Assistant Director of Institutional Giving

Careers In Nonprofits • Chicago, IL

20d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Institutional Giving supports fundraising strategy and manages relationships with foundation funders, primarily for civic and community initiatives. The role leads grant proposal and report development, coordinates deadlines and submissions, and works with program, finance, and leadership teams to communicate the impact of the organization’s work. The position calls for an experienced grant writer and project manager who can turn complex program information into compelling funding proposals, build funder relationships, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

The role is based in Chicago, with a hybrid arrangement, or may be remote from DC, MD, or VA. Remote employees must travel to the Chicago office four times per year. It is a permanent, full-time position scheduled for 40 hours per week, reporting to the Director of Foundation Relations. Compensation is $80,000–$90,000 annually.

Requirements

• 5–8 years of relevant professional experience in nonprofit development, philanthropy, foundation relations, civic or community institutions, or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience reaching out to national organizations for funding.
• Established experience in civic giving, foundation giving, and institutional giving.
• Experience with foundation grant writing, grants management, and/or fundraising strategy.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, including the ability to develop clear, persuasive, and engaging funding narratives.
• Strong project management skills and ability to coordinate multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability and willingness to learn and use Salesforce and other organizational systems.
• Ability to build relationships, collaborate across teams, and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with religious diversity, pluralism, and inclusion.
• Experience in the civic sector, including community engagement, leadership development, or democracy initiatives.
• Experience working with foundation funders and translating program goals into compelling proposals and impact reports.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of foundation prospects and funders, support cultivation and stewardship activities, and identify funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Lead the development of letters of inquiry, concept notes, and grant proposals with program, advancement, finance, and senior leadership teams.
• Prepare interim and final grant reports, coordinating with internal teams to ensure accurate information, compelling impact stories, and timely submissions.
• Develop fundraising strategies with senior leaders, maintain proposal calendars, track deadlines, and coordinate projects from planning through submission.
• Work with program leaders to understand initiatives, goals, outcomes, and learning priorities, and translate them into clear funding narratives.
• Prepare briefing documents, program updates, and other materials for funders and external stakeholders; coordinate meetings and communications to strengthen relationships.
• Maintain accurate funder records, strategy documents, and reporting information using Salesforce, SharePoint, and other organizational systems.
• Collaborate with the Grants Compliance and Reporting Manager and other team members to monitor financial reporting, deliverables, and funder requirements.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, with employee-only premiums fully covered.
• Retirement plan.
• Generous paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior