Administrative Assistant Job in Chicago, IL | Contract to Hire Role at National Nonprofit

Administrative Assistant Job in Chicago, IL | Nonprofit

Published on: Aug 5, 2026

Frontline Source Group is recruiting a full time, onsite Administrative Assistant for a national nonprofit foundation in the Chicago, IL area on a contract to hire basis. The role supports daily operations, the annual scholarship program, donor records in DonorPerfect, and foundation events. On conversion to direct hire, the placement carries the 5-Year Placement Warranty. Qualified candidates can apply at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html.

Frontline Source Group is a Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firm for 9 consecutive years (2018 to 2026), ranked #158 in 2026, and a Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firm ranked #148 in 2026. The firm is a 9-time ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both Client and Talent satisfaction, a ClearlyRated Diamond Award recipient, an Inc. 5000 honoree, and an Expertise.com Best Staffing Agency, with a 5.0-star rating across 675 plus verified reviews on Trustpilot. Founded in Dallas in 2004, Frontline operates 32 plus offices nationwide, has completed 5,619 plus placements, and maintains a 98.94% executive placement retention rate versus a roughly 70 percent industry average. The firm is a member of the American Staffing Association (ASA).

What is this Administrative Assistant role in Chicago, IL?

A national nonprofit foundation in the Chicago, Illinois area is seeking an Administrative Assistant to join its team. This is a full time, onsite contract to hire opportunity supporting the daily administrative operations of the foundation, including its annual scholarship program, donor and alumni records, and signature fundraising events. The role suits an organized administrative professional who is comfortable working with the public and managing several projects at once.

What are the responsibilities of this Administrative Assistant position?

The Administrative Assistant supports foundation operations across administration, the scholarship program, donor records, and events. Core responsibilities include:

  • Support the daily administrative operations of the foundation and serve as a first point of contact by phone, email, and in person
  • Maintain office organization, supplies, filing systems, program materials, and event inventory
  • Assist with the annual scholarship program, including monitoring applications, tracking required documentation, maintaining scholar records, and preparing materials for committee review
  • Maintain donor, alumni, scholar, and mailing records in DonorPerfect, and review database records for accuracy, duplicates, address changes, and inconsistencies
  • Schedule Board of Directors and committee meetings, prepare meeting materials, and take and distribute formal meeting minutes with follow up tracking
  • Prepare donor thank you letters, tax receipt letters, mailing lists, and other correspondence
  • Provide administrative and logistical support for the annual Awards Ceremony and Gala Weekend and other foundation events, including registrations, guest lists, signage, name badges, and event materials
  • Assist with vendor and volunteer coordination, update approved website content using Wix, and support email communications, proofreading, and printed materials
  • Perform general administrative duties including filing, copying, scanning, binding, deliveries, and hands-on event and office preparation

What background and experience does this role require?

The foundation is seeking a candidate with the following required qualifications:

  • Based in the Chicago area and able to work regular in-office days
  • Two to three years of administrative experience
  • Proficient in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage several projects at once within set deadlines
  • Able to work independently, solve routine problems, and recognize when guidance is needed
  • Comfortable working with the public by phone, email, and in person

Preferred qualifications that strengthen an application include familiarity with DonorPerfect or a comparable donor CRM with strong data entry skills, familiarity with SmarterSelect or a comparable application management platform, experience using Wix, familiarity with Eventlify or a comparable event registration platform, nonprofit experience in scholarships, development, or events, and experience taking formal meeting minutes.

What are the hours and seasonal demands for this role?

This is a full time onsite role in the Chicago area. Additional hours are expected during peak scholarship season from late January through March and event season from April through June. Evening and weekend work is required during the Awards Ceremony and Gala Weekend period, including several consecutive days onsite at the host hotel. Candidates should be comfortable with a workload that flexes around the foundation's scholarship and event calendar.

How does Frontline Source Group screen candidates for this role?

