Program Officer, Woods Fund of Chicago

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT—PROGRAM OFFICER

WOODS FUND OF CHICAGO
360 NORTH MICHIGAN, SUITE 1600
CHICAGO, IL 60601

Woods Fund of Chicago is an independent, endowed grantmaking foundation whose mission is to increase opportunities for less advantaged people and communities in the metropolitan area, including the opportunity to contribute to decisions affecting them. The Fund is looking for a program officer with community organizing knowledge and expertise who can inform the Fund’s grantmaking decisions and who can continue to build working partnerships among the Fund, community organizing, and public policy advocates to achieve commonly held goals.

Responsibilities:

This person will serve as one member of a team of three program staff who reviews grant applications and awards, provides information about the Fund to the grantseeking community, encourages the creation of partnerships with and of the area’s less advantaged that can produce changes beneficial to them, and encourages efforts to sharpen change strategies. The Fund is particularly interested in strengthening the voice of community organizing in public policy making, and looks to this staff person for ideas, relationships, and guidance on how to do so.

Specific responsibilities:

* One of a team who provides information and access to community based organizations to apply to the Fund for grants; reviews proposals for potential support through reading written materials, meeting applicants in their communities, and by soliciting views of others; prepares written evaluations and presents recommendations in staff and board meetings; communicates decisions to applicants; monitors progress of grantees by reviewing their reports and through conversations and attendance at their functions; introduces parties to each other for collaborations and/or funding opportunities. These responsibilities encompass 60-70% of the position.



* Stays current in the field of community organizing in the Chicago metropolitan area and around the country, and particularly on methods and experiences of organizing in strengthening public policies.



* Develops and maintains relationships with people in the organizing field, including but not limited to members of the grantseeking community, veteran community organizers around the country, and applied researchers in community organizing.



* Develops and maintains relationship with public and private funders of organizing.



* Stays current on issues, opportunities, activities and developments in low-income communities in the Chicago metropolitan area, particularly those that affect opportunities for employment and greater economic security.



* Keeps the Board of Directors and staff team updated on the organizing field and “best practices” in community organizing that strengthens public policies.



* Participates as a member of the team in implementing the Fund’s mission, which is focused on strengthening public policies that can increase economic opportunity and self-sufficiency through partnerships between community organizing and public policy advocates.



* Participates as a member of the staff team in analyzing patterns of Wood Fund grantmaking, collective results of that grantmaking, gaps, and emerging opportunities.

Qualifications:

* Demonstrated in-depth understanding and analysis of the field of community organizing required; Chicago-based organizing experience desired
* Knowledge of the dynamics of the nonprofit sector required, particularly the unique characteristics of nonprofit organizations and nonprofit finance, the respective roles of community based organizations and private philanthropies in strengthening communities, and the appropriate roles of nonprofits in affecting public policies
* Knowledge of Chicago metro area communities and the public policy environments that affect them required; previous relationships with metro area community organizations preferred
* Demonstrated commitment to grassroots-driven policy change, along with a practical understanding of how such change can happen
* Excellent writing, analytic, interpersonal and organizational assessment skills required
* Ability to assess proposal soundness (coherence of action plans with mission and assumptions about the problem and its solution) and to interpret nonprofit financial information preferred
* Superb relational skills, especially the ability to communicate with and listen and learn from community residents, community leaders, grantees, directors, staff, other funders, and policy makers alike
* Previous grantseeking and grantmaking experience desired
* Demonstrated ability to multi-task, work productively under deadline pressure, and work both independently and as a team; demonstrated willingness to hold oneself accountable for productivity and results
* Computer proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets and databases required
* Demonstrated commitment to the mission, values, and principles of the Woods Fund
* Masters degree and 5 to 7 years of work experience preferred



Work Environment: Multi-level work area; some community organizations or grantee offices may not fully be accessible to the mobility impaired. Position requires frequent computer and phone use. Some evening and weekend work required. Local travel required. Position may involve occasional national travel. Workplace is a smoke- and drug-free environment. Equal opportunity employer.

Salary: Sixties to low seventies

To apply: Please send cover letter, resume, salary history, and salary requirements to search@woodsfund.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone calls.

Applications will be accepted until July 18, 2010.