Description

Foundation and Corporate Relations Coordinator

Illinois Humanities

Status: Full-time / Exempt

Reports to: Senior Director of Development and Communications

Location: Chicagoland area

Illinois Humanities, the Illinois partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that foster reflection, spark conversation, build community, and strengthen civic engagement. We provide free, high-quality humanities experiences throughout Illinois, particularly for communities of color, individuals living on low incomes, counties and towns in rural areas, small arts and cultural organizations, and communities highly impacted by mass incarceration.

For more information, visit www.ILhumanities.org

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Foundation & Corporate Relations Coordinator is the organization’s primary grant writer and plays a central role in identifying, securing and stewarding institutional funding from foundations and corporate partners. This position supports the full grant and sponsorship lifecycle—from prospect research and proposal development to reporting, relationship support, and administrative compliance. The Coordinator is both a strong writer and a highly organized administrator who thrives in a deadline-driven environment and collaborates effectively with staff across the programs, finance, and communications departments. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grant Writing and Corporate Sponsorship Fundraising 

• Draft, edit, and submit compelling proposals, letters of inquiry, sponsorship requests, and grant reports; effectively communicate the organization's goals, objectives, and strategies to potential funders and strategic partners.
• Collaborate across departments to gather relevant information and data needed for applications .
• Build and advance the funding pipeline; track progress toward annual goals; prepare regular status reports.
• Maintain a master calendar of proposal deadlines, reports, and prospect moves; all associated files and correspondence; enter relevant information into the organization's database.

Research and Administration 

• Research, identify, and evaluate funding opportunities from federal, state, local, corporate, and private sources aligned with organizational priorities.
• Profile corporations and foundations for prospecting calls and meetings; prepare briefings, PowerPoint presentations, and related collateral.
• Maintain organized grant files and a current library of institutional support materials (bios, board lists, financials, etc.).
• Support compliance requirements and ensure accurate documentation for all institutional funding.
• Serves as the development department’s primary data steward in Raiser’s Edge, with responsibility for all gift entry and ongoing maintenance of donor records, interactions, and prospect information.

Relationship Stewardship 

• Prepare donor briefings, prospect profiles, presentations, and meeting materials for senior leadership, executive director and board members as directed.
• Coordinate stewardship activities, including proper acknowledgment of funders across website, newsletters, reports, and events.
• Draft high-level, professional communication with foundation representatives and corporate partners.
• Assists the Senior Director of Development and Communications in developing and maintaining excellent relationships with grant funders, and both private and corporate donors. 

Other Support 

• Serves as the Development administrative liaison to ensure consistent communication regarding administrative policies, procedures and compliance requirements.
• General administrative support for the Director of Development and Communications.
• Supports fundraising events, including our Public Humanities Awards, the organization’s annual celebration, and other special events and supports onsite corporate and foundation relations.
• Assists with communications efforts (copywriting, social media support), when needed.
• Assist with and serve as a backup for event support tasks, including registration, RSVP processing, and welcome table duties at Illinois Humanities events.
• Other duties as assigned. 

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Step one: All submissions will be reviewed, and the initial candidate pool will be formed after phone screenings. Not all submissions will make it into the candidate pool.

Step two: Candidates in the pool will take part in an interview with members of the Illinois Humanities Team via Zoom or in-person. 

Step three: There may be additional rounds of interviews with the final candidates. Final candidates may be asked to provide additional information. Selection and placement of the final candidate will occur after these final rounds of interviews. Placement for this position is anticipated to occur in spring of 2026. Once the final candidate has accepted their offer of employment, all other applicants will be notified of their status.

WHAT WE ARE OFFERING:

• The annual salary range for this position is $58,000 – $65,000
• Full-time employees are eligible for employer-provided health coverage (multiple plans offered at 80% employer paid premium for the employee), 401(k) (including an employer contribution), and other benefits
• PTO, including vacation time, paid holidays, and wellness leave, available to all full-time employees

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Our Chicago Loop office is accessible. Work at off-site locations is required and those may not be fully accessible. Evening and weekend work is sometimes required. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. Employees are regularly required to talk, hear, see, and communicate effectively via computer. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds.

Illinois Humanities' Chicago office is currently operating in a hybrid work environment with required in-office days and optional remote workdays each week. 

COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY:

To support public health efforts to reduce the risk of COVID-19, Illinois Humanities has adopted a policy that requires all staff and interns receive a complete COVID-19 vaccine based on the CDC’s current definition, which is subject to change. Employees must submit a full Record of COVID-19 Vaccination or have a fully signed Reasonable Exception approval by date of hire.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Illinois Humanities is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. It does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Illinois Humanities is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.

To Apply: Please upload a resume and cover letter to the application website.

Please submit this application to the "Work With Us" page or through the relevant job website. Application review will begin in March 2026, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Requirements

Experience and Skillset:

• Minimum of 3-years’ experience in grant writing
• Strong research and writing skills, including the ability to synthesize information, as well as develop compelling narratives that effectively communicate the organization's mission and goals
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, together with the ability to work collaboratively and courteously with external partners
• Strong entrepreneurial attitude including drive for results and proven ability to stay focused on goals; ability to prioritize competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Strong project management skills, ability to follow processes, and attention to detail
• Demonstrated experience with fundraising CRM platforms required; proficiency in Raiser's Edge preferred
• Experience working in a fast paced, quick turnaround environment
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines
• High professional and ethical standards for handling confidential information

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

The skills and experience needed to be successful in this job exist on a spectrum. Highly qualified and desirable candidates may not meet 100% of the skills and experience included in this description. We encourage all who are interested in this position to apply.