Director of Institutional Partnership

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Full Time Management Chicago, IL, US

Salary Range: $85,000.00 To $85,000.00 Annually

New Life Centers of Chicagoland connects young people and their families to Christ and Community through mentoring, education, sports and play, restorative justice, and community care. New Life Centers operates in five neighborhoods in Chicago in the Little Village, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, Brighton Park, and Archer Heights communities of Chicago. Our holistic program model enables us to fulfill our Mission and Vision:
Young people and their families connecting with Christ and Community through restorative justice, safe spaces and life-on-life relationships to create the Beloved Community together.

The Director of Institutional Partnerships position is full-time, 40 hours per week (exempt, benefits eligible) and will take place remotely with visits to the Chicago offices twice a year. The Director of Institutional Partnerships leads New Life Centers’ efforts to secure philanthropic revenue from foundations, corporations, and government agencies by developing and managing strategic institutional funding relationships that support the organization’s mission and growth.

The role oversees the full institutional fundraising lifecycle—from prospecting and proposal development to reporting and stewardship—while providing leadership to a Grants Specialist and Grant Writer to ensure strong compliance and high-quality submissions. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Director collaborates closely with program, finance, and development teams to align institutional partnerships with organizational priorities and achieve annual fundraising goals.

Will require out of state travel (reimbursable). Pay commensurate with experience.

• Develop and lead an annual institutional fundraising strategy focused on foundations, corporations, and government funding.
• Build, maintain, and grow a strong pipeline of institutional funding prospects.
• Manage a portfolio of institutional funders and prospects.
• Meet or exceed annual institutional revenue goals through strategic prospect development, relationship management, and grant acquisition.

• Through partnerships, identify opportunities beyond traditional grants, such as sponsor ships and strategic or collaborative initiatives.
• Participate in cultivation and stewardship of relationships with foundation program officers, corporate giving leaders, and government partners.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for high-level institutional funders.
• Prepare senior leadership for funder meetings, site visits, and stewardship activities.
• Participate in funder meetings, site visits, and partnership discussions.
• Oversee the full grant lifecycle, including prospecting, proposal development, submission, reporting, and renewals.
• Write complex or strategic grant proposals and reports, delegate and guide staff on routine submissions.
• Review and edit proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports to ensure quality, clarity, and compliance.
• Ensure proposals clearly communicate organizational priorities, program impact, and funding opportunities.
• Manage and monitor the grants calendar to ensure timely submissions and reporting aligned with revenue goals.
• Supervise and mentor the Grants team.
• Set priorities and manage workflows to ensure timely proposal submission and reporting.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development.
• Conduct annual performance reviews.
• Partner with program…