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, up to 22 days of paid time off (starting with 15), up to 11 sick days (starting with 7), and up to 21 paid holidays. The salary range for this role is $65,000-$75,000.
What you’ll be responsible for:
You'll be part of a team that works on planning, engagement, and resource allocation in line with JUF’s Human Service, Jewish Education & Continuity, and Israel & Overseas priorities. You will support community planning processes, be responsible for grants management, work on data visualization to tell a compelling need/impact story and provide a high level of customer service in interactions with lay leaders, applicants, and grantee organizations. Our ideal candidate is highly organized and detail-oriented, an effective communicator, capable of identifying and implementing opportunities for process improvements, and able to manage diverse, concurrent tasks.
What you’ll be doing:
- Help manage the Planning & Allocations (P&A) department’s grant-making portfolio life cycle from start to finish including but not limited to: developing and disseminating grant guidelines, establishing scoring criteria, training volunteer leadership, providing technical assistance during the application and review process, facilitation of grant awards, progress reporting and maintenance of grant compliance.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of each grant process, including the effectiveness of the tools used and information collected. Make recommendations for how JUF grants processes can be better enhanced and streamlined across the P&A commissions and the organization as a whole. Propose and implement modifications as appropriate.
- Serve as point of contact for grant-related inquiries, providing guidance and support to potential and current grantees in partnership with Commission staff.
- Coordinate with P&A team and Accounting colleagues on tracking of grant award letters, contracts, and other necessary documentation, along with data entry in Salesforce.
- Support JUF Commission and Overall Planning and Allocations Committee (OPAC) related planning objectives by conducting research, assisting in targeted aspects of meeting design, attending stakeholder meetings, and drafting written summaries and reports.
- Use discretion and independent judgement in performing all aspects of the position.
- Support the annual planning and coordination of the P&A grants work across Commissions and other JUF departments.
- With guidance from the P&A team, summarize key data related to community need and system impact through the development of charts, slides, and the design of other visual materials.
- Collaborate with other JUF departments who oversee grant work, to ensure alignment in messaging, processes, timelines, and outcomes when appropriate.
- Assist colleagues in preparing and designing convenings to highlight funded programs and outcomes.
- Contribute to creating written materials and reports for committee and Board meetings, news articles, and other communications.
- Support local crisis response grants as needed and in partnership and coordination with other JUF departments.
- Represent the work of the P&A department with other JUF departments and partner organizations where appropriate.
- Stay up to date on trends in the grantmaking field in coordination with JUF Grants team and with a particular focus on local Jewish funders.
- Support JUF Campaign and mandatory campaign-related activities on an ongoing basis.
What you need to succeed:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3-5 years of experience in community planning, administration, grants management, and/or program development.
- Excellent attention to detail with strong project management skills.
- Strong relationship building, interpersonal, organizational, written, and oral communication skills, including the ability to listen, ask effective questions, and synthesize multiple inputs from diverse stakeholders with sensitivity, diplomacy, and professionalism.
- Process and operations oriented.
- Demonstrated self-direction and ability to work both collaboratively and independently with lay volunteers, colleagues, and agency professionals; able to problem-solve independently and in groups.
- Ability to contribute to a professional, positive, responsive, and solutions-oriented work environment.
- Direct administrative experience with grants management software (e.g., SMApply, Submittable, Foundant, Fluxx, Salesforce, etc.) is preferred.
- Proficient in all Microsoft Office Suite of Products, and able to quickly learn new software systems.
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.
Job Category: Union Eligible