What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grants Administration Specialist position at The Chicago Community Trust?
Job Description
Position Summary :
The Chicago Community Trust is a community foundation dedicated to improving our region through strategic grant making, civic engagement and inspiring philanthropy. We are here to serve the nonprofit organizations, the generous donors and the thoughtful residents who strive to make a difference, helping their bold vision create lasting community change. Through collaboration with our partners and initiatives, we work together to advance this mission and build a brighter future for all.
The Grant Administration Specialist supports various types of grantmaking, including Competitive, Designated, Group Advised, and Donor Advised Funds (DAF). They support the entire grantmaking process, conducting due diligence across all grant types, ensuring the proper collection and tracking of grant documentation, and troubleshooting any issues that arise. This role is essential in coordinating with departments and teams such as Philanthropic Services, Northern Trust partners, Community Impact, and Accounting, providing both internal and external customer service to ensure efficient, transparent, and equitable grantmaking.
Position Responsibilities :
- Ensure grant and funding recommendations are processed accurately and on schedule.
- Perform due diligence on all types of grants - Competitive, Designated, Group Advised, and Donor Advised.
- Obtain wire instructions from grantees and manage associated document retention.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure donor satisfaction with DAF and Designated grant programs.
- Provide customer service and technical guidance to grant seekers, grantees, and staff, using judgment to refer questions to the appropriate colleagues when needed.
- Create and maintain grant process and procedure documentation.
- Assist in obtaining and tracking receipt of grant agreements, contingencies, and reports.
- Assist in building and managing GMS reports and dashboards for various internal users.
- Perform data entry, data cleanup, identify opportunities for data cleanup, and suggest system and process enhancements.
- Contribute to special projects
- Undertake additional tasks as assigned.
Experience and Skills
Position Qualifications :
The History of The Chicago Community Trust
The Chicago Community Trust was founded in 1915 by Norman and Albert Harris, father and son duo of the Harris Trust and Savings Bank (now BMO Harris Bank). The Trust was the fourth community foundation ever created. There are now 750 community foundations in Canada and the U.S.
As our region's community foundation, the Trust unites generous donors, committed nonprofits and caring residents to effect lasting change that moves our entire region forward. Our approach centers on tackling the region's immediate needs and addressing the root causes of deep-seated issues to realize a more prosperous future for all who call metropolitan Chicago home.
For more than 100 years, donors have entrusted their philanthropic resources and visions to our stewardship. Guided by our deep knowledge of the community, we fund, lead, convene and collaborate to address the greatest and most critical needs facing the Chicago region. From the $22 million raised to help with unemployment relief in the Great Depression to spearheading an effort to help people keep their homes during the foreclosure crisis of the Great Recession to $35 million raised for the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, which supported nonprofits serving our most vulnerable neighbors, Chicagoans have put their trust in us.
In 2019, we announced we would focus our discretionary spending over the next decade on working to close Chicago's growing racial and ethnic wealth gap. The Trust envisions a Chicago region that's stronger and more prosperous because everyone-regardless of race, ethnicity, or zip code-has equitable access to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed and live a fulfilling life.
With assets of more than $4.5 billion, the Trust, in partnership with its donors, distributes more than $1.6 billion in grants each year. The Trust Team seeks to match the passion and commitment of donors, grant recipients, residents, and community leaders that continue to work tirelessly to make the Chicago region one where all have the opportunity to realize their dreams.
Job Benefits
Salary Benefits
Salary : $67,000 - $76,000
