Office Location: This is a fully remote position, engaging with staff and stakeholders through virtual platforms. Preference will be given to candidates based in Chicago, IL or Washington, D.C. This position is not eligible for paid relocation.

Reports to: Senior Director of Institutional Giving

Schedule: Full-time

Mikva Challenge is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to develop youth to be engaged, informed, and active citizens and community members who will promote a just and equitable society.  We do this by engaging youth in an authentic and transformative learning process built on youth voice and youth expertise. Youth in Mikva’s programming experience unique civic learning opportunities. Our approaches include direct youth work, teacher support, and liaising with civic leaders and institutions. We believe strongly in the potential of youth and are committed to youth voice.

Mikva Challenge evaluations show the lasting impact of its programs.

  • 82% of students reported an increase in their civic knowledge.
  • 77% of students developed their sense of civic agency and increased their future commitment to civic action.
  • 83% of students took on new civic leadership.
  • 79% of students reported gains in their socio-emotional skills — many of which have direct academic outcomes.

About the Position

Reporting to the Senior Director of Institutional & Corporate Giving, the Institutional Giving Manager plays a key role in supporting the organization’s institutional fundraising activities with foundation and corporate supporters.

As an integral part of the Advancement team, this position supports annual development planning, grants management, manages their portfolio, and contributes to overall fundraising team goals. The Manager will articulate Mikva Challenge’s mission, programs, and impact to current and prospective donors in a compelling and strategic manner through written grant materials, site visits, and funder meetings.

Core Responsibilities

  • Represent Mikva Challenge by effectively communicating our mission, theory of change, and programs to external and internal stakeholders.
  • Manage a continuous pipeline of funders to meet portfolio development goals.
  • Lead and execute the development of grant materials, including letters of inquiry, proposals, reports, and funder presentations.
  • Collaborate with cross-departmental staff to gather program updates and ensure accurate grant reporting.
  • Ensure compliance with all funder specific, state, and city level government grant compliance requirements, including tracking deadlines, site visits, and regular program updates.
  • Work across teams to support effective relationship management with stakeholders and funders, including participation in Mikva’s programming and events.
  • Research, identify, and prioritize potential funding opportunities, including outreach to prospective funders, in collaboration with the Senior Director of Institutional & Corporate Giving and Advancement team.
  • Contribute to developing the annual fundraising strategy and assist in setting and achieving annual revenue goals.
  • Support corporate sponsorship efforts by attending event planning meetings, tracking outreach, preparing leadership for engagement, and making direct solicitations.
  • Collaborate with communications staff and consultants to create compelling fundraising materials.
  • Maintain accurate donor records in the donor database and shared systems.
  • Provide writing support for development initiatives, including donor acknowledgements, stewardship, cultivation, and funding requests as needed.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience: 3-5 years of fundraising experience, both foundation and corporate fundraising experience a plus.

Qualifications

  • Passion for working with a mission-driven youth leadership non-profit.
  • Experience applying fundraising best practices in a not-for-profit setting; experience with a national non-profit is a plus.
  • Understanding of prospect cultivation and solicitation processes.
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills and a proven ability to create and foster meaningful connections between donors and the organization.
  • Ability to effectively communicate the organization’s mission and goals to a diverse group of stakeholders.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong project management and problem solving abilities.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
  • Self-motivated with strong follow-through and task completion skills.
  • Ability to work independently, collaborate across teams, and report to multiple stakeholders in a remote environment.
  • Ability to adapt to different work styles, behaviors, and team dynamics while maintaining effective collaboration.
  • Proactive, creative thinker who takes initiative.
  • Familiarity with current issues and trends in education, and an understanding of the philanthropic funding landscape for education and youth programming.
  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft and Google Workspace.
  • Experience with a donor database platform such as Salsa
  • Willingness to work periodic evenings and weekends, as needed

Compensation 

The salary range for this position is $60,000 – $69,000 annually commensurate with experience. Please note that the  salary range listed is based on candidates located in Illinois. Candidates in the Washington, DC area may be eligible for a cost-of-living adjustment.

We offer a competitive benefits package including HMO or PPO health care plans, dental, vision, 401(k) retirement plan, generous paid vacation and sick leave, flexible spending account, short- and long- term disability, life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program.

How to Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter to careers@mikvachallenge.org with “Institutional Giving Manager” in the subject line. Please, no phone calls. Review of applications will begin immediately.

Equity Statement

Mikva Challenge is an equal opportunity employer and we highly value diversity in our workplace. Mikva Challenge provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. Applicants from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized communities, including people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply.