Grant Writer

Job Details
Job Location
Greater Chicago Food Depository - Chicago, IL
Position Type
Full Time
Education Level
Not Specified
Salary Range
$65,000.00 - $70,000.00
Job Shift
Day
Description
Overview
The Grant Writer will support institutional giving efforts at the Food Depository by writing narratives for corporate, foundation, organization and select government grants under the direction of the Grants Manager and the Director of Foundation Relations. The Grant Writer will complete grant submissions, including narratives, budgets and other materials as requested by the donor in partnership with other teams, as needed. The individual will collaborate with team members across the organization to maintain updated knowledge of the Food Depository's current programs and emerging work. The successful candidate will be familiar with Chicago's philanthropic landscape and possess strong relationship-building, project management and strategic thinking skills.
Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions
Writing

• Prepares clear, compelling, and competitive narratives for corporate, foundation, organization and select government grant applications, LOIs, and reports. These narratives must be tailored to each funder's focus areas, mission, specifications, and deadlines. Expectations are to complete 10-25 deadlines per month based on donor requirements.
• Obtains supporting information and documentation from cross-department colleagues, such as program budgets and/or data, and translate that information in a way that will persuade the prospective donor.
• Provides support, information, and background materials in preparation for donor meetings to advance grant prospects.
• Adopts strength-based messaging that centers partners/community voice and emphasizes ending hunger.

Administrative

• Attends webinars and information sessions about upcoming opportunities as appropriate, and reports out on opportunity to appropriate team members.
• Utilizes CRM database to record and track deadlines, relationship contacts, notes, correspondence and other details.
• Conducts fact finding to locate supporting statistics to craft compelling and current issue statements for grant proposals.
• Supports internal coordination of grant communications across departments.

Qualifications
Qualifications/Skills

• Two or more years of successful grant writing experience and demonstrated project management skills required
• Ability to execute 10-25 grant deadlines per month, including both proposals and reports, and all required supplemental materials
• Excellent knowledge of proposal/reports submissions and fundraising processes in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to study and understand programs and funding requirements of the organization
• Self-starting work habits, problem-solving, time management, and multitasking skills required
• Strong attention to detail, particularly regarding funder specifications and deadlines
• Committed to an organizational mission to end hunger
• Working knowledge and understanding of poverty-related issues and a thoughtfulness to the impact of hunger on Cook County
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive interpersonal relationships, take initiative, set priorities, and handle multiple relationships efficiently and effectively.
• Proficiency with MS Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Experience with database management, Raiser's Edge and StratusLIVE a plus
• Ability to translate research data into an easy to understand format
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid setting
• Writing sample required