Grants Manager at Hesed House in Aurora, IL

Ministry: Development

Reports To: Division Director, Development

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Range: $67,000 - $82,000

Who We Are

At Hesed House, ending homelessness isn't a distant aspiration — it is the mission that drives every action we take. We are the second-largest homeless shelter in Illinois and the largest outside the city of Chicago, and a nationally recognized model for comprehensive, compassionate care. Located in Aurora, IL, our campus serves more than 1,000 individuals and families each year, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Our Comprehensive Resource Center brings together highly skilled professionals and community partners to provide shelter, meals, clothing, medical care, legal services, substance abuse counseling, employment coaching, housing assistance, and so much more. We believe every person deserves dignity and the chance to hope again — and we show up every day to make that real.

More than 7,500 volunteers from over 90 area churches, businesses, and organizations, along side a core of individuals share their time in support of the mission. Their generosity, alongside the financial support of our donors, makes our life-changing work possible.

The Opportunity

This is more than a grant writing job. It is a chance to change lives by securing the public and private investment that fuels Hesed House's programs and services. The Grants Manager is a critical member of our Development Team, responsible for managing and significantly growing our grants portfolio and revenue through the research, cultivation, writing, and submission of federal, state, and local government, foundation, and corporate grants.

The ideal candidate is a skilled writer and researcher who can translate complex programs into compelling, fundable narratives, and who takes pride in the discipline of deadlines, compliance, and follow-through. You will be someone who understands that every proposal and every report is ultimately in service of the people we serve.

What You Will Do

Lead Grant Development and Submission

You will own the full lifecycle of Hesed House's grants portfolio, from research through submission:

• Write, prepare, and submit public and private grant proposals, letters of inquiry, reports, and related correspondence, with a major emphasis on public and governmental grant submissions
• Lead the development of successful grant proposals and contracts, coordinating input across program and operations staff as needed
• Translate seemingly complex programs and data into a compelling and persuasive case for support
• Maintain a current writing sample and portfolio of successful proposals for internal reference

Steward Funder Relationships and Ensure Compliance

Winning a grant is only the beginning of the relationship. You will:

• Manage private funder reporting and compliance from start to finish, coordinating and engaging internal partners from program and operations departments
• Partner with colleagues on reporting and compliance for government grants
• Maintain a calendar of applications, reports, and other key dates to ensure timely completion and submission
• Update and maintain a database of external funders and prospects
• Attend meetings with project teams, funders and potential funders, and partnering organizations, and prepare team members for meetings with external funders
• Assist in managing and cultivating relationships with existing and prospective funders

Grow the Grants Pipeline

Hesed House's long-term sustainability depends on a healthy, diversified pipeline. You will:

• Identify and research public, governmental, corporate, foundation, and other funding opportunities
• Expand the pool of public and governmental grant prospects to ensure a continuous revenue stream
• Maintain familiarity with the philanthropic community that supports homelessness and stay current on funding trends

Collaborate Across the Development Team

Hesed House's fundraising success is a team effort. You will:

• Participate in the development of short-term and long-term fundraising planning
• Play an active supporting role in major fundraising initiatives, including our signature Derby event
• Bring a collaborative, solutions-focused spirit to every project and every team interaction

What We're Looking For

We are seeking a talented grant writer with strong research instincts and a genuine heart for serving people. The strongest candidates will bring:

Grant Writing and Fundraising Excellence (Required)

• Five years of grant writing or professional writing experience, preferably in a nonprofit environment — this experience is essential
• Proven track record researching, writing, and securing federal, state, local government, foundation, and corporate grants
• Exceptional research skills, identifying and evaluating the funders and opportunities that best align with Hesed House's needs
• Thoughtful project management experience, with strong attention to detail and the ability to execute under deadline pressure
• Experience working with donor CRM databases; Raiser's Edge NXT experience a plus
• Familiarity with grant management platforms such as Instrumentl or Grant Assist a plus
• Writing sample required

Communication Skills

• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to convey complex projects in a compelling and persuasive manner
• Strong verbal communication skills; confident and gracious representing Hesed House with funders and partners
• Proficiency with MS Office — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams

People and Mission Oriented

• A deep desire to serve — you are energized by connecting funders with a cause that truly changes lives
• Exceptional interpersonal skills; you build trust naturally and enjoy engaging with diverse individuals and organizations
• Comfort and enthusiasm working within a faith-based organization while engaging effectively with secular partners and funders
• A collaborative spirit combined with self-motivation and the ability to work independently with excellence

Organizational Strength

• Outstanding organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple deadlines, applications, and reporting requirements while maintaining attention to critical details.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment; brings strong problem-solving instincts and a positive, can-do attitude
• Curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset — always asking how we can grow our grants revenue more effectively
• Embraces change, including leveraging appropriate tools like AI.

Work Environment

This role is based at our Aurora, IL campus. It requires a professional, business-casual appearance and a welcoming demeanor when representing Hesed House with funders and partners. Occasional evening or weekend availability may be needed for funder meetings and events.

Additional requirements:

• Must pass DCFS and criminal background checks
• Must be able to comfortably and consistently navigate stairs
• Must be able to move donations and materials as needed

Why Hesed House?

When you join Hesed House, you join a community of people who believe that everyone deserves dignity and the chance to hope again. You will come to work every day knowing that the relationships you build and the dollars you raise directly feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter families, and help people rebuild their lives. This is a place where excellence is celebrated, creativity is welcomed, and your work truly matters.

Benefits

• Retirement plan with organizational match to help you plan for the future.
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, personal time, and holidays.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance, effective the first full month of employment.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health care and dependent care.
• Life insurance coverage at no cost to employees.
• Access to counseling and therapy services.
• Health and wellness reimbursement program to support your personal well-being.
• Cell phone reimbursement.