Key Responsibilities

• Identify, Recommend, and Support Grants and Partner Organizations (approximately 50% of the time)
  • Review grant proposals, including assessing goals and outcomes, organizational capacity, and financial health. Conduct site visits across Cook and Lake Counties. Prepare detailed recommendations, including qualitative and quantitative analysis, for grant funding.
  • Review interim and final grantee reports, with a focus on assessing outcomes and capturing organizational learning.
  • Nurture and maintain strong, supportive relationships with nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders in the education ecosystem. Engage in relevant meetings, forums, workshops, boards, commissions, and networks on behalf of the organization.
  • Maintain a wide breadth and depth of knowledge of current trends, practices, and developing policies related to the Foundation’s mission.
• Special Projects and Communications (approximately 35% of the time)
  • Collaborate with the Foundation team to conceptualize and implement large-scale special project(s), including likely project(s) in the arts space.
  • Collaborate with the Foundation team to draft and maintain the foundation’s internal and external communications, including language for the Foundation’s website, internal presentations, and external communications.
• Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement (approximately 15% of the time)
  • Contribute to internal initiatives, including meetings, process improvements, and projects.
  • Work toward personal goals for professional development.
  • Provide training and guidance for Foundation interns.

Work Environment

• We are a small team and value a hybrid work environment, which includes two-three days a week in our Chicago office. Site visits and other required meetings will frequently occur throughout Chicago and Lake County, Illinois.
• The COVID-19 vaccination is required.
• Vivo Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees in a harassment-free environment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Qualifications

• A strong commitment to the Foundation’s mission of educational equity.
• A minimum of seven years of relevant work experience, ideally in the arts and/or experiential learning space.
• A track record of operating with excellence, integrity, and discretion.
• Excellent oral and written communication and collaboration skills.
• Comfort with a fast-paced, ‘start-up’ work environment.
• Demonstrated capacity to prioritize and manage multiple diverse projects simultaneously.
• Candidates who identify as persons of color, first generation college students, and/or individuals with lived experience that is applicable to this role are strongly encouraged to apply.

Compensation

• A competitive salary commensurate with experience and an annual merit-based bonus. Compensation will be discussed in the candidates’ first interview.
• Comprehensive benefits including Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, and Vision), Basic Term Life/AD&D Insurance, Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Paid Parental Leave, 401k, Employee Giving Program, and Flexible Paid Time Off.