For more information and to apply please visit: Woods Fund
Description
ABOUT
WOODS FUND CHICAGO:
Woods
Fund Chicago (WFC) is a bold grantmaking foundation that finds and funds
organizations that draw on the power of communities to fight the brutality of
structural racism and economic injustice. It promotes social, economic, and
racial justice through the support of community organizing and public policy
advocacy that engages people that are most impacted. Woods Fund Chicago has
been on a years-long, intentional journey to center equity and justice in its
work, build community through its grantmaking, and support partners more
holistically across Chicago. Visit woodsfund.org for more information on how these
ideals are put into practice.
THE
OPPORTUNITY:
Woods
Fund Chicago is looking for a dynamic individual excited about joining a new
team during a period of organizational, programmatic, and culture change to
manage the Foundation’s grantmaking portfolio.
The
Program Officer reports directly to the Vice President of Programs and will
work closely with them on defining conceptual and strategic directions for
grantmaking that ensures alignment with Foundation goals and values. An eye to
“disrupt” current, traditional philanthropic practices is desired.
The Program
Officer has responsibility for grant-making, grantee solicitation to apply for
funding, providing technical support to new applicants and grantees, reviewing
grant requests for new applicants, monitoring grants to support the
Foundation’s mission, implementing grantee convening, coordinating external
evaluation processes, and understanding of current organizing practices/trends
and developing deep relationships with the community organizing sector.
The
Program Officer will work with the Vice President of Program to align Woods
Fund’s grantmaking to adhere to the principles of racial justice and
trust-based philanthropy. This position would also manage one of two capacity
building programs that the Foundation implements. The Program Officer will assist
the Vice President with any identified special projects and policy and research
initiatives.
The
Foundation is looking for an individual who aligns with community practice,
understands the movement building and organizing landscape in Chicago, is
knowledgeable of current organizing and advocacy strategies, has excellent
relationship building skills and can help shape the Foundation’s grantmaking
strategy to be even more responsive and supportive to the organizing/advocacy
sector in Chicago.
The
strongest candidates for the Program Officer role will be able to demonstrate
their ability to thrive in the organization’s emerging work norms:
- Purpose-driven: Grounded in
the work, aware of the impact that is possible, and able to purposely
engage and collaborate with others internally and externally to move the
work forward
- Innovation: Able and eager to
identify new opportunities, strategies, and approaches to philanthropy
within and outside of traditional systems and structures
- Entrepreneurialism: Ability
to present ideas to reimagine supporting community based organizing groups
in Chicago
- Ideas and inquiry: Generate
ideas, then test those ideas internally and externally to establish
original methods and points of view
- Comfort with ambiguity:
Possess the confidence and flexibility to successfully work in an
environment where experimentation is encouraged
- Growth mindset: An individual
who is always learning, growing, improving, open to feedback is one that
would fit into the culture of the foundation.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Grantmaking
and Program (approximately 70% of the position)
- Lead all aspects of WFC’s
grantmaking and programmatic work with a racial justice lens
- Effectively manage grants
programs with high quality report generation, grant review and evaluation
(and helping us to reimagine these elements of grantmaking)
- Work closely with the Vice
President of Programs on overarching grantmaking documents, processes,
strategies, and evaluation procedures
- Establish, cultivate, and
invest in relationships with key people and organizations that help the
Foundation achieve its mission and serve as a positive and trustworthy
steward of the Foundations’ relationships, resources, and priorities
- Support the role and
activities of the President and Vice President in directing and managing
the Foundation’s relationships in the wider philanthropic and nonprofit
community
- Identify service gaps, define
areas appropriate for the Foundation to address
- Provide a critical analysis
to grant portfolio
- Maintain timely knowledge of
community and policy issues encompassed in the Foundation’s mission and
the work of grantee partners
- Research best practices and
program models in the field of capacity building, and supporting BIPOC
leadership, that could be implemented in the Foundation’s target
communities
- Create and facilitate a
community of learning among grantee partners and provide feedback to
grantees to foster optimal achievement of goals
- Manage one of two programs in
addition to grantmaking: Capacity Building Initiative or Cultivate Women
of Color leadership program
- Participate in the design and
ongoing review of the Foundation’s strategic plan, program priorities, and
policy initiatives
- Develop and support
workgroups or other appropriate governance structures to guide and support
the Foundation’s programmatic efforts
Administration
and Special Projects (approximately 30% of the position)
- Attend and present at board
or committee meetings and provide support with the preparation of
materials and documents
- Assist the President and Vice
President in representing the Foundation at community and philanthropic
events and activities
- Assist with the development
of Foundation documents and materials, such as press releases and annual
reports, and contribute to the Foundation’s social media presence
- Protect the organization by
keeping information confidential
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of five years of
experience in community organizing and/or public policy advocacy
- Direct experience working
with community-based organizations
- Ability to plan and evaluate
programs and initiatives
- Understanding of how systems
work, intersect, and influence one another, along with knowledge of how to
create impact in community organizing and advocacy outside of traditional
systems and structures
- Ability to utilize data to
inform decision-making and narrative change
- Ability to manage up and
across the Foundation to effectively engage colleagues and to keep
important initiatives and programs moving forward
- Excellent written and verbal
communication skills
- Strong research skills
- Strategic, analytical problem
solver, who identifies and leverages resources to advance grantmaking
- Knowledge of, and high
comfort level with, computer software systems: Google GSuite, Asana,
PowerPoint, Excel, and video conferencing
We
know that BIPOC and women or female identifying candidates are less likely to
apply to jobs unless they meet every requirement. Please do not be deterred.
You may be exactly who we are looking for!
WORK
ENVIRONMENT:
- This is a full-time position.
Evening and weekend work are occasionally required.
- The Foundation’s staff are
currently working a hybrid in-office and remote schedule and taking all
necessary precautions due to COVID-19. This position will likely remain
hybrid for the foreseeable future.
- To center the safety and
well-being of its employees, as an employer we require that any employee
who is required to conduct in-person activities for their job must be
fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Accommodations may be sought and
approved in accordance with the law.
- Ordinarily, this position
operates primarily in an accessible office environment. Some travel to
grantees and other off-site locations in the Chicago area is required.
Some may not be accessible.
- Workplace is a smoke- and
drug-free environment.
- Woods Fund Chicago is an
Equal Opportunity Employer. Decisions and criteria governing the
employment relationship with all employees are made in a
non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed,
religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,
age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital
status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other
factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes.
COMPENSATION:
- Salary is in the
$100,000-$115,000 range, commensurate with experience
Benefits
Comprehensive
benefits package includes employer-paid medical insurance, employer-matched
contribution to a retirement plan, and generous paid leave
For more information and to apply please visit: Woods Fund