Research & Insights Analyst

ABOUT THE RICHARD L. DUCHOSSOIS FOUNDATIONThe Richard L. Duchossois Foundation (RLD) was founded in 2022 and launched formal operations in 2024. The Foundation is committed to addressing seemingly intractable social problems with imagination and passion. We strive to improve the lives of families and veterans, and to cultivate entrepreneurs through data driven and collaborative approaches to funding. We seek to practice philanthropy with rigor and from a place of listening and strive to be a learning organization – to always seek greater understanding of our funding priorities.While our home and our priority is the Chicago region, we may consider national efforts that are aligned with our mission, values and goals. ABOUT THE DATA STRATEGY & INSIGHTS TEAMRLD Foundation’s Data Strategy & Insights team provides a backbone for the foundation's commitment to evidence-informed grantmaking and sector-wide learning. We strive to transform data from a compliance exercise into a catalyst for change, building a continuous cycle of inquiry, insight, and action within RLD Foundation, across our grantee partners, and throughout Chicago's social sector ecosystem.RLD Foundation is building a team of data scientists and researchers to advance six interconnected areas of work: generating data-driven insights to inform grantmaking strategy; embedding iterative strategic learning processes into grant portfolio management; developing monitoring and evaluation systems that measure what matters; building grantee data capacity to help partners unlock the value of their own information; and strengthening ecosystem-wide data infrastructure where possible; and designing and building robust internal and public-facing data systems and tools.Throughout our work, the team champions data principles that are purposeful, community-grounded, and capable of driving lasting, systemic change. JOB SUMMARYRLD Foundation seeks a curious and rigorous researcher to join our data strategy and insights team. In this role, you'll help curate and generate the evidence and insights that inform our grantmaking strategy, deepen our understanding of the issues and communities we serve, and strengthen field-wide learning through transparent knowledge-sharing.Reporting to the Director of Data Insights & Strategy, the Research & Insights Analyst will work at the intersection of research, strategy, and practice: conducting literature reviews, leading analysis and interpretation of raw data, supporting strategic learning and evaluation processes, synthesizing learning from our grantmaking, producing accessible research products, and facilitating knowledge-sharing with grantees, partners, and the broader ecosystem. The Research & Insights Analyst’s research will draw from three interconnected sources: insights gleaned from RLD Foundation's grantmaking and engagement processes (stakeholder conversations, community input, grantmaking materials); landscape research and field literature relevant to RLD Foundation's focus areas; and public and private datasets that illuminate trends and inform strategy.You'll synthesize these diverse forms of evidence—qualitative and quantitative, internal and external—into actionable insights that shape our grantmaking and strengthen the field. The ideal candidate is both researcher and translator: someone who can synthesize complex information, facilitate collaborative learning, and communicate insights in ways that spark action. You excel at building relationships across diverse stakeholders, from community organizers to academic experts, and creating knowledge products that move beyond traditional reports to maximize impact.Working in partnership with program staff and data scientist colleagues, the Research & Insights Analyst will bring expertise in qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, participatory research practices, and the interpersonal skills needed to help organizations learn and adapt together. KEY RESPONSIBILTIESResearch & Strategic Insights• Scan, synthesize, and curate research on topics relevant to RLD Foundation's priorities within the Strong Families, Veterans, and Entrepreneurs program areas —conducting literature reviews, identifying evidence gaps, and monitoring policy developments and field innovations• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses to inform RLD Foundation's grantmaking strategy, help answer research questions, and address organizational learning priorities to identify trends, patterns, gaps, and opportunities across the Foundation’s portfolios• Build and maintain deep subject matter expertise through ongoing community and stakeholder engagement, field scanning, and relationships with academic researchers, think tanks, and other subject matter experts• Synthesize learning from RLD Foundation's grantmaking, analyzing qualitative data from grants documentation, site visits, grantee reports, convenings, and community feedback• Partner with Program Directors and grantees to understand knowledge gaps, develop co-created research agendas, and identify opportunities for RLD Foundation to commission research or data collection to help fill these gaps• Support ecosystem mapping analyses to identify and analyze the roles of philanthropies, nonprofits, and sector intermediaries, including their grantmaking priorities, strategies and tactics, and relationship coordination functions• Contribute to the design and tracking of indicators and metrics that can help RLD Foundation better understand baselines, progress and trends in its focus issue areas• Maintain organized systems and databases for tracking research, insights, and evidence over timeKnowledge Products & Communications• Draft white papers, issue briefs, case studies, and research memos for internal and external audiences that share RLD Foundation’s learning transparently with the field• Create compelling, innovative research products that move beyond traditional reports: developing data stories, visual narratives, interactive tools, infographics, multimedia content, and other creative formats designed to maximize uptake and translate findings into practice and impact• Contribute to annual reports, Board materials, and public-facing content about RLD Foundation's learning• Present research findings to internal teams, grantee partners, and other external audiences• Represent the RLD Foundation in research and learning networks relevant to our issue areasStrategic Learning & Facilitation• Design and facilitate regular collaborative reflection sessions with program staff to surface learning from internal and external research, discuss what resonates and how it can inform strategic decisions• Create systematic processes for documenting, synthesizing, and sharing learning with grantees, co-funders, and field partners• Build feedback loops that ensure research insights inform strategy, grantmaking decisions, and organizational practice• Develop accessible frameworks and tools that help program staff integrate research and learning into their work• Organize and facilitate learning cohorts, communities of practice, or peer exchanges among granteesCommunity-Centered Research & Engagement• Center community lived experience as a critical source of evidence and insight and ensure research approaches honor community expertise• Develop participatory research methods that meaningfully engage community members in knowledge creation• Design and implement processes for ongoing community engagement, documentation, and responsive action• Build relationships with community-based researchers, organizers, and leaders in RLD Foundation's issue areas• Partner with grantees to strengthen their own research and evaluation capacities, helping them design learning frameworks that serve their missions Apply tot his job