Grant Writer

Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired•Chicago, IL
•$65,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with corporate, foundation, and government funding partners, managing prospect identification, grant development and reporting, and the application process, advocating/spreading awareness about the agency. Responsible for writing proposals for both operating revenue and restricted projects and for submitting timely and accurate reports for existing and new grants. Manages a portfolio of existing funders, stewarding relationships, and managing deadlines for reporting and renewals. Roughly 10% of time will be spent in personal visits with corporate/foundation funders or program officers. This position will occasionally require evening and weekend time.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of four years grant writing experience or transferable experience
  • Previous experience with non-profit fundraising
  • Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel software
  • Excellent writing skills and communication skills
  • Collaborates well with supervisor and management, as well as cross-departmentally with program leaders, in addition to working well independently
  • Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers and to represent the organization to donors and friends in a gracious, professional manner
  • A commitment to our mission of providing opportunities for people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, and Veterans is essential

Nice To Haves

  • knowledge of Raiser’s Edge donor base software a plus

Responsibilities

  • Conducting the full range of activities required to research, prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals to foundations, corporate and government sources
  • Perform prospect research to evaluate prospects for corporate foundation, and government grants
  • Research and strategically identify a number of new funding proposals each year, partnering with program leads to conceptualize and craft proposals with executive input
  • Submit approximately 35 proposals per year to corporate, foundation and governmental funders
  • Comply with all grant reporting as required by foundation/Corporate/government funders
  • Prepare and submit accountability/stewardship reports to funders as required
  • Help manage an effective tracking system for proposal deadlines and follow up reports
  • Maintain current records in database and in files, including grant tracking and reporting
  • Maintain regular personal contact with past and current funding partners
  • Make regular visits to prospective funders and arrange for and coordinate site visits with funder representatives (in person or virtually)
  • Develop appropriate recognition and manages the timely acknowledgment of grants received
  • Assist in soliciting sponsorship support for select agency events
  • Assist the President, Chief Advancement Officer and Vice President - Grant Development with funder visits and strategies
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues on overall fundraising strategy planning
  • Maintain and enhance knowledge of best practices in the field
  • Assist in other activities as requested by the Advancement department
  • Any other duties as deemed necessary by the Supervisor

Benefits

  • 10 days paid vacation
  • 12 paid holidays
  • 6 sick days accrued over the year
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance offered
  • Short/long term disability
  • Life insurance 2x salary
  • Employee recognition events
  • Company matched 401(k) plan
  • Reasonably priced delicious food options on site (except at Glenview location)
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