Director of Institutional Partnerships

Organization Overview

Nourishing Hope, formerly known as Lakeview Pantry, is a dynamic Chicago nonprofit providing food and social services for anyone in need. Founded in 1970, we’re one of the largest and longest operating hunger relief organizations in Chicago. We also provide free, trauma-informed mental health counseling and other social services, such as job and housing assistance. We strive to serve the needs of the whole person — with respect and dignity, always.

Nourishing Hope offers our neighbors nutritious food using a choice-based distribution model and access to life-changing social services including:

• Monthly food distribution and additional produce pickup through five different food access programs;
• Home delivery services for older adults, homebound neighbors and neighbors living with disabilities;
• Social services including case management, mental health counseling, job search support, domestic violence intervention, referrals and public benefits assistance (SNAP, healthcare, government forms) for anyone in need.

Nourishing Hope serves tens of thousands of people each year, providing more than 4 million meals through our programs, in addition to partnerships with other community organizations. This year, Nourishing Hope will provide about 200,000 food and social services to our Chicago neighbors.

Position Summary

The Director of Institutional Partnerships is responsible for developing and managing a comprehensive, strategic development plan to cultivate and solicit support from corporations, foundations, and government institutions. This role includes executing major fundraising events and establishing long-term partnerships, strengthening existing relationships, and initiating new contacts across multiple sectors.

Essential Job Functions

Funder Portfolio Management

• Lead a portfolio of 50-75 active funders, including designing strategies, generating meetings, creating and submitting proposals, submitting donor impact reports, and stewarding relationships within the pipeline.
• Prospect new funding in support of department wide goal

Supervision and Team Management

• Supervise the Manager of Institutional Partnerships and the Institutional Partnerships Associate to ensure the overall revenue stream is driving toward the goal.
• Support the development of goals and revenue projections for the institutional partnerships portfolio.

Budget and Financial Management

• Manage the department budget and collaborate with the Chief Development Officer and Leadership Team to prepare annual revenue projections and regular reporting.

Special Events Oversight

• Oversee Nourishing Hope’s special events, including third-party event revenue and the annual gala.

Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Oversee key stakeholder relationships for Nourishing Hope, including its Young Leaders Board, chamber relationships, and communications with government officials. 
• Represent the organization in donor meetings, community events, and other opportunities throughout the year.
• Oversee the stewardship of new business opportunities through corporate volunteerism.
• Solicit and steward in-kind donors (including food and other items) in collaboration with Nourishing Hope’s food sourcing team.

Government Grants and Contracts

• Oversee the application process for government grants and contracts, including researching opportunities, preparing and submitting applications, and managing timelines.
• Oversee prospecting efforts to identify new funding sources and opportunities.
• Oversee the vouchering process to ensure timely and accurate invoicing, reimbursement, and financial reporting, maintaining meticulous records and documentation to support compliance and audit requirements.

Donor Cultivation and Documentation

• Support donor cultivation and solicitation documentation through Salesforce, including pipeline management, call notes, and ticklers.

General Support

• Provide support to the Chief Development Officer, within scope of job.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5-7 years of fundraising or related experience with at least 3 years of management or leadership experience. 
• Demonstrated ability in proposal writing for varied proposal development as well as delivering presentations to decision makers and large groups. 
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Google and use of relational databases such as Salesforce and Classy. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of methods, practices and procedures for obtaining information about the giving programs of corporations and foundations; and ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective donors.
• Demonstrated knowledge of event fundraising and logistics, third party event activation and peer-to-peer online giving.
• Ability to maintain a high-level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances. 
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting. 

Background Check

Because we are a Medicaid provider all applicants who are offered employment with Nourishing Hope will be subject to a background screening. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background screening conducted in accordance with Nourishing Hope policy and federal, state and local law.