Position Title: Senior Grant Writer
Classification: Exempt, Full-Time
Reports To: Director of Behavioral Health & Education
Location: TURN Center – 4444 S. Evans, Chicago, IL
About Bright Star Community Outreach:
Over the course of our proud seventeen-year history, Bright Star Community Outreach (BSCO) has made significant contributions to the renewal of Chicago’s most vulnerable communities as a 501C3 nonprofit organization. Driven by our hope for change in this city and the families that call it home, Bright Star’s presence has been marked by effective programming, social development, and advocacy, particularly in the greater Bronzeville community of Chicago’s South Side. Led by founder and CEO, Pastor Chris Harris, Sr., who grew up in the Bronzeville neighborhood where we are currently located, our strategy includes developing impactful community development initiatives aimed at facing our largest societal challenges: violence in our communities, poor economic opportunities, inadequate mental health services, affordable housing, and education. These efforts are designed to strengthen local families and communities, as well as leverage our key partnerships with organizations and businesses that share our passion for seeing renewal in Chicago.
Position Overview
Bright Star Community Outreach (BSCO) is seeking an experienced, strategic, and results-driven Senior Grant Writer to lead the organization's grant writing efforts and secure institutional funding from foundations, corporations, healthcare systems, and government agencies.
Working closely with the Director of Development, Executive Director, Finance Department, Program Directors, and the Data & Evaluation Team, the Senior Grant Writer will research funding opportunities, write compelling grant proposals, coordinate proposal submissions, and prepare grant reports that effectively communicate BSCO's impact and measurable outcomes.
This position plays a critical role in advancing the organization's mission by securing institutional funding that supports strategic priorities and organizational sustainability. The successful candidate will maintain an active grants pipeline, develop competitive proposals, and produce 40-60 high-quality grant submissions annually, while consistently identifying funding opportunities that generate a significant return on the organization's investment. Candidates should have a documented history of securing at least $2–5 million in cumulative grant funding over their career.
Key Responsibilities
Grant Research & Prospect Development
- Research and identify foundation, corporate, healthcare, local, state, and federal funding opportunities that align with BSCO's mission and strategic priorities.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive grants calendar outlining proposal deadlines, reporting requirements, and funding opportunities.
- Continuously identify new funding prospects to diversify and strengthen BSCO's institutional funding portfolio.
- Monitor emerging philanthropic and government funding trends.
Grant Proposal Development
- Research, write, edit, and submit competitive grant proposals, letters of inquiry, concept papers, sponsorship requests, and renewal applications.
- Develop compelling, data-driven narratives that clearly communicate community need, organizational capacity, measurable outcomes, sustainability, and impact.
- Produce 40-60 high-quality grant submissions annually, ensuring each proposal meets the highest standards of quality and competitiveness.
- Collaborate with program leadership, finance staff, and the Data & Evaluation Team to gather program information, budgets, outcomes, and supporting documentation.
- Ensure all grant applications are complete, accurate, and submitted on or before established deadlines.
Cross-Department Collaboration
Provide grant writing support across all BSCO departments, including:
- Behavioral Health
- Education
- Workforce Development
- Community Engagement
- Health & Wellness
- Violence Prevention
- Organizational Development
Collaborate with department leaders to develop funding strategies that support program expansion and organizational priorities.
Organizational Support
- Participate in strategic planning discussions related to institutional funding opportunities.
- Assist in developing proposal templates, grant resource libraries, and standardized organizational language.
- Maintain current organizational statistics, impact statements, and supporting materials for future proposals.
- Support special funding initiatives as assigned by the Director of Development.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Journalism, Business Administration, or a related field required.
- Master's degree preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible grant writing experience.
- Demonstrated success securing funding from private foundations, corporate foundations, healthcare systems, and local, state, and federal government agencies.
- Proven experience writing successful six-figure and seven-figure grant proposals.
- Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and research skills.
- Strong understanding of nonprofit program development, outcomes measurement, and evaluation.
- Experience developing grant budgets and collaborating with finance staff.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
- Experience using grants management software and CRM systems is preferred.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional persuasive writing and storytelling skills.
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical abilities.
- Outstanding research and prospect identification skills.
- Excellent project management and organizational skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to synthesize complex information into compelling funding narratives.
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting critical deadlines.
- Self-directed with the ability to work independently.
- Commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
Work Environment
- Occasional attendance at organizational meetings and planning sessions.
- Limited travel throughout the Chicagoland area as needed.
- Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to meet proposal deadlines.
- Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm
Performance Expectations
Success in this position will be demonstrated through:
- Submission of 40-60 competitive grant proposals, renewal applications, and institutional funding requests annually.
- Development of a strong and diversified institutional funding pipeline.
- Increased institutional funding secured for BSCO.
- Timely submission of all grant proposals and required reports.
- Consistent production of compelling, data-driven grant narratives.
- Strong collaboration with program, finance, development, and evaluation teams.
- Maintenance of an organized grants management system and proposal library.
- Generation of institutional funding that significantly exceeds the organization's annual investment in the position.
Key Performance Indicators
The Senior Grant Writer will be evaluated on, but not limited to, the following:
- Maintain an active grants pipeline aligned with BSCO's strategic priorities.
- Meet or exceed annual grant revenue goals established by the Director of Development.
- Achieve 100% on-time submission of grant applications and reports.
- Maintain accurate grant records and proposal documentation.
- Produce funding proposals that generate a measurable return on investment for the organization.
- Contribute to the long-term financial sustainability of BSCO through successful institutional funding.
Benefits
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance with a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). Optional Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options are available, along with supplemental disability insurance. BSCO also provides employer-paid life insurance, supplemental life insurance options, paid time off (PTO), and paid holidays, consistent with organizational policies.
Salary: $75,000
Application
To apply, please submit:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Three professional grant writing samples (redacted if necessary)
- A summary of successful grants secured, including approximate award amounts and funding sources (preferred)
Applications should be submitted to:
LaKreshia Kindred
Executive Director
Bright Star Community Outreach
[email protected]
Equal Opportunity Statement
Bright Star Community Outreach is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Pay: $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
