Grants Manager

Hesed House • Aurora, IL

1d • $67,000 - $82,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This is more than a grant writing job. It is a chance to change lives by securing the public and private investment that fuels Hesed House's programs and services. The Grants Manager is a critical member of our Development Team, responsible for managing and significantly growing our grants portfolio and revenue through the research, cultivation, writing, and submission of federal, state, and local government, foundation, and corporate grants. The ideal candidate is a skilled writer and researcher who can translate complex programs into compelling, fundable narratives, and who takes pride in the discipline of deadlines, compliance, and follow-through. You will be someone who understands that every proposal and every report is ultimately in service of the people we serve.

Requirements

• Five years of grant writing or professional writing experience, preferably in a nonprofit environment — this experience is essential
• Proven track record researching, writing, and securing federal, state, local government, foundation, and corporate grants
• Exceptional research skills, identifying and evaluating the funders and opportunities that best align with Hesed House's needs
• Thoughtful project management experience, with strong attention to detail and the ability to execute under deadline pressure
• Experience working with donor CRM databases; Raiser's Edge NXT experience a plus
• Familiarity with grant management platforms such as Instrumentl or Grant Assist a plus
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to convey complex projects in a compelling and persuasive manner
• Strong verbal communication skills; confident and gracious representing Hesed House with funders and partners
• Proficiency with MS Office — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams
• A deep desire to serve — you are energized by connecting funders with a cause that truly changes lives
• Exceptional interpersonal skills; you build trust naturally and enjoy engaging with diverse individuals and organizations
• Comfort and enthusiasm working within a faith-based organization while engaging effectively with secular partners and funders
• A collaborative spirit combined with self-motivation and the ability to work independently with excellence
• Outstanding organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple deadlines, applications, and reporting requirements while maintaining attention to critical details.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment; brings strong problem-solving instincts and a positive, can-do attitude
• Curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset — always asking how we can grow our grants revenue more effectively
• Embraces change, including leveraging appropriate tools like AI.
• Must pass DCFS and criminal background checks
• Must be able to comfortably and consistently navigate stairs
• Must be able to move donations and materials as needed

Nice To Haves

• Raiser's Edge NXT experience a plus
• Familiarity with grant management platforms such as Instrumentl or Grant Assist a plus

Responsibilities

• Write, prepare, and submit public and private grant proposals, letters of inquiry, reports, and related correspondence, with a major emphasis on public and governmental grant submissions
• Lead the development of successful grant proposals and contracts, coordinating input across program and operations staff as needed
• Translate seemingly complex programs and data into a compelling and persuasive case for support
• Maintain a current writing sample and portfolio of successful proposals for internal reference
• Manage private funder reporting and compliance from start to finish, coordinating and engaging internal partners from program and operations departments
• Partner with colleagues on reporting and compliance for government grants
• Maintain a calendar of applications, reports, and other key dates to ensure timely completion and submission
• Update and maintain a database of external funders and prospects
• Attend meetings with project teams, funders and potential funders, and partnering organizations, and prepare team members for meetings with external funders
• Assist in managing and cultivating relationships with existing and prospective funders
• Identify and research public, governmental, corporate, foundation, and other funding opportunities
• Expand the pool of public and governmental grant prospects to ensure a continuous revenue stream
• Maintain familiarity with the philanthropic community that supports homelessness and stay current on funding trends
• Participate in the development of short-term and long-term fundraising planning
• Play an active supporting role in major fundraising initiatives, including our signature Derby event
• Bring a collaborative, solutions-focused spirit to every project and every team interaction

Benefits

• Retirement plan with organizational match to help you plan for the future.
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, personal time, and holidays.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first full month of employment.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health care and dependent care.
• Life insurance coverage at no cost to employees.
• Access to counseling and therapy services.
• Health and wellness reimbursement program to support your personal well-being.
• Cell phone reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed