assist in coordinating site visits and donor meetings, creating briefing memos and meeting agendas.
• Conduct prospect research on current, lapsed, and prospective institutional and corporate giving partners.
• Create research briefings for the Institutional Giving Team to review potential funding opportunities.
• Maintain accurate records on current donors and potential donors, supporting ongoing activity and future fundraising plans, tracking, and reporting.
• Ensure program staff are up-to-date and aware of grant requirements, accountable to funders.
• Demonstrate understanding of PPIL protocols, policies, procedures, and core values, practicing them in relations with internal and external customers.
• Provide ongoing support to program and finance staff related to grant administration and organizational policies.
• Develop and maintain a basic grants management manual, communicating policies, procedures, and updates appropriately.
• Maintain foundations records, grants calendar, and related management platforms using Salesforce, NetSuite, and other online databases.
• Coordinate review, execution, and filing of grant agreements in collaboration with the legal department and executive leadership.
• Assist the Development Data and Operations Manager with institutional gift processing, entry, and acknowledgement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Grant writing

Project management

Time management

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Advanced Excel

Microsoft Office

Data visualization

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Salesforce

Raiser's Edge

DonorPerfect

Job description

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the institutional giving team in grant writing and grant reporting duties, gathering information from program staff to articulate project goals, activities, outcomes, and more.
• Write and edit compelling letters of intent, grant proposals, and reports for submission, assembling documentation and budgets.
• Perform basic data analysis and visualization as necessary for grant reporting.
• Ensure grant proposal and reporting timelines are on track, meeting deadlines.
• Assist in coordinating site visits and donor meetings, creating briefing memos and meeting agendas.
• Conduct prospect research on current, lapsed, and prospective institutional and corporate giving partners.
• Create research briefings for the Institutional Giving Team to review potential funding opportunities.
• Maintain accurate records on current donors and potential donors, supporting ongoing activity and future fundraising plans, tracking, and reporting.
• Ensure program staff are up-to-date and aware of grant requirements, accountable to funders.
• Demonstrate understanding of PPIL protocols, policies, procedures, and core values, practicing them in relations with internal and external customers.
• Provide ongoing support to program and finance staff related to grant administration and organizational policies.
• Develop and maintain a basic grants management manual, communicating policies, procedures, and updates appropriately.
• Maintain foundations records, grants calendar, and related management platforms using Salesforce, NetSuite, and other online databases.
• Coordinate review, execution, and filing of grant agreements in collaboration with the legal department and executive leadership.
• Assist the Development Data and Operations Manager with institutional gift processing, entry, and acknowledgement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 2+ years of experience with grants administration and/or compliance (government grant experience) preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience preferred; High School Diploma/GED required.
• Grant writing experience required in a nonprofit or philanthropic setting.
• Ability to think and problem-solve creatively.
• Strong project management and time management skills; highly organized and detail oriented.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work among people with a wide range of cultural backgrounds, training and experience.
• Enjoy working independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office required (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
• Experience with Salesforce.com or other CRM systems (Raisers’ Edge, Donor Perfect) desired.
• Technology skills must include expert-level Excel, and other Microsoft Office programs, and a strong ability to evaluate and learn new systems.