About the Role
REPORTS TO: COO
Exempt Status: Exempt
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Director of Grants is responsible for overseeing the Grants team, leading the full lifecycle of institutional grants with a strong weighting on public grants at the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago. This includes prospecting, proposal development, submission, reporting, and compliance. This role serves as the strategic owner of grant funding, ensuring alignment between program strategy, funder priorities, data outcomes, and financial requirements.
The Director of Grants partners closely with Programs, Development, Finance, and Data to secure, manage, and steward public and private grant funding that advances Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s mission and long-term sustainability.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Grant Strategy & Pipeline Management
• Identify and assess institutional public and private grant opportunities that align with Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s mission and programmatic competencies.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive grants strategy aligned with organizational priorities and abilities.
• Maintain and oversee the grants pipeline, including tracking deadlines, submissions, and award outcomes, coordinating with leadership on grant alignment, capacity, and risk.
Proposal Development & Submission
• Lead the development of high-quality grant proposals, narratives, and supporting materials, ensuring proposals are accurate, compelling, and compliant with funder requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional input from Programs, Data, Finance, and Leadership.
• Manage submission processes, timelines, and external stakeholders.
Grant Management, Reporting & Compliance
• Oversee post-award grant management, including reporting schedules and deliverables.
• Ensure timely and accurate narrative and financial reports in partnership with Finance.
• Monitor compliance with grant terms and conditions.
• Serve as the primary internal resource for grant-related requirements and documentation.
• Systems, Process & Knowledge Management
• Maintain grant calendars, documentation, filing repositories and reporting tools.
• Develop templates, workflows, and institutional knowledge to strengthen grant operations.
• Improve consistency and reduce risk across grant activities.
• Train and support staff involved in grant-related work.
Leadership & Organizational Support
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to senior leadership on institutional funding.
• Represent grants in cross-functional planning and coordination.
• Supervise grants staff and consultants as applicable.
Requirements
· Bachelor’s degree required
· 5–10 years of experience in grants management, institutional fundraising, and public-sector funding.
· Proven success securing and managing a portfolio of public and private grants including reporting to external restricted grant providers.
· Strong grant writing, budget preparation with complex staff allocations, editing, and project management skills.
· Experience working cross-functionally with programs, finance, and data teams.
· High level of organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
· Deep understanding and commitment to Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s mission and values.
Salary & Benefits
Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $90,000 and is commensurate with experience.
Institute for Nonviolence Chicago puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package.
Competitive benefits package available, including Health, Life, and 401K.
About Institute for Nonviolence Chicago
The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s mission is to end the cycle of gun violence in Chicago using Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles and teachings of nonviolence. Informed by a philosophy of nonviolence, Nonviolence Chicago will establish caring and sustained relationships with participants engaged in the cycle of violence. We will emphasize partnerships with community members, leaders, social service providers, and local law enforcement to reduce community levels of violence. We will help create a safer, healthier environment for young adults, youth, and their families. These general approaches will be specifically addressed using four major methods: Community Violence Intervention (CVI) / Street Outreach, Individualized Service Provision, Victim Support Services, and Nonviolence Training.
To apply, please send a cover letter along with your resume to hiring@nonviolencechicago.org.
Institute for Nonviolence Chicago -- EEO Statement
Institute for Nonviolence Chicago 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. In addition to federal law requirements, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.