Grant Writer in Chicago, Illinois at After School Matters

Summary of Position: As a key member of the After School Matters (ASM) Development team, the Grant Writer is responsible for supporting the organization’s fundraising goals by carrying out all grants processes including, but not limited to, researching and identifying new prospective donors, writing grant proposals and reports, and cultivating positive relationships with funders (including but not limited to companies, foundations, and government agencies). This is a great opportunity for an individual with great attention to detail, a passion for persuasive writing, and an interest in advancing the work and mission of ASM.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Write and edit clear, accurate, and persuasive letters of intent, proposals, and reports that are tailored to each funder’s focus area, mission, specifications, and deadlines; collaborate with the Institutional Giving Manager, Director of Institutional Giving, and others as necessary as thought partners.
• Research, identify, and cultivate new funding and grant opportunities from local, regional, and national foundations and corporations, as well as government agencies.
• Collaborate with departments (including but not limited to: Programs, Finance, and Research and Evaluation) to request supporting information and documentation, such as program budgets and data, and translate information in a way that will persuade funders.
• Update and maintain grants tracker with all submission deadlines and assist with collection, input, and maintenance of donor information into Raiser’s Edge database to ensure records are accurate and up to date.
• Assist the Development Team with events, including corporate workshops, Sneaker Ball, and the Gala.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent writing skills including experience writing grants.
• Ability to write clearly, accurately, and professionally in grant submissions, email correspondence, and other written documentation to both internal and external groups.
• Exceptional organizational skills. Ability to manage concurrent projects and deadlines and identify priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume, results-oriented work environment.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly regarding funder specifications and deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills, including an ability to synthesize financial information and program data and communicate conclusions clearly and concisely in writing.
• Ability to adapt and utilize new technologies and tools (including AI).

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree required.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills required.
• CRM experience preferred (ASM uses Raiser’s Edge).
• 1+ experience working with grants/Development team is preferred.

Schedule:

• Hybrid work environment, 9am-5pm
• Minimum three days in person
• Occasional nights and weekends, depending on Development event schedule
• Ability to travel to ASM sites as needed

Benefits for full-time regular employees include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Parental Leave (PPL)
• 403B Retirement Plan
• Identity Theft, Legal, and Pet Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Sick Time, and paid national holidays

Compensation: $52,000-$60,000 depending on applicable experience and education
About Us: After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that annually offers after-school and summer programs to nearly 19,000 Chicago high school teens to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond.

Thirty-five years later, now known as After School Matters, our program has engaged more than 450,000 Chicago teens and is the nation’s largest and most successful provider of after-school and summer programs for high school teens. No other organization offers programs to high school students at the scale and quality that we do.

We offer paid apprenticeships led by professionals in the fields of arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Our nationally respected youth development model has been replicated in cities across the country and earned us the City Livability Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Programs take place at community locations throughout the city, including four ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts and Orleans, the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin, and the Pullman community at Gately Park. Currently, After School Matters' annual operating budget is approximately $48M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization. For more information, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org.
EEO: After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.