Foundation for Louisiana (FFL) is a social justice philanthropic intermediary founded in 2005 as the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation to invest in the immediate recovery of Louisiana’s communities after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While FFL was established in the wake of these disasters, our founders recognized the need to address the longstanding inequities that contributed to their disparate impacts and have shaped life outcomes for the most marginalized of Louisianans for centuries. Our programs grew in response to these needs, and today FFL focuses on racial justice, climate justice, criminal justice reform, economic justice, gender justice, and support for Louisiana's vibrant arts and culture. 

All Foundation for Louisiana employees are currently working remotely.  While the Program Associate can be based anywhere in the state, the position may require travel to the Baton Rouge and New Orleans offices when conditions allow.  Currently, office space is available in both Baton Rouge and New Orleans; however, pandemic conditions are monitored closely, and FFL observes all municipal, parish, and state guidelines as well as Center for Disease Control recommendations to prioritize the health and safety of our staff, partners, and the communities we serve.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Program Associate provides administrative, logistical, grant management, and other support to the Foundation for Louisiana programs team.  While subject to change, the position currently reports to the Vice President of Programs.  This position may be based anywhere in the state of Louisiana.  

The Program Associate serves as the internal program team lead for ensuring FFL’s grantmaking processes are implemented with excellence, including tracking, and managing key dates and timelines related to grantmaking.

WHO ARE YOU?

You have two years of professional experience in a community-based or nonprofit setting.  Equivalent volunteer experience will be considered.  You have reviewed grant agreements and supported an organization in meeting grant deliverables.  Regardless of where you are coming from you have a basic knowledge of budgets and financial documents.  You are comfortable working in complex, frequently shifting contexts and approach your work in a deeply values-centered way.  You are able to take and give meaningful feedback, to challenge and be challenged in ways that are generative and productive, and approach your work with a deep commitment

to learning and reflective practice.  Ideally, you love Louisiana and are concerned about the most pressing issues facing this state. 

You’ll fit right in if you love to: 

• Work towards shared goals with multiple stakeholders and partners
• Use technology to perform multiple tasks and meet critical deadlines while maintaining accuracy and quality 
• Use FFL’s core values (community wisdom, courage, integrity, and commitment) to serve Louisiana’s communities of color and low-income communities with an intersectional analysis of racism, specifically anti-Black racism

Want to know what it’s like to work at our office? Don’t worry, we’ll involve multiple internal stakeholders in the interview process. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The following list of duties and responsibilities is representative and may be subject to evolution and change over time.  FFL is committed to an inclusive workplace for all staff, including those with a disability, and is open to discussing disability-related accommodations to essential job functions for qualified applicants. 

Grants Management and Partner Support (50%)

• Ensure adherence to internal grantmaking processes via appropriate documentation, grant budgeting, and reporting
• Provide data management and impact assessment: monitor submission/completion of grant partner reports/progress checks in conjunction with program officers; make initial assessments of reports and provide to program manager(s) for further review; ensure timely and accurate archiving of all grant-related materials and document in keeping with FFL’s retention policy 
• Participate in site visits as needed and provide summaries for program directors and/or the vice president of programs as needed 
• Document emails, visits, meetings, and calls with grant partners. ensuring the vice president/program directors are kept informed about partner progress, especially highlighting any areas of concern
• Learn and understand the foundation’s strategies to inform work with grant partners; participate in strategy refinement and evaluation, learning, and meaning-making learning as needed

Organizational Partnering & Initiatives (15%)

• Attend community meetings and other events to build and foster new relationships statewide as needed
• Compile research and best practices relevant to the Foundation’s mission and various initiatives as directed
• Occasionally represent the Foundation at conferences and meetings; stay abreast of the philanthropic field and the Foundation’s program areas through conferences and other professional activities

Team Coordination & Administration (30%) 

• Schedule appointments with internal and external parties; manage meeting logistics, including site selection, securing catering, and other vendor services; set-up and clean-up
• Attend functions to oversee activities, intervening as necessary to ensure meetings/events run smoothly
• Maintain a centralized grants and contracts database; track and process invoices for consultants, vendors, and meeting expenses, ensuring adherence to contracts
• Work with the Program Officers to ensure the maintenance and archiving of accurate grants records, including application materials, contracts, reports, correspondence, and deliverables
• Screen incoming calls and general email inquiries; prioritize and determine the appropriate disposition of calls emails, using professional judgment to resolve inquiries as necessary

Other (5%)

• Assist the Vice President with prospect research of potential funding opportunities and/or special projects as needed
• Pursue ongoing professional development opportunities and participate in Foundation-wide training sessions and workgroups
• Contribute to a transparent and equitable organizational culture where ethical and equity policies and practices are understood and lived out by all staff. 
• Provide support cross-functionally as needed to advance the work of development, communications, and finance 

YOU’RE GOOD AT: 

• Centering diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of your work 
• Time management 
• Multi-tasking 
• Prioritizing work
• Project management
• Problem solving
• Being organized
• Communicating (verbally and in writing)
• Working with diverse groups
• Paying attention to detail

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU:

• Are familiar with Salesforce, Submittable, online project management applications, and cloud data storage systems 
• Speak Spanish, Vietnamese, and/or American Sign Language 

COMPENSATION

$55,000-$65,000

HOW TO APPLY

Click here for more information or to apply. Please send your resume along with a cover letter to Jamie Schmill, Vice President of Programs, Foundation for Louisiana, via email: [email protected].  Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Review of applications will begin on June 28, 2022, and continue until the position is filled.

We encourage applications from people with disabilities and are available to discuss reasonable accommodations for any applicant who may need them.   To inquire about accommodations, please email [email protected] or call FFL at (504) 457-8035.  Please refrain from making phone calls for any reason other than to request application accommodations.