About Urban Growers Collective

Urban Growers Collective is a Black- and women-led non-profit farm in Chicago, Illinois working to build a more just and equitable local food system. We aim to address the inequities and structural racism that exist in the food system and in communities of color. Rooted in growing food, our mission is to cultivate nourishing environments which support health, economic development, healing, and creativity through urban agriculture.

We provide hands-on job training and create economic opportunities for youth, beginner BIPOC farmers, and men who are at high risk for gun violence. Our aim is to provide jobs while working to mitigate food insecurity and limited access to affordable, culturally-affirming, and nutritionally-dense food.

Our team cultivates eight urban farms on 11 acres of land, predominantly located on Chicago’s South Side. These farms are production-oriented but also offer opportunities for staff-led education, training, and leadership development. Our produce is available at farmers’ markets, in our Collective Supported Agriculture program, and at the Fresh Moves Mobile Market.

To apply, please upload a cover letter, resume and three professional references and 2 writing samples showcasing your grant writing skills

on our Career page: https://urbangrowerscollective.apscareerportal.com/jobs

Only complete applications will be considered.

Position Summary

The Development Associate assists in writing, reporting and prospecting grants to support Urban Growers Collective’s annual fundraising. This includes recurring grants, major gifts programs, planned giving, individual donors, and special events. The Associate reports directly to the Development Manager in all development and fundraising endeavors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

Fundraising and Development

Grant Writing and Project Support (70% 25 hrs/week)

Assist Development Manager in the writing and content creation for grants and major gifts, planned giving, individual donors including proposal writing, creating and coordinating letters of support, reporting on grant activities.

Maintain and track grant progress and deadlines, support scheduling and communications with program officers, as assigned.

Assist with research, proposal layout, documentation of project and reporting requirements for major gifts from foundations, corporations, and government contracts.

Assist with special fundraising events, including capital campaigns, annual gala, and annual fundraising drives;

Comfortable soliciting donations and reporting on grant activities in person, via virtual conferencing/video calls, and over the phone;

Donor database management (25% 10hrs/week ):

Assist with contact, donation, and revenue database management via CRM software (Keela), including summarizing meeting notes, data entry, running reports, and queries;

Assist with individual donor cultivation, including mailings, stewarding of recurring donors, and payment processing;

Assist with financial and file management, including organization of budget, grant award letters and other documentation in Google Drive

Administration (5% - 2hrs / week):

Promote UGC programs at special events and community meetings, including the creation of slide-decks and presentations;

Produce and distribute correspondence of letters and emails, as well as acknowledgment and thank-you letters; via CRM, email and postal services.

Maintain appropriate supplies for projects; filing, typing, copying, binding, and scanning.

Complete weekly work plan and daily checkouts;

Submit accurate timesheets & expense reports;

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

A Bachelor’s degree is required, masters degree preferred;

Minimum of two-years related experience in fundraising and development; • Strong and proven writing and time management skills required for this position;

Excellent attention to detail, organizational and problem solving skills; • Robust written communication skills; strong editing skills and ability to write clearly and concisely;

Strong computer skills with proficiency in Google Suite (Gmail, Google Drive, docs/sheets/slides)

Experience with CRM database management;

Ability to work in an open-office environment;

Excellent organizational, communication and follow-through skills; • Maintains appropriate professional boundaries in working with co-workers and teens;

Ability to think critically and creatively;

Willingness to work as part of a team in a collaborative environment, but have the ability to work unsupervised to complete the job;

Passion for food justice, youth development and urban farming;

Required: COVID-19 Vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption with mandatory weekly testing; and

Required: Able to work on holidays / weekends (if needed).

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions:

Must be willing and able to work in an open-office environment; and

Position will require prolonged use of a computer, to be provided by Urban Growers Collective.

Schedule

This is a full-time salaried position, 40 hours per week;

Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm (regular schedule) / 10:00a-7:00p (if evenings required);

Breaks: 2 - 15 minute breaks (paid) + 30 minute lunch (unpaid); and

Occasional evening hours will be required to participate in farm and community events. Start time will be flexed to accommodate change in schedule.

Compensation: $40,000 - $43,000 (commensurate with experience)

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Holidays, Vacation Pay, Personal/Sick Pay, Wellness Benefits, Employee Assistance Program, Student Loan Assistance Program