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Foundation Associate Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Gateway Foundation

Development Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

Location: 315 N Racine Ave Chicago, IL 60607 The Development Associate is responsible for: * Plan ... Support corporate and foundation fundraising efforts, including prospect research, sponsorship ...

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Showing results 21-40

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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:

Foundation Associate jobs near you

Senior Manager, Foundation Giving

United Way Of Metropolitan Chicago

Chicago, IL • On-site

$75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

POSITION: Senior Manager, Foundation Giving

DEPARTMENT: Strategy & Development

REPORTS TO: Associate Vice President, Development

PAY GRADE: 7

STATUS: Full Time, Exempt

SALARY RANGE: $75,000-$75,000

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO

United Way of Metro Chicago is the largest private funder and most effective convener of human services in the Chicago region. United Way of Metro Chicago fights for the health, education, financial stability and safety of every person in every neighborhood across the Chicago region. We go beyond single-issue solutions and temporary fixes to impact millions of lives every year, unleashing the potential of greater Chicago…neighborhood by neighborhood.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Manager, Foundation Giving, is responsible for raising funds from foundations throughout the Chicago region through strategic prospecting, high-quality grant writing, and effective project management. This role oversees the full lifecycle of foundation grant opportunities—from identifying and researching prospects to developing compelling proposals and ensuring timely reporting while stewarding funder relationships. The Senior Manager, Foundation Giving collaborates closely with resource development, community strategy, finance, and marking and communications teams to coordinate deadlines, align messaging with organizational priorities, and deliver accurate, data-informed content. This position is ideal for a detail-oriented, deadline-driven professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and execution.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manage a portfolio of foundation donors and prospects, including all phases of the development process—identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
  • Collaborate with organizational leadership to build and activate relationship strategy for current and prospective funders.
  • Write, edit, and finalize high quality and compelling materials including letters of inquiry, proposals, and reports.
  • Create and maintain a master calendar of submission and reporting deadlines, ensuring timely delivery. Track and share deadlines, submissions, and deliverables through the CRM of record.
  • Collaborate with the community strategy, programs, finance, and marketing and communications teams on data collection, program content, and program budgets.
  • Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective funders; identify alignment with organizational priorities, keeping abreast of key giving trends and opportunities.
  • Oversee grant reporting process for foundation funders, ensuring compliance with deliverables and effective communication of program outcomes.
  • Partner with the Corporate Grants Manager on internal grant processes and content alignment.
  • Produce internal dashboards and progress reports for leadership and board reporting.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES

  • The core responsibilities listed above are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned by Senior Management.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • A minimum of 5 to 7 years of foundation fundraising experience, including experience in the successful solicitation of $100,000+ gifts.
  • Exceptional written communication and storytelling skills.
  • Demonstrated success in managing grant proposal and reporting workflows involving multiple stakeholders and timelines.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively across departments.
  • Highly organized, meticulous attention to detail, ability to multi-task, prioritize, delegate, and execute concurrent projects and day to day tasks.
  • Ability to be discreet and maintain highly confidential information required.
  • Possess a collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit, self-motivated, innovative, resourceful, flexible; consistently delivers a high level of service to the team and organization.


PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Guided by a clear set of Core Values and Behaviors – Passionate About the Work, Good Teammate, Being Curious, and Equity Minded, you will join an impressive group of individuals and contribute your diverse set of experiences, skills and characteristics to the organization.

  • Accepts guidance and responds well to feedback.
  • Displays maturity, good judgment, enthusiasm, and personal motivation.
  • Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to anticipate workload and effectively cultivate and leverage relationships with colleagues to meet deadlines.
  • Collaborative entrepreneurial spirit, ability to multi-task and prioritize concurrent projects and day-to-day tasks within a high production and fast-paced environment.

BENEFITS OFFERED

  • Medical, Dental and Vision
  • Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Disability Leave
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Family Leave
  • Employee Assistance Program


  • 401k Plan
  • Paid Time Off including: Personal Time, Sick Time & Paid Holidays


TO APPLY: Candidates must officially apply through our website with a cover letter and resume.


The responsibilities listed above are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work required in the role. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as assigned. We believe the term “diversity” incorporates all the characteristics that make us both alike and unique: our backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, lifestyles, identities, gender, points of view, approaches to solving problems, ways of working, and views of personal and career success. It is the intent of United Way to follow both the letter and the spirit of local, state, and federal laws governing Equal Opportunity Employment as those laws exist today and as they may change in the future.