Director, Grants

Description

Be a Force for Possibility. Lead Impact Through Funding.

Are you a strategic storyteller with a passion for partnership building and turning ideas into opportunity? Do you thrive on translating vision into action — and securing the resources to make bold dreams a reality?

Aspire is seeking a Director of Grants to drive transformative growth and deepen our impact by expanding institutional support across foundations, corporations, public entities, and government agencies. As a key leader on our Philanthropy team, you will shape funding strategies, forge meaningful funder relationships, and ensure that every grant secured fuels our mission to empower adults with developmental disabilities to live full, inspired lives.

This is more than a grant-writing role — it’s a high-impact leadership opportunity to influence the future of one of the most innovative disability services organizations in the region.

Your Role: What You’ll Do

Strategy & Planning

• Lead the development of a strategic grants calendar that aligns with Aspire’s mission, programs, and bold growth goals.
• Translate funding priorities into persuasive messaging, proposal strategies, and outcomes-focused storytelling.
• Collaborate across teams to co-create compelling grant narratives, budgets, and reporting materials rooted in real program impact.
• Maintain an organized, centralized library of key content and data for efficient, repeatable grant development. 

Grants Leadership

• Manage the full lifecycle of all private and public grant activity — from pipeline development to reporting and renewal.
• Serve as the lead technical writer for all high-quality submissions, tailoring content to funder priorities and requirements.
• Partner with Finance and Program teams to integrate data, outcomes, logic models, and evaluations into proposals.
• Ensure compliance with all grant requirements, deadlines, and post-award activities including budget tracking and reporting.
• Steward funder relationships through visits, regular updates, and exceptional communication.
• Personally manage a portfolio of 5–10 top strategic funder relationships. 

Team Collaboration & Organizational Leadership

• Partner with consultants on prospecting and strategic development. 
• Support cross-functional Philanthropy team initiatives, such as events, campaigns, and donor engagement. 
• Collaborate with Marketing for timely, thoughtful funder recognition and visibility. 
• Cultivate relationships with stakeholders including community leaders, board members, and supporters to advance Aspire’s mission.
• Contribute to team development, goal setting, and a positive, mission-driven culture.
• Represent Aspire at events and in the community as a passionate ambassador.

Requirements

What You Bring: Qualifications & Skills

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience 
• 5 years of experience in grant writing, grant strategy, or fundraising roles 
• Proven success securing six-figure and multi-year institutional gifts
• Mastery in crafting LOIs, proposals, logic models, and donor-focused case statements
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple grants and deadlines
• CRM/database proficiency for tracking relationships and progress

Skills That Set You Apart:

• Exceptional written communication — clear, persuasive, and aligned to funder goals
• Strategic thinker with a collaborative, cross-functional approach
• Deep understanding of both the art and science of storytelling through data, impact, and budget
• Curiosity, emotional intelligence, and a solutions-oriented mindset
• Strong relationship builder — with both internal teams and external funders 

Bonus Points (Preferred but Not Required):

• Grant Professional Certification (GPC) 
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE)
• Experience in health or human services, disability services, or nonprofit sector
• Understanding of technical and financial requirements of complex grants

Aspire Values (POWER):

P = We believe anything is possible

O = We all own it 

W = We welcome everyone 

E = We evolve and try new things 

R = We build powerful relationships

We know that Together, We’re Better!

Aspire was founded in 1960 and is recognized as a leader in providing bold, pioneering, and uncompromising services to adults with developmental disabilities, their families and the community. In 2019, we joined forces with NorthPointe Resources to be one of the most recognized and respected disability service providers across the Chicago metropolitan area, Lake County (Illinois), and southeastern Wisconsin areas.

Full-Time Pay and Benefits (regularly scheduled to work more than 37 1/2 hours per week)

· Health Insurance

· Benefit Time (Vacation, Sick, Personal)

· 13 Holidays

· 403(B) Retirement Savings Plan with matching contribution

· Disability Insurance

· Life Insurance

· Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

· Voluntary Insurances available

Aspire is an equal employment opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Aspire is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities so that an applicant may complete the essential functions of a position. The essential functions of positions are outlined in a position’s job description. To request an accommodation or if you have a question regarding what the essential functions of a position are please contact the People Team at 708.632.5777.

Salary : $78,000 - $83,000