Program Officer - Woods Fund - Chicago

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 

Youth Advisory Council, Program Manager - Comic Relief - New York

Comic Relief Application 

About the job

Comic Relief US’s (CRUS) Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is composed of trail-blazing young leaders from communities most impacted by poverty, from across the US and globally. The YAC is engaged in our annual grantmaking process and the holistic program consists of workshops, public speaking opportunities at virtual events, a mentorship program, and the launch of a new fund. The inaugural YAC Juntanza “grantmaking” Fund launched in 2021 and ignites intergenerational social change by centering the voice and vision of marginalized youth globally. The Juntanza Fund supports youth-led programs focused on the critical challenges that emerged for young people during the COVID-19 pandemic including hunger, access to quality education and mental health services. This participatory grantmaking strategy further enhances CRUS’s commitment to new, innovative approaches to achieve the organization’s mission of a just world free from poverty.

 

The YAC Program Manager is the YAC program lead and will oversee the development and implementation of YAC 2.0 with support from the YAC Consultant and CRUS Grants team. This role is essential to ensuring the YAC’s successful transition from a pilot program into a sustainable, permanent program within CRUS. The YAC Program Manager will lead on the recruitment of new YAC 2.0 council members, the development and implementation of the annual program including the Juntanza Fund grants portfolio, and facilitate up to 2 monthly meetings and workshops with the YAC. This role will support CRUS’ thought leadership goals and will work in partnership with YAC members and CRUS teams to develop new creative content and communications opportunities. This position will report to the VP, Grant Programs.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

YAC Program Management (65%)

• Develop, execute, and facilitate the 4 pillars of the YAC program (Workshops and Curriculum, Mentorship program, Juntanza Fund, Thought leadership and Communications) with the VP, Grant Programs and Consultant:
• Design program model for Cohort 2: program timeline, refined curriculum, candidate guidelines, application process and tools
• Review the draft evaluation plan and survey for Cohort 2 (baseline, interim, final)
• Lead the selection process for Cohort 2
• Curate and lead workshops with co-facilitators or guest speakers
• Ensure that the YAC is anchored in trusting relationships and has ample opportunities for YAC members to grow and exercise their leadership
• Recruit a new cohort each year and continue to engage YAC alumni
• Manage the YAC annual program budget

 

Juntanza Fund Grants Management & Grantee Relationships (20%)

• Oversee the participatory grantmaking of the Juntanza Fund to ensure a timely and seamless process with the leadership of the council members. In partnership with the Grants team and Consultant:
• Refine and define the Juntanza Fund goals and expectations for year 2
• Refine the proposed application and selection process; coordinate with key CRUS staff on the legal/financial process
• Review and recommend reporting process for final grantees
• Identify/invite youth-led organizations to apply for grants
• Conduct an initial review of grant applications
• Support Cohort 2 in their review/approval of final Juntanza Fund grantees
• Provide input on executive summaries for top 8-10 grant candidates to be recommended to the Grants Committee/Board
• Support Cohort 2 in the design and delivery of their presentation and recommendations to the Grants Committee/Board
• Manage the YAC email account and respond to inquiries from Juntanza Fund grantees
• Review, with voluntary support from YAC members, interim and final Juntanza Fund year 2 grant reports
• Support internal learning opportunities about participatory grantmaking, impact and relevant issues
• Collect and maintain data in Foundant; run reports on impact data as required
• Conduct research and assess concept notes/proposals for potential Juntanza Fund Grantee Partners, as needed

 

Thought Leadership, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement (10%)

• Collaborate across CRUS teams to connect YAC members to external speaking & professional development opportunities
• Collaborate across CRUS teams to integrate the YAC program and members into the rest of the organization
• Serve as a consultative partner to other departments looking to leverage YAC work, youth-led / participatory frameworks, including providing feedback on CRUS content
• Research and write issue briefs/talking points for senior leaders that pertain to the work of the YAC
• Play key roles in coordination, content and design of YAC thought / field leadership gatherings in the participatory grantmaking field and with other youth councils / leaders

Grants Team (5%)

• Maintain the Grants team and CRUS apprised of key YAC updates and activities
• Supervise and project manage any interns or junior consultants who may be hired to support the YAC

These responsibilities, as outlined, are not meant to imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the Program Manager. S/he is expected to perform other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.

