Assistant Director of Institutional Giving

Scion Nonprofit Staffing has been engaged to conduct a search for an Assistant Director of Institutional Giving for a mission-driven national nonprofit organization focused on strengthening communities, building bridges across differences, and advancing civic engagement. This is a full-time, permanent position based in the organization’s Chicago office.

The Assistant Director of Institutional Giving will play a critical role on the Advancement Team, leading grant proposal and report development while helping shape institutional fundraising strategy, particularly across the organization’s civic and community initiatives. This position will manage a portfolio of foundation prospects and funders, develop compelling funding narratives, and partner closely with program, finance, advancement, and senior leadership teams to translate program strategy and impact into successful funding opportunities.

The ideal candidate brings strong institutional giving expertise alongside an understanding of civic-sector funding and the ability to identify and cultivate funders aligned with bridge building, democracy, community engagement, and civic leadership.

• Competitive compensation: $80,000–$90,000 annual salary with no bonus structure.
• Comprehensive benefits:
  Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, with 100% of employee-only premiums covered.
• Retirement and paid time off:
  Access to a retirement plan and generous paid time off.
• Flexible work options:
  Work remotely from an approved state or onsite from the organization’s Chicago office, with remote employees traveling to Chicago four times annually.
• Meaningful mission-driven work:
  Join a collaborative, adaptable team committed to pluralism, bridge building, inclusive decision-making, and strengthening communities across differences.

• Co-create and execute institutional fundraising strategy for civic and community initiatives in partnership with the Director of Foundation Relations and senior leaders.
• Manage a portfolio of civic foundation prospects and funders, including prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, relationship management, and accurate recordkeeping.
• Lead the development and project management of letters of inquiry, concept notes, grant proposals, interim reports, and final reports in collaboration with advancement, program, finance, and senior leadership teams.
• Develop compelling narratives that translate program objectives, strategies, outcomes, and impact into funding opportunities aligned with prospective and current funder priorities.
• Partner with program leads and other internal stakeholders to understand evolving priorities, develop funding strategies, gather information, and prepare materials for funders and external partners.
• Maintain proposal calendars, deadlines, funder records, strategy documents, and related systems while supporting effective use of Salesforce, SharePoint, and other organizational platforms.

• Demonstrated experience in nonprofit development, institutional giving, philanthropy, civic organizations, community organizations, or a related environment.
• Strong foundation fundraising and grants management experience, including proposal and report writing and/or institutional fundraising strategy.
• Knowledge of civic-sector funding and the ability to identify and engage funders aligned with community engagement, democracy, bridge building, civic leadership, or related initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, project management, relationship management, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail, proficiency with Microsoft Office, and willingness to learn and…