Grant Manager

Strawdog Theatre Company and Factory Theater are seeking a part-time, contract Grant Manager to help build the foundation of the Rogers Park Artists Cooperative (RPAC) a bold new organization designed to strengthen Chicago’s theater community by sharing resources, talent, and financial responsibilities.

RPAC will serve as a shared hub for Strawdog and Factory in Finance, Development, Marketing, Front of House, and Facilities, with the long-term vision of expanding to support additional theater companies. The Grant Manager will play a key role in securing the resources needed to bring this vision to life.

About the Role
The Grant Manager will be responsible for identifying, drafting, and submitting grant proposals that align with RPAC’s mission. Working under the direction of the Project Manager, this individual will also help design a process for ongoing grant discovery, pursue future sponsorship opportunities, and may assist in other development efforts. This is an opportunity to directly impact the sustainability of multiple theater companies while shaping a new model for collaboration in the arts.
Key Responsibilities
Research and write grant proposals for public and private funders
Create a discovery and tracking process for future grant opportunities
Seek, develop, and secure future sponsorships
Collaborate closely with the Project Manager to align funding strategies
Advise the Strawdog and Factory leadership teams on grant-related work
Ideal Candidate Profile
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
3+ years of experience in nonprofit development
Proven success in writing grants and securing awards
Extensive experience working with 501(c)(3) organizations
Strong preference for candidates with theater/arts experience
Strong preference for candidates with donor management experience
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to be part of the founding team of RPAC and directly contribute to its mission of keeping Chicago theater resilient and thriving. The Grant Manager will help build the financial backbone that ensures artists and companies can continue creating bold, innovative work together.

Contract length: 3 months, with the possibility of extension.