Grants Associate

EASTERSEALS CENTRAL ILLINOIS • Peoria, IL

8d • Onsite

About The Position

For over 100 years, Easterseals Central Illinois has been helping children with developmental delays, disabilities, and other special needs to reach their full potential. The vision that drives us into our second century of service is a future in which all children are 100% Included. 100% Empowered.

Requirements

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare compelling proposals and clear reports.
• Analytical skills to interpret data, budgets, and funder requirements for alignment with organizational goals.
• Knowledge of human services program development and delivery, with the ability to link funding opportunities to program needs.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and cultivate potential funding sources across government, corporate, and foundation sectors.
• Proficiency in managing the full lifecycle of grants, including proposal development, budget preparation, compliance monitoring, and reporting.
• Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfort learning new grant management or CRM systems.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively across departments and build strong relationships with internal and external partners.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field, preferred.
• Two or more years of experience in grant writing, fundraising, or grants management preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Research and evaluate potential funding sources, including new opportunities.
• Develop and implement a long-term grant strategy that aligns with organizational priorities.
• Maintain a master calendar of deadlines, proposals, and reporting requirements.
• Prepare compelling and accurate grant proposals in collaboration with internal teams.
• Analyze funder requirements and facilitate program concept discussions.
• Coordinate the full grant writing process to ensure timely submission.
• Track awarded grants, monitor expenditures, and prepare financial and progress reports.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with all grant regulations and reporting obligations.
• Collaborate with leadership on budget development and annual audits.
• Maintain effective relationships with funders, auditors, internal staff, and external partners.
• Serve as liaison with community organizations as appropriate.
• All other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Vacation, Sick, and Personal time
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care
• Long-Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Coverage
• Life Insurance: Both Employer Paid and Employee Paid options are available
• 401(K) with employer match
• Easterseals qualifies for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program

What This Job Offers

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