A Frontline Source Group recruiter on the administrative desk reviews each applicant against the foundation's requirements before presenting a shortlist. The recruiter confirms administrative experience, Google Workspace and Microsoft Office proficiency, donor CRM familiarity, and comfort with public-facing work, then prepares matched candidates for interviews. This screening protects both the candidate and the hiring foundation and supports Frontline's 98.94% executive placement retention rate.

How do you apply for this Administrative Assistant job in Chicago, IL?

Qualified candidates can apply at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html, where you submit your resume and connect with a recruiter on the administrative desk. Employers with administrative or office support roles to fill can reach the team through the frontlinesourcegroup.com/employer-request-form.html. You can also explore Frontline's administrative staffing practice at frontlinesourcegroup.com/administrative.html.

Frequently Asked Questions: Administrative Assistant Job in Chicago, IL

What is the Administrative Assistant job in Chicago, IL?

It is a full time, onsite contract to hire position at a national nonprofit foundation in the Chicago, Illinois area, supporting daily operations, the annual scholarship program, donor records in DonorPerfect, and foundation events. Frontline Source Group is recruiting for the role. Candidates apply at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html.

Is this Administrative Assistant role onsite or remote?

This is a fully onsite role in the Chicago area. The foundation requires regular in-office days and public-facing support by phone, email, and in person, along with onsite event work, so candidates must be based in the Chicago area rather than remote or hybrid.

What is a contract to hire position?

Contract to hire lets you and the employer evaluate the fit before a permanent commitment. You work as a contract employee first, and if both sides agree, the role converts to a permanent direct hire. On conversion to direct hire, the placement is backed by Frontline Source Group's 5-Year Placement Warranty, which runs 20 times longer than the 90-day industry standard guarantee.

What experience is required for this Administrative Assistant role?

Required experience includes two to three years of administrative work, proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, excellent written and verbal communication, and strong organizational skills. Candidates must be based in the Chicago area, able to work regular in-office days, and comfortable working with the public.

What software and tools does this role use?

The role uses Google Workspace and Microsoft Office daily, plus donor and event platforms. Preferred familiarity includes DonorPerfect or a comparable donor CRM, SmarterSelect or a comparable application management platform, Wix for website updates, and Eventlify or a comparable event registration platform.

What qualifications are preferred but not required?

Preferred qualifications include familiarity with DonorPerfect, SmarterSelect, Wix, or Eventlify, nonprofit experience in scholarships, development, or events, and experience taking formal meeting minutes. These strengthen an application but are not required for consideration.

What are the hours and seasonal demands for this role?

This is a full time onsite role. Additional hours are expected during peak scholarship season from late January through March and event season from April through June. Evening and weekend work is required during the Awards Ceremony and Gala Weekend period, including several consecutive days onsite at the host hotel.

What does this Administrative Assistant do day to day?

Day to day work includes serving as a first point of contact, maintaining donor records in DonorPerfect, supporting the scholarship application process, scheduling board and committee meetings, taking formal minutes, preparing donor correspondence, and providing logistical support for foundation events and the annual gala.

How does Frontline Source Group screen candidates for this role?

A Frontline Source Group recruiter on the administrative desk reviews each applicant against the foundation's requirements, confirms administrative experience, software proficiency, donor CRM familiarity, and comfort with public-facing work, then prepares matched candidates for interviews. This protects both the candidate and the hiring foundation.

How do you apply for this Administrative Assistant job?

Qualified candidates apply at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html, where you submit your resume and connect with a recruiter on the administrative desk. There is no cost to the candidate to work with a Frontline recruiter.

Does it cost anything to work with a recruiter as a candidate?

No. Working with a Frontline Source Group recruiter is free for candidates. The recruiter reviews your resume, prepares you for interviews, and advocates on your behalf, while the hiring company covers the placement fee.

What makes Frontline Source Group a trusted staffing partner?

Frontline holds Forbes recognition for 9 consecutive years (2018 to 2026), a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 675 plus verified reviews, a 98.94% executive placement retention rate, and 9-time ClearlyRated Best of Staffing awards for both Client and Talent. Every direct hire is backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty.

share on LinkedIn