Greater Chicago Food Depository is hiring: Grant Writer in Chicago

Overview

The Grant Writer supports institutional fundraising and is a part of the Corporations, Foundations and Organizations (CFO) team. This person is responsible for writing various grant materials assigned by the Sr. Manager of Grants and Director of Foundation Relations and Grants including grant eligibility assessments, letters of intent, summary briefs, proposals, and reports. The Grant Writer collaborates frequently with front-line fundraisers and program colleagues across the organization to maintain updated knowledge of the Food Depository’s current and emerging work. The successful candidate will be familiar with Chicago’s philanthropic landscape and possess strong relationship-building, project management, and strategic writing and thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an active collaborator and thought partner to Sr. Manager of Grants and CFO team – navigating various intra- and inter-departmental collaboration, strategic lens to writing and workflow optimization – in pursuit of overarching revenue goals
• Oversee a dynamic portfolio of institutional writing opportunities, managing 60% of the workflow as assigned by the Sr. Manager of Grants, coordinating with various colleagues, including relationship managers and program staff to secure revenue and comply with funder requirements
• Contribute to annual fundraising goals by preparing compelling, competitive grant content collaborating across departments to align funder interests with organizational priorities
• Apply industry best practices in grant writing to deepen grant makers’ understanding of the scope of the Food Depository’s work, ultimately enhancing relationship longevity
• Leverage asset-based messaging centering neighbors and ending hunger

• Utilize CRM database to record grant deadlines, activities, relationship contacts, correspondence notes, and other details pertaining to grants and individual workflow
• Attend funder-led information sessions about upcoming grant opportunities as appropriate
• Explore funder giving priorities and parameters to inform writing process and timely submission, expressing financial and cross-departmental needs with Sr. Manager of Grants
• Engage in proactive and strategic partnership with front-line fundraisers - discussing grant opportunities and collaborating on writing approach
• Attend funder conversations as needed and requested by front-line fundraisers