Grants Associate, NCS
The University of Chicago

Department

Crown NCS Development

About the Department

The Network for College Success (NCS), housed in the UChicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, partners with Chicago Public Schools to increase high school graduation, college enrollment, and college success rates for all students. Founded in 2006, NCS began with a small group of school principals looking to better understand and apply the high school research coming out of the UChicago Consortium on School Research. Over the past 18 years, NCS has expanded services to focus on whole school transformation, including: principal leadership, team development, instructional improvement, freshman transitions, data strategy, and postsecondary access and success. NCS builds the capacity of school leaders by engaging them in focused, intentional, and data-driven professional development. NCS also partners with schools to support widespread collaboration among educators and joint problem-solving that will ultimately improve student outcomes. Moreover, NCS partners with districts and schools throughout Chicagoland, and nationally, to spread innovation and impact-all in service of young people.

Job Summary

The Grants Associate will be part of the NCS Development Team, developing and implementing strategies to strengthen the financial viability of the project and secure funding through grant writing. Approximate percentages of the 40-hour work week are included.

Responsibilities

• Support NCS's annual fundraising plan and budget (80%)
  
• Write or edit a variety of complex documents, including: Letters of Inquiry, grant proposals, supporting materials, reports, and other correspondence
  
• Project manage grant and reporting deadlines
  
• Steward prospects and funders through personal visits, phone contact, email, and by promoting program benefits
  
• Research private and public funding prospects
  
• Maintain and organize donor hard copy and electronic files
  
• Maintain and update database of donor contacts, proposal requirements, and donor cultivation and proposal submission processes
  
• Coordinate and communicate with University staff as needed, e.g. development and grants management staff
  
• Support the NCS Executive Director and Development Team with scheduling, special projects, and other administrative tasks (10%)
  
• Assist with NCS programming and events, including fee-for-service professional development (5%)
  
• Coordinate logistics and materials with NCS staff
  
• Provide support leading up to and on the day of event
  
• Manage or assist with registration
  
• Provide customer service as necessary
  
• Plans, organizes and coordinates assigned fundraising programs and projects. Identifies budget requirements and staffing needs on a project or event basis
  
• Drafts informational and marketing materials for review for assigned programs. Assists in developing support materials for specific fundraising activities
  
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with donors and volunteers. Establishes and maintains donor records and accounts
  
• Performs other related work as needed (5%)
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through ---
Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher
  

Experience:

• A minimum of one year of professional work experience in grant writing, development, nonprofit management, alumni relations, or similar professional work experience
  

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent organizational and project management skills; attention to detail
  
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively
  
• Strong verbal communications skills
  
• Commitment to social justice and racial equity
  
• Ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues, school participants, and partners
  
• Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development as well as team and self-evaluation
  
• Ability to work in a team environment
  
• Ability to integrate technology and effectively utilize technology for professional productivity
  
• Ability to respond with flexibility to demands and requirements of the project
  
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines
  
• Capable of exercising sound judgment, tact, courteousness, reliability and employing good decision-making skills
  
• Knowledge of word processing, presentation (PPT), and spreadsheet software
  
• High energy, positive, "can-do" attitude, flexibility, and teamwork
  
• An exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative
  
• A commitment to ongoing self-reflection, examination of identity and role in systems of oppression, and challenging inequities.
  
• Independent motivation, confidentiality, problem solving, creativity
  
• Willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends
  
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it
  

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work schedule, on-site at the UChicago Hyde Park campus
  
• Attendance at meetings around the city requiring ability to ambulate to various sites in and around the city
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
• Cover letter (required)
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Alumni Relations & Development

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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