Senior Foundation Relations Officer

The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts, demonstrating that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. Our work advances climate solutions, protects the Great Lakes, defends wild and natural places, and ensures safe, clean water and healthy air for all. ELPC combines public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis to produce strong environmental results across the Midwest and in Washington, D.C.

About the role

The Senior Foundation Relations Officer (SFRO) will help manage ELPC’s large portfolio of current foundation grants and expand the grants program by identifying and securing new funding opportunities. The SFRO will manage ELPC’s busy grants calendar, oversee a portfolio of high-level ($50,000+) grants and prospects, and cultivate strong relationships with foundation staff and funders. This role involves writing persuasive letters of inquiry, grant proposals, and reports, as well as collaborating with leadership, development team members, and program staff to meet grant requirements and secure increased funding.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage work to meet a busy calendar of grant deadlines.
• Proactively engage leadership and program staff in the development of proposals and reports with ample lead-time.
• Produce well-written, compelling, and persuasive letters of inquiry, grant proposals, and reports.
• Cultivate strong relationships with foundation staff and funders.
• Follow up on submissions to ensure funding success.
• Research, identify, and solicit new foundation prospects.
• Engage regularly with leadership to strategize approaches to new funders.
• Prepare leadership and program staff for funder meetings.
• Work with the development team to achieve overall fundraising goals, especially by increasing the number of secured grants and revenue raised.
• Collaborate on fundraising events and campaigns, including the annual gala, year-end giving, and other efforts as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.
• 7–10 years of development experience, with a minimum of 3–4 years focused on foundation relations and grant writing.
• Demonstrated track record of identifying and securing increased and new foundation grant funding.
• Experience and connections within the Midwest environmental philanthropic sector highly desired.

Skills

• Entrepreneurial approach to fundraising combined with a passion for ELPC’s mission.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Results-oriented with the ability to meet deadlines and achieve goals.
• Ability to follow up with current and prospective foundations promptly and effectively.
• Strong problem-solving and negotiating skills.
• Highly creative and innovative, with abilities to persuade and motivate others.
• Ability to operate independently as well as part of a regional and diverse team.
• Environmental knowledge and experience strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, especially Word.

Schedule

• Full-time (40 hours/week).
• Hybrid work environment in Chicago, IL, with required days in the office each week.
• 0–10% domestic travel with occasional overnight travel.
• Availability for occasional evening or weekend work.

Pay

ELPC offers an attractive salary and benefits package, competitive with leading national environmental non-profits. For those meeting the minimum education and experience requirements, the annual salary will range from $95,000 to $110,000.