Democracy Fund is a foundation working to defend American democracy and challenge it to be more open and just. Created by eBay founder and philanthropist Pierre Omidyar, Democracy Fund has made more than $200 million in grants to support free and fair elections, a vibrant and diverse public square, effective and accountable government, and a just and inclusive society. In addition to grantmaking, Democracy Fund advocates for better solutions and works with partners to grow philanthropic support for our democracy. To learn more, visit www.democracyfund.org and www.democracyfundvoice.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Democracy Fund champions leaders and organizations who defend democracy and challenge our political system to be more open and just. We believe that experimentation, learning, and adaptation are key to the health and resilience of any system, whether it is our organization or the American political system. As grantmakers, we focus on listening and being of service to our grantees, who are visionaries and our collaborators, and on ways we can more deeply embed diversity, equity, and inclusion as values central to the success of our work and mission.

Voting is the single most significant way Americans exercise their political power. The Elections & Voting program works to ensure that all Americans, especially those who have been historically underrepresented at the polls, have the opportunity to fully participate in the democratic process and freely vote for the candidates and issues that represent their communities.

The Associate Director, Special Projects, will help lead and strengthen the Elections & Voting program’s work to create a more equitable and accessible election system and empower communities to defend voting rights when they are threatened. The associate director will also help coordinate with Democracy Fund’s other programs, with other foundations, and with leaders and organizations in the elections field.

This role will report to the Senior Program Director, Elections & Voting, and will help manage a growing team of staff, with a particular focus on strengthening our grantmaking processes, internal communications, and team operations. The associate director will also manage a growing portfolio of special projects, including helping to build better donor education around election-related priorities to increase the amount of money dedicated to the elections ecosystem and our grantees. The successful candidate will be a systems thinker and builder who can drive impact while cultivating the internal organization needed to achieve our goals. We are looking for a connector with a demonstrated track record of managing people and creating opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration. This role will work with the senior program director and Associate Director, Programs, to improve team operations, support learning and team growth, and contribute to shaping Democracy Fund’s strategy and position in the field. This role also supports the work of Democracy Fund Voice, a 501c(4) social welfare organization. 

COMPENSATION

Salary range begins at $155,160 per year.

HOW TO APPLY

Click here for more information or to apply. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to our Jobs page. Applications submitted without a cover letter or lacking the desired years of experience will not be considered. Take this opportunity to tell us about yourself and why you’re interested in joining our team. No calls please.

Democracy Fund is committed to a diverse workplace, seeking voices and expertise from people from across the political spectrum. Our board, staff, advisors, and grantees include Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Democracy Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer, where we encourage candidates of all ages, color, ethnic background, country of origin, religion, disability status, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity to apply.