GPA Chicago Area is an affiliate of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), a national nonprofit membership association which builds and supports an international community of grant professionals who are committed to serving the greater public good by practicing the highest ethical and professional standards.

The GPA Chicago Area Chapter currently consists of over 80 members who are involved within the grants profession.  Members serve in a variety of capacities within the grants profession that include: foundation relations, evaluation, budgeting, and serving as federal peer reviewers.  Many of our members work for nonprofit agencies, schools, government agencies, hospitals, foundations, and as consultants. The current chapter leadership includes seasoned professionals and recent retirees as well as newcomers to the grants field.

We invite all those interested in exploring the rewarding grant profession, personal and professional growth and meaningful connections to join us. For more information visit our membership page to learn more.

The Chicago Chapter has proven to be an invaluable career resource for grant professionals in the Midwest region. Read member comments: 

“The initial group of founders were committed to improving the profession as a whole, as well as for supporting local opportunities for networking, information sharing and referral”.  Doris Heroff, Consultant at Grant Specialist USA, Inc. 

“GPA has been a great resource for professional development and for networking”. Nathan Medina, Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations, former national and local Board member 

“The GPA–local and national–continues to be the primary source of knowledge and ideas for the work I continue to do on a freelance basis”. Sylvia Peters, Principal, The Peters Group 

“Connecting and sharing with other colleagues at our chapter events has certainly helped me in so many aspects of my work over the years as a grants professional”. Monica DiVerde, Grants Manager, CASA Lake County 

In summer 2021, GPA Chicago celebrated its 15th anniversary. (Click here to see a copy of the founding charter.)

Images of the first program book in 2008 (GPA Chicago formerly American Association of Grant Professionals), meeting at former Marshall Field’s Walnut Room, chapter dinner at 2019 National Conference in Washington, DC