Open Position: Manager, Grants & Philanthropic Relations

Open Positions: Manager, Grants & Philanthropic Relations

Full-time Position: Manager, Grants & Philanthropic Relations

Location: Aurora, IL
Salary: Negotiated based on Experience
Benefits: Comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, 403(b), paid time off, and more!

Reports to: Development Development Director

General Responsibility Description:

The Manager, Grants & Philanthropic Relations supports the Development Director to achieve the funding and support for the six divisions of Wayside Cross Ministries(WCM).

WCM combines nearly 100 years of experience in Bible-based, Christ-centered life transformational recovery for the broken, addicted and abused. Our comprehensive programs and recovery model provide transitional living and work development opportunities for hundreds of men, women, and women with children a safe place and a chance to rebuild their lives while gaining their GED’s and work certifications, and the necessary skills to earn and keep a job. We also assist Ex offenders to achieve the same goal while providing guidance and hope to the incarcerated. Our Urban Youth Ministry division works with under-resourced families by proving free after-school care and educational assistance, recreation, life-skills and sensory experiences within the context of a supportive and nurturing Christian environment. Together, each of our six ministry divisions bring people of faith with people in desperate situations to provide the hope and encouragement of Christ` and experience the life and purpose God intended for them. If you are ready to experience a higher calling in life, join us and play a significant part in building strong Christian lives for the Kingdom and God’s glory.

The Role:
We’re looking for a Manager of Grants & Philanthropic Relations with at least 3 years of experience to manage a diverse portfolio of private and public foundations and playing a pivotal role in securing the funding that powers our six ministry divisions. This isn’t just about writing grants; it’s about building and nurturing long-term relationships with key stakeholders to drive our community-focused work forward. You will also assist with community events and public relations goals as needed.

This role reports to the Development Director.

What You’ll Do:

Grant Portfolio Management: Oversee and grow a portfolio of public and private foundation grants, ensuring alignment with Wayside Cross Ministries mission and strategic goals.
Grant Writing & Reporting: Craft compelling grant proposals and reports that clearly communicate our impact, ensuring high-quality submissions that meet funder requirements.
Relationship Management: Cultivate and sustain strong relationships with foundation representatives, and assisting and supporting the development director in serving as a key ambassador for Wayside Cross Ministries. assist the Develop Director in building relationships with major donor relationships.
Strategic Development: Contribute to and execute strategies under the support of the development director to engage new donors and deepen relationships with existing ones, supporting our broader philanthropic goals.
Collaboration: Work closely with the development director and internal teams to align grant activities with programmatic needs and ensure successful execution of funded projects.

What We’re Looking For:

A proven track record of at least 3 years in grant writing, fundraising, or nonprofit relationship management.
Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to create clear, persuasive, and impactful communications.
Strong interpersonal skills, with a knack for building and maintaining lasting relationships with donors and stakeholders.
A deep commitment to rebuilding the lives of the broken, addicted and impoverished through supportive programs and services build on Judeo-Christian values.
Experience with CRM systems (Virtuous preferred) and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Must have the ability to commute to Aurora & Elgin IL

Why Join Us?

Flexible Work Schedule: We value work-life balance, offering flexibility in your work hours.
Growth Opportunities: Be part of a supportive team where your professional experience and Christian faith growth is encouraged and nurtured.

Ready to Apply?
If you’re passionate about leveraging philanthropy to drive community impact and have the experience to back it up, we’d love to hear from you! Please send your resume and cover letter to tdavidson@waysidecross.org with “Manager of Philanthropic Partnerships and Grants” in the subject line. Join us and help others build the kind of life we all deserve!

Job Type: Full-time – highbred

Pay: Negotiated based on experience

Schedule: Flexible 40 hour work week, occasional weekends required

Experience:

Fundraising: 3 years (Required)
Related business development and leadership skills

Education:

Bachelor level degree or higher

Required:

Member of a Bible-believing, Christ-centered church, ability to interview and work with people recovering from addictions and other life-traumas

Must also be able to:

Enter and Update data, create and run queries in the required software
Create spreadsheets with large numbers of figures without mistakes
Verify data by comparing it to source documents
Prepare acknowledgement letters and receipts for all gifts
Create Gift batch reports
Retrieve records data from the database or electronic files as requested
Have a working knowledge of office equipment and computer hardware and peripheral devices (printers and check scanners for banking)
Experience in Check-processing and Banking procedures
Basic understanding of databases
Good command of English, both oral and written, and customer service skills
Great attention to detail
Agree with our Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct
Must be able to commute between Aurora and Elgin Illinois