 

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• A minimum of 5 years of proven experience with participatory grantmaking and/or developing and managing successful programs in the nonprofit or philanthropic sector that advance equity and justice initiatives for children and young people
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian Pacific Island, queer, disabled, and undocumented youth leaders in advancing equity and justice initiatives for children and young people
• Demonstrated commitment through lived and/or work experience, educational background, and volunteer experience to poverty alleviation and social justice
• Experience working virtually with youth ages 15-25 of diverse backgrounds; strong personal commitment to equity and inclusion
• Strong participatory leadership, management and organizational development skills
• Strong analytical, written, and oral communication/presentation skills with great attention to detail
• Digital platform management proficiency
• Collaborative working style with commitment to the highest standards of ethics and confidentiality
• Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and digital security best practices, particularly as it relates to children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• Undergraduate degree in a related field is required
• Fluency in a second language is ideal

 

PERSONAL QUALITIES AND ABILITIES

• Passionate about and committed to CRUS’ mission, vision and values
• Passionate about working with young people and participatory processes
• Brings a strong intersectional analysis to the work
• Brings an understanding of Trust-based philanthropy practices to the work
• Ability to cultivate trust and positive relationships
• Creative and curious; brings a sense of ingenuity and humor
• High degree of empathy, kindness, integrity, humility, and self-awareness
• Ability to connect with diverse groups of people; high degree of cultural sensitivity and flexibility
• Ability to work across global time zones
• Strength working in a fast-paced environment, under pressure and meeting deadlines
• Ability to travel (~5%) balancing time in the field for Communications site visits and other opportunities as needed

To Apply

Please submit a short cover letter, resume, and salary requirements no later than Monday, August 29, 2022. Ideally, this position will start on October 31, 2022.

Senior Program Officer - Environment, The Kresge Foundation - Troy, MI

Senior Program Officer - Environment

Apply Now

Company:The Kresge Foundation

Location:Troy, MI

Date Posted:March 4, 2015

~~The Kresge Foundation
Senior Program Officer - Environment

The Kresge Foundation, based in Metropolitan Detroit, is seeking to recruit a Senior Program Officer - Environment.  The Senior Program Officer will work as part of a dynamic team charged with implementing strategies aimed to build communities’ resilience in the face of climate change. The ideal Senior Program Officer candidate is an individual with expertise in urban climate-change adaptation and experience in community engagement and equity.

About the Foundation

The Kresge Foundation (Foundation) is a $3.6 billion private, national foundation headquartered in Metropolitan Detroit, that works to expand opportunities in America's cities through grantmaking and investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, community development, and its place-based efforts in Detroit. The Foundation’s way of working emphasizes cross-sectoral, high-engagement philanthropy that encompasses not only grantmaking and social investments, but also strategic communications and field-building activities. In 2014, the Board of Trustees approved 408 awards totaling $242.5 million; $138.1 million was paid out to grantees over the course of the year. In addition, our Social Investment Practice made commitments totaling $20.4 million in 2014.

For more general information about the Foundation, please visit its website at www.kresge.org.

About the Environment Program

The Kresge Foundation’s Environment Program seeks to help civic leaders build the resilience of their communities in the face of climate change.  For the Kresge Foundation, resilience means not just withstanding stresses but also prospering under a wide range of climate-influenced circumstances. Resilience in the long term is possible only if society reduces greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.  Kresge’s perspective is that communities should advance comprehensive and integrated approaches to build their resilience, pursuing climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation and social cohesion while elevating the inclusion and benefit of low-income and vulnerable populations in such efforts. The Kresge Foundation is particularly concerned about the disproportionate effect climate change has on people with limited economic resources. The Foundation believes it’s critical to engage people from historically underrepresented groups in efforts to build resilient communities.

Kresge supports both place-based and field-building efforts.  Within the place-based work, the Environment Program directs funding to four focal areas, which are at differing stages of buildout: climate resilience and urban opportunity, urban energy resilience, climate resilience in coastal cities and regions, and sustainable water-resources management in a changing climate. In each of these areas, the Environment Program seeks to foster locally grounded communities of practice. The Environment Program also endeavors to learn from the work of its grantees and partners and to see those lessons inform the emergent climate-resilience field nationally.

