About Us‍

Chicago Cares is redefining volunteerism. We offer volunteer experiences and educational forums that change hearts and minds by moving people from awareness and connection to empathy and civic engagement. All our programs, including those for individual volunteers and those customized for groups and companies, are co-designed with community leaders from Chicago’s South, West, and Northwest sides to help fulfill the neighborhood’s own Quality-of-Life Plan, ensuring that every action contributes to the community’s long-term goals and catalyzes impactful, long-term investment.

The future of our city and country depends on connecting people across lines of difference. Community service is a powerful tool to do that. But the true power of service is not the result of any one specific project; it is the journey that volunteers and companies take, in partnership with community, that leads to impact never dreamed possible. When we move community goals from the abstract and make them personal and real to volunteers and companies, that is when big, bold commitments happen.

Through our unique combination of service, education, and relationship building, Chicago Cares unlocks new resources for our partner neighborhoods. Volunteers become more civically engaged; some join nonprofit boards or change careers; and companies and volunteers have invested over $10 million directly into community plans – all because of Chicago Cares.

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The Role

We’re looking for a Manager of Grants & Philanthropic Relations to manage a diverse portfolio of foundation and government grants, playing a pivotal role in securing the funding that powers our mission. This isn’t just about writing grants; it’s about building and nurturing relationships with key stakeholders to drive our community-focused work forward.

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What You'll Do

• Grant Portfolio Management: Oversee and grow a portfolio of foundation and government grants, ensuring alignment with Chicago Cares’ mission and strategic goals.
• Grant Writing & Reporting: Craft compelling grant proposals and reports that clearly communicate our impact, ensuring high-quality submissions that meet funder requirements.
• Relationship Management: Cultivate and sustain strong relationships with foundation representatives and government funders, serving as a key ambassador for Chicago Cares.
• Strategic Development: Contribute to and execute strategies to engage new donors and deepen relationships with existing ones, supporting our broader philanthropic goals.
• Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams to align grant activities with programmatic needs and ensure successful execution of funded projects.

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What We’re Looking For

• A proven track record of at least 2 years in grant writing, fundraising, or nonprofit relationship management.
• Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to create clear, persuasive, and impactful communications.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a knack for building and maintaining lasting relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• A deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a passion for community service and social justice.
• Experience with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

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Why Join Us?

• Flexible Work Schedule: We value work-life balance, offering flexibility in your work hours.
• Hybrid Work Environment: Enjoy a mix of in-office collaboration and remote work. Currently, we’re in the office two days a week.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer match, generous paid time off given upfront, wellness days, and more.
• Growth Opportunities: Be part of a supportive team where your professional growth is encouraged and nurtured.

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Salary

Starting at $56,000 per year

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Ready to Apply?

If you’re passionate about leveraging philanthropy to drive community impact and have the experience to back it up, we’d love to hear from you! Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@chicagocares.org with "Manager of Philanthropic Partnerships and Grants" in the subject line.

Join us and help build the city we all deserve!

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