Nonprofit Planning Associate

Are you looking for a mission-driven non-profit where your skills can help people in need around the world? At the Jewish United Fund (JUF), we take pride in our mission and in having a work culture that fosters a sense of belonging and feels rewarding, supportive, and inclusive. We have a hybrid schedule and offer generous benefits including a 401(k) match, up to 22 days of paid time off (starting with 15), up to 11 sick days (starting with 7), and up to 21 paid holidays. The salary range for this role is $55,000-$58,000.

 

Overview:

The Jewish United Fund (JUF)’s Planning & Allocations Department (P & A) stewards communal resources to respond to the most critical needs facing our community, maximizing the impact of every dollar raised. The department’s core objectives include:

• Drive community planning: assess communal needs, set strategic funding priorities, and identify new initiatives
• Invest/allocate dollars in Chicago, Israel, nationally, and around the world
• Engage volunteer leaders in data analysis, decision-making, advocacy and ambassadorship

 

What you’ll be responsible for:

You'll be part of a team that works on community planning, volunteer engagement, and resource allocation aimed at making a positive impact in the Chicagoland Jewish community. This position will primarily support JUF’s Community Building & Jewish Continuity Commission (CBJC). CBJC advances Jewish education, engagement, and community connection through planning and grantmaking across a broad portfolio of organizations and initiatives.

This position will also contribute to the work of other P&A Commissions, the Overall Planning and Allocations Committee (OPAC), and department-wide priorities as needed. Collectively, JUF’s planning and allocations department allocates $70+ million in community resources each year.

This work includes but is not limited to conducting agency due diligence, supporting community planning projects, maintaining project timelines and tracking deliverables, conducting research to assist with planning efforts, working on data visualization strategies to communicate compelling impact stories, creating meeting materials including slide decks, providing general meeting support, and collaborating with other internal departments and external organizations.

This position is ideal for someone who is organized, efficient, and detail-oriented; takes initiative; and wants to use their nonprofit experience to strengthen Jewish education, engagement, and community life.

 

What you’ll be doing:

• Providing a high level of support to the CBJC Commission’s planning and allocation process by assisting with the creation of detailed meeting agendas, materials, and PowerPoint slide decks; reviewing program and budget materials; and ensuring effective onboarding and engagement of lay leadership.
• Maintaining workplans and timelines for assigned community-planning initiatives; tracking deliverables, decisions, and action items; coordinating follow-up; and flagging issues requiring attention.
• With guidance from the management team, supporting the collection, organization, summary and visualization of data related to Jewish education and Jewish engagement needs and impact; creating impact stories and reports for lay leadership; and assisting with impact measurement and the development of evaluation tools
• Conducting research to advance stated CBJC community planning priorities.
• Supporting special community planning and organizational efforts and convenings in areas including, but not limited to, young adult/adult engagement, camp, and family programming, day school educator pipeline development, literacy, early childhood education, inclusion, youth engagement, and responses to emerging community needs. 
• Serving as a point of contact for day-to-day questions from JUF’s CBJC and Jewish day school organizational partners.
• Providing updates and facilitating information sharing among JUF’s CBJC, and Jewish day school organizational partners.
• Supporting the development, collection and review of annual reporting and corresponding allocations related to CBJC organizations and Jewish Day Schools.
• Representing the Planning & Allocations department to other JUF departments and partner organizations.
• Supporting JUF Campaign and mandatory campaign-related activities on an ongoing basis.
• Assisting, as needed, with the development of PowerPoint slide decks and other meeting materials for JUF’s Overall Planning and Allocations Committee (OPAC) with a high degree of sophistication, timeliness, and accuracy.

 

What you need to succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of office experience
• Knowledge and experience in a non-profit setting or the human service field
• Requires discretion and independent judgement in performing all aspects of the position (meeting facilitation, budget review)
• Ability to use technology, including approved AI and emerging digital tools, to improve efficiency and quality of work
• Strong writing, research, and oral communication skills
• Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with lay leaders and professionals
• Organized and detail oriented, with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office Suite of Products, and competency/comfort learning new platforms
• Demonstrated ability to engage, convene, and build relationships with diverse volunteer and professional stakeholders
• Experience leading and coordinating committees, working groups, or networks of professionals and volunteers
• Experience fostering collaboration among volunteer leaders, community stakeholders, and professional staff

 

What you’ll love about us:

At JUF, you can be part of one of the largest non-profit social welfare institutions in Illinois. We provide food, refuge, healthcare, education, emergency assistance, and essential services to 500,000 Chicagoans of all faiths and millions of Jews around the world. We offer medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with base contribution and match, additional health and wellness benefits, financial benefits, professional training, tuition reimbursement, paid family leave, and much more. We have a flexible schedule with core hours and the ability to work from home / remote a few days per week (for most positions) on a hybrid basis.

Salary Range: $55,000-$58,000

Status: Union Eligible