Are you looking for a mission-driven non-profit where your skills can help people in need around the world? At the Jewish United Fund (JUF), we take pride in our mission and in having a work culture that fosters a sense of belonging and feels rewarding, supportive, and inclusive. We have a hybrid schedule and offer generous benefits including a 401(k) match, 22 days of paid time off, 11 sick days, and up to 21 paid holidays. The salary range for this role is $90,000-$100,000.
It is strongly encouraged to include a writing sample with your application.
What you’ll be responsible for:
The Director of Grants oversees day-to-day grant-seeking efforts with private and government funders, supervises staff, and provides program development support around new initiatives. You will develop and execute strategies to build capacity and raise money for programs and services that support JUF priorities, including the JUF Annual Campaign, JUF programs, and select initiatives at partner agencies.
What you’ll be doing:
Lead Grants Department
- Manage the lifecycle of grant activity, including overseeing grants calendar and submission of proposals, reports, and other correspondence in accordance with donor guidelines.
- Serve as lead writer for select priority programs.
- Implement best practices in grants management, prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Supervise and mentor 2-3 staff members and their portfolios.
- Oversee data entry into Salesforce donor database.
Collaboration with Internal Stakeholders
- Partner with and maintain positive working relationships with internal departments to develop and present programs that advance JUF priorities and are compelling to funders. This includes in person meetings, conversations, and check-ins.
- Work with program staff and Accounting Department to prepare budgets and understand revenue needs.
- Support JUF Campaign and mandatory in-person campaign-related activities on an ongoing basis.
Partnership with External Stakeholders
- Cultivate and steward funder relationships directly and amongst program staff.
- Develop strong working relationships with grant counterparts at JUF affiliated agencies.
What you need to succeed:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or minimum comparable work experience required.
- 5-7 years’ professional experience with increasing responsibilities.
- 2+ years’ experience grant writing for private foundations.
- Supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated experience working with individual donors and corporate/private foundations.
- Self-motivated, creative, adaptable, and able to implement new ideas.
- Excellent writing, planning, presentation, problem solving, and organizational skills to manage deadlines and shifting priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with both colleagues and lay leaders.
- Knowledge of and diverse experience with Jewish communal services preferred.
- Proficient in all Microsoft Office products.
- A sense of curiosity and desire to ask questions.
What you’ll love about us:
At JUF, you can be part of one of the largest non-profit social welfare institutions in Illinois. We provide food, refuge, healthcare, education, emergency assistance, and essential services to 500,000 Chicagoans of all faiths and millions of Jews around the world. We offer medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with base contribution and match, additional health and wellness benefits, financial benefits, professional training, tuition reimbursement, paid family leave, and much more. We have a flexible schedule with core hours and the ability to work from home / remote a few days per week on a hybrid basis.
