Lead Researcher and Fund Development Specialist

7 days ago


Chicago, Illinois, United States North Lawndale Employment Network Full time

About the Job

North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN) is a comprehensive workforce development agency dedicated to advancing the economic outcomes of Chicago's West Side residents. To achieve long-term financial sustainability, we seek an experienced Lead Researcher and Fund Development Specialist.

The ideal candidate will lead our grant development activities, researching opportunities, writing proposals, and submitting timely reports for grant-funded programs and initiatives. This unique individual will also shape future fundraising activities, including funder cultivation, engagement, stewardship, and annual events.

Main Responsibilities:

  • Direct and manage the grant process from prospect research to application compilation and submission, award review, signature, and tracking.
  • Develop a strategic approach to securing support from institutional foundations, family foundations, corporations, public/governmental grantors, and other grant resources.
  • Evaluate potential grant opportunities and determine whether NLEN should apply based on evaluation of financial alignment, strategic alignment, implementation needs/requirements, and application complexity/requirements.
  • In collaboration with the Co-Director of Grants and Research, provide management leadership to the grant-writing process, including forming grant-writing teams, setting deadlines, assigning tasks, overseeing the process, final review, and timely submission of all agency grant applications and follow-up.
  • Prepare letters of inquiry, proposals, grant applications, and funder reports, ensuring accurate and timely data completion.
  • In collaboration with the Programs Team and Chief Impact and Innovation Officer, assist in tracking and reporting for grant awards, submittals, and projects that maximize the impact of a potential grant or contract.
  • Maintain knowledge of NLEN funding gaps and prioritize program funding needs.
  • Maintain an annual grant cycle calendar to identify and track state, federal, and foundation grant openings, ensuring complete and professional grant applications are submitted in a timely manner.
  • Maintain comprehensive data files on all foundations/grantors, including relationship contacts, funding requests, secured funding, reporting requirements, etc.

Qualifications:

  • A Bachelor's degree in a liberal arts and sciences field plus a minimum of 5 years of related grant management and writing experience with public and private grants.
  • A proven track record of success in securing gifts from foundations and corporations.
  • Excellent self-management and organizational skills motivated by outcomes and goals.
  • Proven leadership and management experience delegating and creating clarity for team members and direct reports.
  • Strategic thinking with the ability to build consensus across a diverse organization.
  • Highly organized, attentive to detail, goal-oriented, and capable of multi-tasking.
  • Experience with Salesforce or other donor management software preferred.
  • Experience with MailChimp or other email marketing software preferred.
  • Demonstrated success in information management and project management.
  • Budget planning and financial management experience a plus.
  • Experience with staff or intern supervision a plus.
  • Passion for NLEN's mission and goals.
  • A commitment to social and economic justice.
  • Excellent time management skills and communication follow-up habits.

Benefits:

  • A comprehensive benefits package includes medical, vision, and dental plans.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO).
  • Paid Holidays.
  • A hybrid work schedule.
  • 401K participation from day one of employment.
  • Life Insurance.

North Lawndale Employment Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This position comes with an estimated salary of $80,000.



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