The Program Officer supports the Foundations grantmaking and special projects. This position will work with a wide range of organizations and special projects, including the youth and education area. The Foundations needs will drive the evolution of focus areas overtime. As a result, candidates with broad and mutli/interdisciplinary backgrounds will be competitive for this role. The Program Officer will join a talented and passionate Program Department working across numerous grantmaking areas.
Responsibilities
Grantmaking
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of current youth and education issues and key networks, public and private revenue streams, and a clear understanding of how assigned areas fit the foundations program priorities and needs of the region.
- Review grant applications in assigned areas and conduct peer review of applications assigned to Foundation staff. Prepare formal written reviews of grant applications in Foundation format.
- Meet with and field calls from organizations seeking grants.
- Conduct and lead site visits to organizations seeking grants and grantee organizations.
- Monitor grant performance, review grant reports, and ensure grantee compliance with grant agreements. Serve as the primary contact for negotiating and resolving issues for grantees.
- Assist with the activities of various supporting organizations of the Community Foundation as needed, including grantmaking activities listed above and helping to prepare materials and presentations for meetings as needed.
Special Projects Management & Fundraising
- Collaborate with other staff, consultants, and the Foundations trustees to determine program priorities.
- Work with staff on major projects and related processes in support of the Foundations program activities, including a leadership role in the Foundations Youth Advisory Committee.
- Build collaborative relationships with colleagues in the field (both locally and nationally), volunteers, and community members.
- In partnership with Foundation colleagues, develop funding requests and assist in securing financial support for special projects when needed.
Outreach/Communication:
- Participate in joint efforts, networking opportunities and provision of non-grant support to Foundation grantees.
- Represent the Foundation professionally by responding to inquiries and attending meetings and conferences.
- Increase the Community Foundations visibility, contributing to its positive image and furthering its reputation through developing and maintaining relationships with community leaders, charitable giving partners and nonprofit organizations.
- Participate in collaborative efforts involving other funders and community groups addressing issues of importance to the Foundation and broader community.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required
- Master's degree and/or more than 5 years of relevant work experience preferred
- Knowledge of and experience in youth and education-related programs and activities
- Detail oriented, with excellent written and verbal skills
- Ability to think creatively, critically, and analytically
- Inquisitive personality in a collaborative environment
- Ability to handle confidential information in a professional manner, requiring sound judgment and discretion
- Self-starter with the ability to handle multiple projects while meeting tight and frequent deadlines
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with persons from diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds and communities
- Working knowledge of standard office equipment and computer software applications including Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point and other software required
- Ability to respond sensitively and patiently to internal and external inquiries in a timely manner and the ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidences
- Experience with foundations and grantmaking preferred
- Knowledge of the seven-county region of southeast Michigan preferred
Benefits:
- The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan offers a robust benefits package including 20 days of vacation accrued monthly, 5 personal days, 13 holidays, 9 sick days accrued monthly, paid parental leave, hybrid work model, and employer paid short/long-term disability.
- The Community Foundation also offers a pension retirement program after 1 year of service which contributes 10% of salary.
This position requires the ability to work in a hybrid environment, with an average of three in-office workdays per week.
Compensation details: 68800-86000 Yearly Salary
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