Grants and Development Specialist

Description

Job Title: Grants and Development Specialist

Location: Chicago  Job Type: Full-Time
Reports to: Director of Government Affairs | Direct Reports: none

About Us:

God Restoring Order (GRO) Community is a mental healthcare provider that specializes in trauma recovery services for males of color ages 5 and up. GRO services are grounded in an understanding of the neurological, biological and psychological effects of trauma. GRO services include mental health and wellness, stress management, and community outreach. 

Position Summary:

The Grants & Development Specialist will support the Director of Government Affairs in identifying, developing, and securing funding opportunities that align with the mission and strategic growth goals of the organization. This role is responsible for researching grants, drafting compelling proposals, coordinating supporting documentation, tracking grant submissions and reporting deadlines, and assisting with donor and development initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer, highly organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about supporting community-based and behavioral health initiatives through strategic funding and partnership efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

Grant Writing & Funding Development

• Research and identify federal, state, local, and foundation grant opportunities aligned with organizational programs and initiatives.
• Build and maintain an active grants pipeline of public, private, corporate, and foundation opportunities.
• Collaborate with leadership and program teams to gather data, budgets, outcomes, and program information needed for submissions.
• Track grant outcomes, award status, reporting deadlines, and funder communication
• Monitor funding trends, legislative updates, and community investment opportunities relevant to behavioral health, youth services, housing, outreach, and community programming.

Government Affairs & Advocacy Support

• Assist in coordinating legislative meetings, advocacy events, stakeholder engagement efforts, and government affairs initiatives.
• Attend community meetings, networking events, advocacy days, and government-related events as assigned.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, presentations, and informational packets for meetings with legislators, community leaders, and stakeholders.
• Assist in building and maintaining relationships with elected officials, community organizations, government agencies, and strategic partners.
• Support event planning and logistics for lobbying efforts, advocacy campaigns, community engagement initiatives, and governmental meetings.

Development & Community Partnerships

• Assist in developing donor outreach materials, sponsorship packets, presentations, and fundraising communications.
• Coordinate and maintain relationships with foundations, community partners, and funding agencies.
• Support fundraising campaigns, development events, and community investment initiatives.
• Develop full grant applications, including narratives, needs statements, program designs, work plans, logic models, budgets, budget narratives, outcomes, and sustainability plans.

Data, Reporting & Administrative Support

• Assist with budget narratives and funding allocation summaries in collaboration with finance and leadership teams.
• Ensure all grant files, submissions, advocacy materials, and compliance documentation are organized and maintained appropriately.
• Manage multiple grant deadlines, funder requirements, reporting schedules, and post-award compliance documents.
• Track relevant legislative, policy, and funding updates that may impact organizational programs and services.

Competencies:

• Support the development of proposals that align with GRO’s work in behavioral health, trauma recovery, violence prevention, reentry, youth services, housing, workforce development, and community-based care.
• Contribute to annual fundraising and institutional revenue goals.
• Submit high-quality grant proposals on a monthly or quarterly basis based on organizational priorities
• Public & Government Relations
• Time Management & Attention to Detail
• Initiative & Problem Solving
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Professionalism & Confidentiality

Work Setting:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• May require occasional evening or weekend attendance for community events, lobbying activities, networking functions, or government meetings.
• May require local travel for meetings, advocacy events, conferences, and stakeholder engagement opportunities.
• Must maintain professionalism when interacting with government entities, funders, elected officials, and community stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, English, Business, Political Science, Public Health, Social Work, or a related field required; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in grant writing, institutional fundraising, nonprofit development, or public/private funding acquisition. Demonstrated success writing and securing grants from foundation, corporate, local, state, or federal funding sources.
• Strong knowledge of grant proposal development, including needs statements, program narratives, work plans, logic models, budgets, budget narratives, outcomes, evaluation plans, and sustainability language.
• Experience managing multiple grant deadlines, funder requirements, reporting schedules, and post-award compliance documents.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Experience working in nonprofit, behavioral health, public health, violence prevention, youth services, reentry, housing, workforce development, or community-based social service environments preferred.
• Knowledge of government funding, legislative processes, public-sector grants, and compliance/reporting requirements preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and grant research or project management tools required.

Ability to provide examples of awarded grants, submitted proposals, writing samples, or a grant portfolio upon request

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A supportive and dynamic work environment committed to social impact.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.

How to Apply:

At GRO Community, we believe in healing through empowerment and innovation. Our work centers on serving individuals and families with compassion and integrity. Join our team to make a meaningful impact while building your professional skills in a supportive and mission-driven environment. 

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their relevant experience to grosources@grocommunity.org.