About the Position - Senior Program Officer

The Senior Program Officer will report to the Environment Program’s Managing Director and will work in close partnership with other members of the Environment Team as well as with other staff across the Kresge Foundation. A spirit of and commitment to collegiality and collaboration is an essential core value in the Kresge Foundation and within the Environment Program.

The Senior Program Officer will work as part of creative team charged with building and implementing a bold, entrepreneurial and innovative program aimed to foster communities’ resilience in the face of climate change.  The Senior Program Officer will work with national, state, municipal and county leaders to support the creation of tools and strategies that inform, equip, and empower decision makers.  Moreover, the Senior Program Officer will strengthen the capacity of place-based entities, community leaders, and anchor organizations working to improve climate resilience.  In addition, the Senior Program Officer will capture and share learning distilled from grantees and others to inform the field of practice nationally. 

The Senior Program Officer will create and provide intellectual support to networks of individuals and organizations working to improve climate resilience planning, development and implementation. The Senior Program Officer will be based in Troy, Michigan and is required to travel primarily within the U.S. approximately 25%-35% of work days.

The broad responsibilities for the Senior Program Officer are as follows:

• Shaping grantmaking and investment strategies within the Environment Program, particularly with respect to sustainable water resources management in a changing climate.

• Preparing, individually and with other team members, strategy papers, grant recommendations, other written materials, and verbal presentations for the Foundation’s management and Board of Trustees.

• Identifying, conducting due diligence on, and recommending for support, those grants and social investments that advance the Program’s strategies.

• Assessing the merit of potential grant and investment opportunities and monitoring active grants and investments through review of written materials, conversations by phone, and in-person site visits.

• Analyzing grantee reports and updates to determine progress toward expressed outcomes, and contributing to the team’s learning and evaluation efforts.

• Representing the Foundation professionally to external entities.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes

Beyond these objectives and responsibilities, the Senior Program Officer should, ideally, possess the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

Professional Qualifications:

• Demonstrated thought leadership and understanding of the causes of climate change and its effects on built, natural, and human systems. Experience in climate-change adaptation and resilience as relevant to the urban context is preferred.

• Demonstrated experience working with city, municipal, state, and national public policy leaders; the private sector; nonprofit advocates; and other community stakeholders.

• Experience working with racially and ethnically diverse and low-income communities. Experience working on environmental sustainability and social change in urban areas is preferred.

• Experience in the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to effect change and in promoting and contributing to a strong learning culture.

• Experience in project development, development of budgets and work plans, project management, and negotiation of contracts.

• Experience using non-grant forms of capital (e.g., debt, equity, and program related investments) in the nonprofit sector and/or knowledge of capital barriers in the climate-resilience field where philanthropic investment may be relevant is preferred.

• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to listen well, convey thoughts clearly, speak in public, and work effectively as a member of a team.

• Experience working in, or in close partnership with, the philanthropic sector is preferred.

• Minimum of seven years’ work experience, ten years’ preferred.

• Master’s degree in a relevant field of study is preferred. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study is required.

Personal Attributes:

• Personal creativity and strategic vision, coupled with an ability to listen to others and learn from their best ideas – a sense of inquisitiveness and intellectual curiosity.

• Strong commitment to the Foundation’s vision and its five values (i.e., stewardship, respect, creativity, partnership, and opportunity) with the ability to demonstrate those values in daily interactions.

• An entrepreneurial, creative spirit.

• A willingness to challenge conventional wisdom.

• An eagerness to embrace new ideas and perspectives.

• An interest in working as a member of a dynamic team.

• A demeanor that demonstrates both confidence and humility.

• A sense of optimism and humor.

Compensation

The Kresge Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a salary that is commensurate with experience.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should e-mail a cover letter explaining how your skills and background fit this position and a resume to Daniel Sherman, President, Explore Company at resumes@explorecompany.com. Refer to Kresge/SPOE in the subject line. No phone calls please.

The Kresge Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All correspondence will remain confidential.