Organization Overview
Nourishing Hope is a Chicago nonprofit working to end food hunger and address its root causes. Founded in 1970, we have evolved from a traditional food pantry into a comprehensive organization providing nutritious food, social services, and mental health support to individuals and families across Chicago.
We support the whole person with with respect, dignity, and compassion through:
- Five food access programs providing monthly groceries—including fresh produce, protein, grains, canned goods and other pantry staples—plus Bonus distributions offering additional food throughout the month.
- Home delivery for older adults, homebound neighbors and neighbors living with disabilities.
- Social services including case management, mental health counseling, job search support, domestic violence intervention, referrals and public benefits assistance (SNAP, healthcare, government forms) for anyone in need.
Each year, Nourishing Hope provides nutritious food and essential support to tens of thousands of Chicagoans. In 2025, we distributed more than 6 million pounds of food, served 50,000 neighbors, and provided more than 7,000 social services, including over 3,400 free mental health counseling sessions.
When you join Nourishing Hope, you become part of a team committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors and strengthening our Chicago communities.
Position Summary
The Individual Giving Associate works closely with the Manager of Individual Giving and Director of Individual Giving, and the development team to support the fundraising strategy for online and offline fundraising campaigns. This position will build and leverage relationships and create strategic moves for grassroots donors and prospects.
Schedule and Locations
This position primarily works out of Headquarters located at 1716 W. Hubbard Street. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm. This role has a hybrid opportunity to work remotely 2 day(s) per week.
Essential Job Functions
- Support the Manager of Individual Giving in identifying strategies to grow overall individual giving revenue.
- Schedule and host donor tours and visits with appropriate teammates, including Director of Individual Giving, as a means to engage and meet personally with the organization’s donors.
- Support the Manager of Individual Giving with the moves management process for grassroots donors and manage a small portfolio of lapsed mid-level supporters.
- Assist Manager of Individual Giving with recurring giving program which accounts for $468K + in annual revenue.
- Within the assigned portfolio, lead, research and identify new and existing prospects for the annual fund.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree
- 1-2 years of fundraising experience
- Experience with Google suite, Microsoft Office programs and use of relational databases such as Salesforce and online fundraising portals.
- High level of attention to detail and emotional intelligence.
- Excellent oral and written communication and persuasion skills.
- Knowledge of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and techniques.
- Ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective donors and interact via telephone and in person with large groups and donor/family representatives.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting and manage up accordingly.
Preferred
- At least one year of experience in individual giving
- Demonstrated record of success in executing on an individual giving plan
Salary and Benefits
Salary Range: $23.00-$26.50 per hour depending on experience
Full-time benefits include:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
- Generous paid time off
- Paid birthday holiday
- Employee Assistance Program
- Parental leave
- Language pay
- $250 employee referral bonus
- Free subscription to mental wellness app
Background Check
Because we are a Medicaid provider all applicants who are offered employment with Nourishing Hope will be subject to a background screening. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background screening conducted in accordance with Nourishing Hope policy and federal, state and local laws.
We kindly ask that agencies and recruiters refrain from reaching out. Unsolicited sales messages will be blocked and reported as spam.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- 1-2 years of fundraising experience
- Experience with Google Suite and Microsoft Office programs
- Experience using relational databases such as Salesforce and online fundraising portals
- High attention to detail and emotional intelligence
- Excellent oral and written communication and persuasion skills
- Knowledge of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and techniques
- Ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective donors and interact by telephone and in person with groups and donor or family representatives
- Ability to collaborate in a team setting and manage up
- At least one year of individual giving experience
- Demonstrated success executing an individual giving plan
What We Do
Nourishing Hope is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization (formerly Lakeview Pantry) that strengthens communities by providing equitable access to nutritious food and essential support services with dignity. The organization works with neighbors to overcome hunger, improve mental wellness, and achieve a better quality of life through food distribution, mental health counseling, and social services.
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