Grant Writer (Personal Services)
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Responsible for cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with corporate and foundation donors, managing grants and the application process, and advocating/spreading awareness about the agency. Responsible for writing proposals for both operating revenue and restricted projects and for submitting timely and accurate reports for existing and new grants.
TRAVEL REQUIRED: Roughly 15% of time will be spent in personal visits with corporate/foundation funders or program officers. This position will occasionally require evening and weekend time.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
- Responsible for conducting the full range of activities required to research, prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals to foundation and corporate sources;
- Perform prospect research on foundations and corporations to evaluate prospects for corporate and foundation grants;
- Researches and strategically identifies a number of new funding proposals each year, conceptualizing and crafting the proposal with executive input;
- Submits approximately 35 proposals per year to corporate and foundation donors;
- Complies with all grant reporting as required by foundation/corporate donors;
- Prepares and submits stewardship reports to donors as required;
- Helps manage an effective tracking system for proposal deadlines and follow up reports;
- Maintain current records in database and in files, including grant tracking and reporting;
- Track statistics relevant to development and provide department with written materials necessary for donor stewardship;
- Maintains regular personal contact with past and current corporate/foundation donors;
- Makes regular visits to prospective donors and arranges for and coordinates site visits with funder representatives;
- Develops appropriate recognition and manages the timely acknowledgment of gifts received;
- Assists in soliciting sponsorship support for select agency events;
- Assists with staffing the President and Chief Development Officer on donor visits and strategies;
- Works collaboratively with colleagues on overall corporate/foundation planning;
- Maintains and enhances knowledge of best practices in the field;
- Assists in other activities as requested by the Financial Development department; and
- Any other duties as deemed necessary by the Supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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Bachelor's degree and a minimum of four years grant writing experience or transferable experience;
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Previous experience with non-profit fundraising;
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Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel software; knowledge of Raiser's Edge donor base software a plus;
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Excellent writing skills and communication skills;
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Ability to take direction from the Supervisor and management, yet thinks independently;
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Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers and to represent the organization to donors and friends in a gracious, professional manner;
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A commitment to our mission of providing opportunities for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind or multi-disabled is essential.
The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired is an Equal Opportunity Employer in full compliance with local, state, and federal Civil Rights & Affirmative Action laws. The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired maintains a strong policy of accommodation and a consistent practice of employing qualified individuals with disabilities. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, sexual orientation, military status, order of protection status or unfavorable discharge from military service.
