Director, Foundation & Government Funding

Director, Foundation & Government Funding

Chicago Zoological Society | Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, Illinois, United States of America

This is a non‑union full‑time salaried position, grade 10 with an expected hiring range of $89,583 to $98,541 annually.

• Seek funding from local, regional, and national foundations, corporate foundations, and government agencies to support strategic initiatives, programs, and projects aligned with institutional goals. This includes working directly with program staff to develop fundable projects, exhibits, and programs, and implementing communication strategies for effective cultivation and solicitation (letters of intent, pre‑proposals, phone calls, meetings, proposals, and reports). In addition, prepare project‑specific budgets and financial reports to be submitted with proposals and reports, while maintaining confidentiality of financial information related to salaries and benefits.
• Build, cultivate, and maintain relationships with key foundation, corporate foundation, and government agency leadership and staff to advance philanthropic partnerships, and assist other institutional senior staff in building and maintaining their own professional relationships with key foundation leadership and staff.
• Work closely with research staff, other development staff, and appropriate Society staff to proactively and creatively identify new foundation and government grant funders.
• Provide strategic writing support to Senior Vice President Development, Vice President of Development, and peers within the Development Team, including writing and editing grant proposals, solicitation letters, and programmatic updates for donors.
• Work closely with VP, Senior Director Development Operations, to utilize the CRM to enhance the portfolio and use it as an accurate tracking system for foundation and government proposals, grants, reports, site visits, and stewardship.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of issues and trends that may impact the Zoo’s funding and prepare briefing documents as requested by the VP to facilitate awareness and discussion of strategic opportunities and challenges in building support for Zoo priorities.
• Ensure representation as appropriate of foundation, corporate foundation and government agency participation in events and prepare required briefing materials.
• Other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in arts, sciences, or other relevant business‑related field or equivalent combination of training and experience required. High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED.) required.
• Three years of directly relevant development, foundation or competitive government funding experience, including developing and executing strategic funding plans and programs, managing budgets, and producing quality deliverables within specific time frames. Proven track record securing major foundation and government funding.
• Creative individual; ability to think strategically and deal with changing priorities, emergent issues, multiple projects, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including verbal, written, listening, and presentation skills. Must be articulate and able to represent the organization effectively. Strong writing skills are essential.
• Must be a flexible and cooperative team player. Ability to juggle emergent issues, multiple projects and meet critical deadlines.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged information.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
• English fluency at a full professional proficiency required.
• Valid driver’s license required at time of hire. Illinois residents must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license or obtain one within 90 days of hire. Valid out‑of‑state driver’s license is required for out‑of‑state residents.

• Experience with Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge or other database management software…