What are the responsibilities and job description for the Divisional Grants & Corporate Relations Manager position at The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division?
The Salvation Army's Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Division is located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. The division is home to 26 Worship and Community Centers (Corps), 67 service extension units, a camp, as well as multiple homeless shelters, thrift stores and food pantries. Service extension units are branches of The Salvation Army in communities where Corps are not located but service is provided by committees of volunteers. As a whole, our organization is made up of thousands of officers, soldiers, adherents, employees, volunteers and other individuals all working together to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people, as well as working to meet the physical needs of those less fortunate. The Salvation Army Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Division is the administrative unit which provides services to people in need in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. We are an organization dedicated to Doing the Most Good in your community! Apply now!
This is a professional fundraising position. Candidates must have direct, hands-on fundraising experience within a nonprofit, higher education, healthcare, faith-based, or similar fundraising environment.
The Divisional Grants & Corporate Relations Manager will secure institutional funding to support life-changing programs that meet human needs in Jesus' name without discrimination. Combines strategic grant writing with proactive corporate relationship building and sponsorship cultivation to generate sustainable revenue for essential services, including emergency shelter, food assistance, housing support, youth development, holiday programs, and spiritual care across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Collaborates closely with program staff, leadership, and officers to align fundraising efforts with the organization's mission.
About The Role
Grant Writing & Management (40% of time)
Education: Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, public administration, or a related field.
Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of direct fundraising experience, including significant responsibility for grant writing, grant management, corporate fundraising, sponsorship solicitation, donor cultivation, and revenue generation. Candidates must demonstrate a track record of securing funding from foundations, corporations, government agencies, or major institutional funders. Experience supporting programs without direct fundraising responsibility does not satisfy this requirement.
The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.
This is a professional fundraising position. Candidates must have direct, hands-on fundraising experience within a nonprofit, higher education, healthcare, faith-based, or similar fundraising environment.
The Divisional Grants & Corporate Relations Manager will secure institutional funding to support life-changing programs that meet human needs in Jesus' name without discrimination. Combines strategic grant writing with proactive corporate relationship building and sponsorship cultivation to generate sustainable revenue for essential services, including emergency shelter, food assistance, housing support, youth development, holiday programs, and spiritual care across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Collaborates closely with program staff, leadership, and officers to align fundraising efforts with the organization's mission.
About The Role
Grant Writing & Management (40% of time)
- Research, identify, and prioritize funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, government agencies, and other institutional sources that align with The Salvation Army's programs in Milwaukee County.
- Write compelling Letters of Inquiry (LOIs), full grant proposals, budgets, and supporting materials that highlight program outcomes and community impact in Milwaukee County.
- Manage the full grant lifecycle, including preparation, submission, tracking, compliance, and timely reporting.
- Partner with program teams to collect statistics, success stories, client outcomes, and financial data for proposals and stewardship reports.
- Maintain an accurate grants calendar, prospect pipeline, and records in the donor database.
- Assist and consult with Officers and development staff throughout the division with grant opportunities and submissions.
- Ensure all submissions reflect The Salvation Army's values of compassion, integrity, and care.
- Build and manage a portfolio of corporate donors and prospects in the Greater Milwaukee area.
- Assist Officers and development staff with corporate partnerships throughout the division.
- Develop and pitch corporate sponsorship opportunities, cause-related marketing partnerships, employee volunteer and giving programs, matching gift campaigns, and in-kind donation requests.
- Cultivate long-term relationships with corporate leaders through meetings, site visits to Milwaukee County Salvation Army programs (e.g., shelters, food pantries, or holiday distributions), events, and personalized stewardship.
- Negotiate sponsorship agreements and partnership terms that create mutual value while advancing The Salvation Army's mission.
- Identify opportunities to engage local businesses in supporting key initiatives such as the Red Kettle Campaign, toy and coat distributions, and emergency assistance.
- Track revenue, pipeline activity, and progress toward targets; prepare regular reports for leadership.
- Work with the communications team to develop impact reports, case statements, and materials that demonstrate how funds transform lives in Milwaukee County.
- Stay informed on local funding trends, corporate social responsibility (CSR) priorities in Wisconsin, and best practices in faith-based nonprofit fundraising.
- Participate in donor cultivation events, community outreach, and occasional evening or weekend activities (including Red Kettle or holiday events) as needed.
- Accurately record all donor interactions and gifts in the CRM system.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, public administration, or a related field.
Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of direct fundraising experience, including significant responsibility for grant writing, grant management, corporate fundraising, sponsorship solicitation, donor cultivation, and revenue generation. Candidates must demonstrate a track record of securing funding from foundations, corporations, government agencies, or major institutional funders. Experience supporting programs without direct fundraising responsibility does not satisfy this requirement.
- OR - Any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.