Government Grants Manager at Night Ministry – Chicago, Illinois

The Night Ministry is powered by people who care deeply, about our mission, about our community, and about one another. We serve individuals experiencing homelessness with compassion and consistency, and we know that strong teams are what make that possible.

No matter the department, every role plays an essential part in advancing our mission and strengthening our impact. We value curiosity, accountability, collaboration, and a shared commitment to equity. If you’re someone who thrives in a purpose-driven environment and wants your work to contribute to lasting change, you may find a home here.

Position Summary:

Promote the mission and activities of The Night Ministry (TNM) by building relationships with government funders and growing support from government institutions. Maintain and coordinate systems related to receipt of The Night Ministry's revenues.

General Purpose:

Provide leadership and oversight for all government funding activities. Oversee the collection of grants, the preparation of vouchers for government contracts, and the allocation of grant revenues to proper accounts.

Position Responsibilities:

• Oversee government funding; cultivate and maintain relationships with government agency staff overseeing government-funded programs at The Night Ministry.
• Develop and implement a strategic government grants plan in collaboration with executive leadership.
• Proactively identify new government funding opportunities and align them with organizational priorities.
• Lead collaboration between finance, development, and program teams to ensure alignment on grant requirements.
• Coordinate the preparation and submission of proposals
• Provide guidance and training to programming and finance staff on compliance and reporting standards.
• Review government contracts, ensuring that TNM complies with contractual requirements.
• Act as a resource for staff members regarding government contracts, regulations and forms.
• Ensure timely completion and submission of all government grant reports.
• Establish and enforce compliance protocols to ensure adherence to all government regulations.
• Maintain the government grant tracking system, government files, and other related information systems.
• Point person for government grants, reports, and audits.
• Ensure that all required meetings by government funders are attended.
• Prepare budgets and income and expenditure reports for (potential) funders as needed by the Development Department and maintain the spreadsheet for allocation of grant for the organization's department budgets.
• Prepare budgets for city, state and federal grants and revise them as and when needed.
• Re-submit vouchers for reimbursement when portions of the vouchers submitted earlier have been deleted by the city.
• Participate in external committees, forums, trainings, and other gatherings related to government, for networking and visibility purposes.
• Meet and strategize with program staff to determine special needs, issues and opportunities in the issue of government relations, as needed.
• Lead the agency's effort related to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and coordinate all meetings and events for the Development Team.
• Attend all departmental and organizational meetings and training sessions.
• Lead coordinators for all DCFS license applications, annual audits/monitoring visits and city licensing matters.

Financial & Accounting Activities

• Develop the annual government grants budget (currently $3M+); provide regular projections.
• Review monthly vouchers for City, State, and Federal contracts, record revenues, receivables, and related journal entries.
• Submit the annual Indirect Cost Rate application for federal funding.
• Prepare the Schedule of Federal Expenditures for the annual financial audit.
• Reconcile revenues between the donor database and accounting software, record journal entries, pledges, and adjustments.
• Support the annual financial audit, including managing restricted revenue roll-forwards.
• Develop budgets for new or potential program activities as requested by the VP of Programs.
• Assist the Foundation Grants team with budget development and financial reporting.
• Attend all Finance department meetings and training.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Accounting and Finance.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications required for this position. It is not an exhaustive list, and duties may change as business needs evolve.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, English, public health, accounting, finance or business.
• Minimum of four years' experience working with government grants and/or grant writing.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills required and familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains preferred.
• Experience working with federal, state and city funders (e.g. HUD, HHS, IDHS, All Chicago, IAFCC)
• Experience with iSupplier, PMS, eLOCCS and other government portals, preferred.
• Highly developed organizational skills with strong attention to detail, including excellent document management skills.
• Excellent written and oral skills.
• Experience managing or leading a small team preferred.
• Able to work well with multiple levels of government agencies, officials and personnel.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility and ability to work with multiple deadlines. Position requires occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Exhibit comfort level working with diverse constituencies.

Reporting to this position:

No direct reports.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, & Reasonable Accommodation:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The Night Ministry is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job or to participate in the application or hiring process, please contact the People & Culture team.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; climb stairs; crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally drive an automobile; and lift and/or move 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may vary at the different locations required in this job. This role may require additional hours, sometimes weekends, during certain busy seasons.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The Night Ministry is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

At-Will Employment Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be an employment contract. Employment with The Night Ministry is at will and may be terminated by the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause or notice.