Grant Writer

Organizational Summary:

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 years later, now known as After School Matters, our program has engaged more than 350,000 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 three ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, 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 $35M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization.

For more information, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org.

Summary of Position:

As a key member of the After School Matters Development Team, the Grant Writer position 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. This is a great opportunity for an individual with exceptional attention to detail, excellent critical thinking skills, demonstrated success with persuasive writing and an interest in advancing the work and mission of After School Matters.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Research, identify and cultivate new funding and grant opportunities from local, regional and national foundations and corporations.
2. Write and edit clear, accurate, and persuasive letters of intent, grant proposals and reports that are tailored to each funder’s focus areas, mission, specifications, and deadlines; collaborate with Director of Institutional Giving as a thought partner.
3. Collaborate with various departments to request supporting information and documentation, such as program budgets, and translate that information in a compelling and persuasive way for donors.
4. Work with designated program staff to set expectations for funding allocated to programs, understand program developments, and update proposals and reports accordingly.
5. Frequently review youth development research and include relevant facts and statistics to craft compelling and current issue statements.
6. Update and maintain grants tracker with all submission deadlines.
7. Assist with collection, input, and maintenance of donor information into Raiser’s Edge database to ensure records are accurate and up-to-date.
8. Cultivate and maintain relationships with funding partners via in-person meetings and phone, email and/or mail communications.
9. Support donor stewardship by drafting, editing and sending donor acknowledgement communications.

Other duties:

1. Assist the Development Team with events, including volunteer workshops, Sneaker Ball and the Annual Gala.
2. Support the overall strategic efforts of the Development Team.
3. Other duties as requested.

Physical Demands: The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Must be able to sit for long periods of time.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Excellent writing skills. Ability to write clearly, accurately, concisely and professionally in grant submissions, email correspondence, and other written documentation
2. Exceptional organizational skills. Ability to manage concurrent projects and deadlines and identify priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume, results-oriented work environment
3. Superb attention to detail, particularly with regard to funder specifications and deadlines
4. Strong analytical skills, including an ability to synthesize financial information and program data and communicate conclusions through writing and speaking
5. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work collaboratively with internal team-members and serve as a positive representative of the organization to external audiences
6. Capacity to manage workload and complete projects independently

Qualifications:

1. Candidates must have 2-3 years of grant writing experience at a nonprofit and one of these requirements: either (1) BS/BA degree or (2) GED/HS and ~3-4 years of additional technical/professional or grant-writing writing experience
2. Experience with Raiser’s Edge or CRM software preferred
3. Ability to work approximately 6 evenings per year

Additional Requirements:

Staff are required to provide proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or have an approved medical or sincerely held religious beliefs exemption prior to starting employment. If a medical or sincerely held religious belief exemption is approved, weekly Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing is required part of any reasonable accommodation.

How to Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume at: http://afterschoolmatters.applytojob.com/apply

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.