Summary:
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the nation's largest independent foundations. The Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world.
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur invests in solving some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news, expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, and strengthening the well-being of Native communities. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program and the global 100&Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India.
The Grants Management department partners with Program teams to maximize the effectiveness and impact of MacArthur’s grantmaking. Grants Management works to continuously improve the Foundation’s grant operations and processes, advises on best grantmaking practices including compliance-related concerns, and manages grantmaking data and information in support of a learning culture and improved grantmaking.
The Administrator, Grants Management will report to the Associate Director, Grant Operations and will provide grants management support across a select portfolio of grants. In addition, the Grants Administrator will provide administrative support to the grants management team. This entry-level role provides an excellent opportunity to learn about foundations, grantmaking operations, and grants management systems.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Grants Management
Enter grants data in the grantmaking system ensuring that grant records are complete with current contacts, coding, payments, reporting requirements, and documentation
Review grants data and triage coding questions with the data management team.
Follow-up and update grantee contact records based on research from the data management and guidance from staff
Follow-up and correspond with grantees and Finance regarding outstanding payment forms and changes to authorized banking contacts to expedite payment processing
Help to ensure that grantee requirements are received and approved.
Work with staff to reconcile and close grantee records at regular intervals throughout the year
Serve as floating staff to support the team during workload spikes and absences.
Support the review and responses to letters of inquiry (LOI)
Communicate on routine inquiries from applicants, grantees, and Foundation staff
Administrative and Communications
Provide administrative and logistical support to the grants management team, including scheduling and travel arrangement
Offer support during team meetings by crafting agendas and taking notes on decisions and action items
Foundation and Sector Engagement
Participate in Foundation-wide meetings, cross-department committees, training programs, and other tasks, as needed
Participate in professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date on developments in the field and compliance requirements
Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and 1-2 years work experience
Proactive, self-motivated, and team-oriented work style
Excellent customer service orientation and strong written communication skills
Excellent attention to detail and follow-through
Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications
Aptitude and interest in learning and working in databases
A strong interest in philanthropy, grants management, and/or nonprofit organizations
Commitment to equity demonstrated in lived experiences
Oriented toward personal and organizational learning and growth
Preferred Qualifications:
Prior administrative experience or similar activities, and
Prior experience performing data entry
The position is hybrid and based in Chicago, Illinois.
Annual salary for this role will start at $73,900. We offer a generous total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and a comprehensive benefits package to support your life, health, and well-being.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
The work environment is an office setting. Intermittent physical activities will include bending, reaching, sitting, and moving around the office during working hours. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable a person with disabilities to perform the job. Reasonable accommodations are also available during the interview process.