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Foundation Associate Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Development Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national non-profit dedicated to helping individuals with substance ... The Development Associate is responsible for: * Plan and execute individual giving initiatives ...

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Showing results 1-20

Foundation Associate information

See Illinois salary details

$26.2K

$136.8K

$300.9K

How much do foundation associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for foundation associate in Illinois is $136,835.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,700.00 and $205,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Foundation Associate do?

A Foundation Associate typically supports the daily operations of a philanthropic foundation or nonprofit organization. Their duties often include coordinating grant applications, assisting with fundraising events, managing communications, and maintaining donor databases. They also help prepare reports, conduct research on prospective grantees, and provide administrative support to senior staff. This entry-level role offers exposure to the nonprofit sector and can be a stepping stone for more senior positions in fundraising or program management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Foundation Associate?

To thrive as a Foundation Associate, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a background in nonprofit management or a related field, often supported by a bachelor’s degree. Familiarity with grant management software, donor databases like Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge, and basic financial tracking tools is typically required. Excellent communication, relationship-building, and teamwork abilities help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure effective fund management, foster positive donor relations, and support the foundation’s mission-driven initiatives.

What are some common challenges Foundation Associates face when managing multiple grants and projects simultaneously?

Foundation Associates often juggle several grants and projects at once, which can present challenges in prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and ensuring clear communication with stakeholders. Staying organized and detail-oriented is essential, as Associates typically manage application reviews, reporting requirements, and correspondence with grantees. Collaborating effectively with program officers and other team members helps distribute the workload and maintain a smooth workflow. Developing strong time-management skills and using project management tools can make these challenges more manageable and help ensure the success of funded initiatives.

What is the difference between Foundation Associate vs Fundraising Coordinator?

AspectFoundation AssociateFundraising Coordinator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer associate's degreeHigh school diploma; some roles may prefer bachelor's degree
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, foundations, charitable institutionsNonprofit organizations, charities, fundraising events
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in foundations and grant-making entitiesCommon in nonprofit and charitable sectors
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level roles in foundationsCompared for roles involving event planning and donor engagement

The Foundation Associate typically handles administrative tasks, grant research, and supporting foundation programs, often requiring basic credentials. The Fundraising Coordinator focuses more on organizing fundraising events, donor outreach, and campaign management. While both roles work within nonprofit sectors, the Foundation Associate is more administrative, whereas the Fundraising Coordinator emphasizes active engagement and event execution.

Do foundations pay well?

Foundation associates typically earn a salary that varies based on experience, location, and organization size, with entry-level positions often paying between $40,000 and $60,000 annually. More experienced roles or those with specialized skills can pay higher, especially in larger or well-funded foundations. Benefits such as health insurance and paid time off are also common components of compensation packages.

What are the most commonly searched types of Foundation jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Foundation jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Foundation Associate jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Foundation Associate job openings:

$23 - $27/hr

Part-time

Life, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Foundation Coordinator
Sleep Research Society Foundation (SRSF)
Location: Hybrid - Darien, IL (local candidates only)
Hourly Range: $23-27 per hour
Hourly Commitment: Up to20 hours per week
Company Overview
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is the only professional society in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine. Founded in 1975 and based in Darien, IL, AASM advances sleep care and improves lives through education, advocacy, research, and accreditation. We represent more than 11,000 accredited member sleep centers and individual members nationwide.
In pursuit of improving sleep health and promoting high-quality patient-centered care for all people, the AASM is dedicated to fostering a culture that is committed to excellence, inclusive, flexible, collaborative, appreciative, supportive, and innovative. Our staff connects to these team values in many ways, and we are looking for others who would like to experience the same.
We support work-life balance through a flexible hybrid work environment with Wednesday as an anchor day to promote connection and collaboration. Managers with direct reports are required to be onsite on Wednesdays. All employees report onsite twice per year for two consecutive days for all-staff meetings and functions. This position will require initial on-site training. Due to these requirements, only local candidates will be considered for positions requiring onsite presence.
Position Overview
The Sleep Research Society (SRS), managed by AASM, is a professional organization dedicated to advancing sleep and circadian science, and its philanthropic arm, the Sleep Research Society Foundation (SRSF) supports that mission by funding research and recognizing scientific achievement through grants and awards.
The SRS is seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized Foundation Coordinator to support and execute the SRSF's grant and award programs. This part-time role serves as a key point of contact for grant applicants, recipients, and institutions while coordinating grant administration, reporting, communications, and promotional activities. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator with excellent project management skills who enjoys working both independently and collaboratively to support the advancement of sleep and circadian science research.
What You'll Do
  • Coordinate the administration of SRS Foundation grant programs, including applicant communications, grant agreements, payments, reporting, and grant closeouts.
  • Maintain grant records and data within the grants management system, ensuring accuracy, reporting, and data integrity.
  • Track and analyze grant outcomes, manage follow-up surveys, and prepare reports for committees, leadership, and annual reporting.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for grant recipients, institutions, and program inquiries via phone and email.
  • Develop and coordinate promotional content that highlights grant opportunities and award recipients across newsletters, the website, and social media.
  • Create and collect marketing materials, testimonials, and visual content to showcase Foundation impact and support conference-related promotion.

What We're Looking For
  • Associate degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
  • Strong organizational, time management, and project coordination skills.
  • Excellent written communication skills with the ability to prepare clear reports, correspondence, and promotional content.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with members, volunteers, grant recipients, and staff.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, and Zoom.
  • Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate records and data.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in a medical or health care association, and/or philanthropic organization
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Experience in grants management
  • Experience with survey software (LimeSurvey, Microsoft Forms, Cognito)
  • Experience with Smartsheet and Canva

Our Culture
The AASM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and a recipient of the 2025 Best Workplaces in Illinois award. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Aside from the great job opportunity, we offer a collaborative and fun work culture with amazing benefits. Visit "Working at AASM" for a glimpse of AASM work life.
  • Flex-time hours
  • Paid Time Off
  • Business casual environment
  • Service recognition and peer-to-peer platform
  • Weekly Wellness Wednesdays
  • Twice daily plank breaks
  • Seasonal staff events