Grant Specialist

New Life Centers of Chicagoland connects young people and their families to Christ and Community through mentoring, education, sports and play, restorative justice, and community care.  New Life Centers operates in five neighborhoods in Chicago in the Little Village, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, Brighton Park, and Archer Heights communities of Chicago.  Our holistic program model enables us to fulfill our Mission and Vision: Young people and their families connecting with Christ and Community through restorative justice, safe spaces and life-on-life relationships to create the Beloved Community together.\

Position Summary

The Grants Specialist position is full-time, 40 hours per week (non-exempt, benefits eligible) and will take place remotely with visits to the Chicago offices twice a year. The Grants Specialist is responsible for writing, coordinating, and managing grant proposals and reports to support New Life Centers’ institutional fundraising efforts. This role oversees the entire grant lifecycle—from letters of intent and proposals to reporting and renewals—while collaborating closely with the Director of Institutional Partnerships, program staff, and finance team to gather accurate programmatic and financial information. The Grants Specialist ensures timely submissions, clear cross-department communication, and high-quality materials that effectively reflect program impact and support a coordinated fundraising strategy. The Grants Specialist reports to the Director of Institutional Partnerships. Will require out of state travel (reimbursable). Pay commensurate with experience. 

Core Responsibilities

Grant Writing & Proposal Development

• Write, edit, and submit grant proposals, letters of inquiry (LOIs), and required reports.
• Develop clear, compelling proposal content, including program narratives, outcomes, implementation plans, and evaluation methods.
• Customize proposals to align with funder priorities while ensuring consistency with organizational messaging.
• Use templates and standardized language to improve efficiency and maintain high-quality submissions.

Grant Lifecycle Management

• Manage the full grant lifecycle, including prospect research, LOIs, submissions, reporting, and renewals.
• Maintain a comprehensive grants calendar with application deadlines, reporting requirements, and renewal timelines.
• Track the status of all grant opportunities and applications to ensure timely follow-up and submission.
• Review and coordinate required materials to ensure accuracy and on-time completion.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Serve as a liaison between development, program, and finance teams to gather information for proposals and reports.
• Collect program data, outcomes, and narratives from program staff.
• Collaborate with finance staff to develop proposal budgets and required financial reports.
• Help streamline internal communication to improve efficiency and reduce delays in the grant process.

Grant Reporting

• Draft interim and final grant reports in collaboration with program and finance teams.
• Compile programmatic and financial data needed for reporting.
• Ensure reports are complete, accurate, and submitted according to funder requirements.
• Track reporting deadlines and compliance requirements across all grants.
• Will engage with the development team tracking systems and reporting.

Data Management & Systems

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date grant records in Virtuous CRM and other grant tracking systems.
• Monitor submission statuses, deadlines, funder communications, and reporting obligations.
• Support ongoing improvements to grant tracking systems and workflow processes.

Funder Communication Support

• Assist with funder communications, including responding to inquiries and coordinating follow-up as needed.
• Support preparation for funder meetings, site visits, and reporting discussions.
• Maintain professional, timely communication with funders when appropriate.

Team & Organizational Engagement

• Support the Director of Institutional Partnerships with fundraising priorities, proposal development, research, and special projects.
• Provide administrative and project support related to grant development and institutional partnerships.
• Participate in development team meetings, planning sessions, and organizational meetings as needed.
• Attend program visits to stay informed about New Life Centers’ programs and impact.
• Demonstrate New Life Centers’ mission and values in all professional interactions.
• Supervision includes on-site visits, regular check-ins, and break-out planning meetings.
• Participates in evaluations and audits as required.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Institutional Partnerships to support the success of institutional fundraising efforts.

Skills & Qualifications

• Must become a Certified Mandated Reporter. Training provided.
• Must pass a background check, must not have any pending cases.
• Must pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System background check.
• Must pass a National Sex Offender Registry background check.
• Must have a working phone and phone number.
• One year experience working with at-risk population.
• Completed relevant coursework/field of study in fundraising, communications, etc.
• Cross-cultural competency.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally.
• 5 years minimum experience in professional fundraising. 
• Have knowledge and experience in fundraising techniques, particularly major gift fundraising.
• Demonstrates strength in communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relational skills.
• Ability to effectively motivate staff, board members, and volunteers.
• Effectively initiates and steward donor relationships.
• Is a goal driven to initiate donor visits and fundraising calls strategically.
• Exhibits follow-through on tasks and goals.
• Displays a positive attitude, shows concern for people and community, demonstrates self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.
• Strong experience with use of social media and other communication portals.
• Comfortable in creating presentations and providing direction for creation of videos and communication materials.
• Knowledge of restorative justice, violence prevention, and youth development helpful.
• Ability to effectively work independently, problem-solve, multi-task and take initiative.
• High organization and detail-oriented skill ability.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must be willing to be trained, and proficiently utilize database(s) and information tracking systems relevant to duties.
• Must keep confidentiality of participant information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license, insurance, good driving record, access to a vehicle. Subject to driving background check.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials

• Cover letter indicating your experience and interest in the position
• Resume
• List of three references with contact information (minimum 2 professional references, email and phone number included)
• Please mention the name of any New Life Centers staff who referred the position to you if applicable.

New Life Centers provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. New Life Centers complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.