Foundation Relations Officer

About ELPC:

The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.

We show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions effectively by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and advancing clean transportation solutions. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the pivotal Midwest states and in Washington D.C.

We are proud to be the recipient of the American Bar Association's 2023 Award for Excellence in Environmental, Energy, and Resources Stewardship.

LOCATION:  Chicago, IL. Other Midwest locations may be considered. 

ELPC is committed to work-life flexibility and offers a hybrid work environment with the work week split between in-office and remote.

HOURS PER WEEK: Full time (40 hours/week)

REPORTS TO: Chief Development Officer

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Foundation Relations Officer will work to expand ELPC’s foundation grants program as well as manage a portfolio of current grants, which includes both institutional and family foundations at national, regional, and local levels. The Foundation Relations Officer will identify new funding opportunities, effectively engage with funders and foundation program officers, and write persuasive grant pitches and proposals. This position will also work with the Development Team and program staff on current grant reporting and proposal writing. As part of ELPC’s Development Team, this person will provide support for fundraising events and outreach activities as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Produce well-written, compelling, and persuasive letters of inquiry and grant proposals in a timely manner, and pitch them to funders to successfully secure new funding.
• Research and identify new foundation prospects.
• Cultivate relationships with foundation staff and funders.
• Work with ELPC’s development team and program staff to prepare reports and other funding requirements, and renewal proposals in a timely manner.
• Persuasively follow up on submissions to ensure funding success.
• Work with development team to successfully achieve overall fundraising goals, especially by increasing the number of secured grants and amount of revenue raised.
• Work collaboratively with development team on fundraising events and campaigns throughout the year including the annual gala, year-end giving, and other fundraising efforts as assigned.

Education & Experience (years):

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline
• 4-6 years of development experience with a minimum of 2 years focused on foundation relations  and grant writing.
• Demonstrated track record of foundation fundraising successes in achieving major grants.
• Experience and connections within the Midwest environmental philanthropic sector highly desired.

 Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• An entrepreneurial approach to fundraising combined with a passion for ELPC’s mission.
• Exceptional writing skills
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to follow up with current and prospective foundations in a timely manner
• Strong problem solving and negotiating skills. Highly creative/innovative with abilities to persuade and motivate others
• Results oriented with ability to focus on and meet deadlines and goals.
• Environmental knowledge and experience strongly preferred
• Ability to operate independently as well as part of a regional and diverse team
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, especially Word

Estimated travel & related conditions:

• 0 - 10% domestic travel, depending on location (negligible travel if based in Chicago)
• Availability for occasional evening or weekend work

Salary

ELPC offers an attractive salary and benefits package, competitive to leading national environmental non-profits.  Depending on location and experience, salary ranges from $60,000 - $75,000 for full time.

Application Process:

Please upload a cover letter and resume when applying via our website. 

If we find a match between your experience and our needs, we will reach out for an interview.

ELPC’s EEO Statement:

Environmental Law & Policy Center is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and provides consideration for an employment relationship without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, genetic predisposition, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

If you are interested in any of our open positions but are unable to apply via email due to a disability, please email us as [email protected] with a reference to the specific job(s) you are interested in, and we will be happy to assist you.