The Educational Foundation of America (EFA) is a family foundation established in 1959 by Richard P. Ettinger. Today EFA makes grants in five program areas: creative placemaking, democracy, environment, food security, and reproductive health and justice. Most of our grantmaking is in Appalachia and the South.

Sitting on program committees in each area, the Foundation’s Board members are actively engaged in the grantmaking process and work in close collaboration with the Foundation’s program staff. All program staff, including the Environment Program Officer, report to the Executive Director.

The Committee’s primary goal is to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting appropriate alternative energy options. By investing in select strategies, the Committee hopes to tip the balance so that market forces, policy reform, and advocacy can bring about positive change. While current programming is strategic and vital, the Environment Program Officer will be expected to bring new ideas and take a fresh look at the field to hone future direction and strategic initiatives. For more information about EFA’s Environment Program, please visit www.theefa.org/environment.

The Environment Committee meets monthly by video conference, and in person at EFA Board Meetings three times per year. This year the Committee will make approximately $2 million in grants. EFA is supported by a cloud-based grants management database. The EFA staff travel for site visits as well as conferences and other forums; this position requires approximately 20% travel.

Duties of the Environment Program Officer fall into three categories: grantmaking, strategy development, and engagement with the field.

GRANTMAKING

• In collaboration with the members of the Environment Committee, identify and pursue strategic opportunities that demonstrate great potential to catalyze change and have a positive impact;
• Analyze and research requests for support and conduct due diligence of those requests;
• Present a thoughtful, clearly-expressed, and well-researched docket to the Committee;
• Evaluate impact of grants and broader initiatives;
• Manage, monitor, and adhere to the Committee budget;
• Support the work of the Committee by working with the Committee Chair to develop agendas, monitor the budget, and implement special initiatives – including grantee meetings and projects;
• Be a true partner to grantees by ensuring open and helpful communication driven by a desire to support grantee success;
• Conduct and organize meaningful site visits that are equally as helpful to the potential grantee as they are to the Committee;
• Maintain clear and timely records in foundation database, shared drives, and paper files; and
• Respond to inquiries and leads for grant and partnership opportunities.

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

• In collaboration with the Committee, staff, and outside experts, develop grant-making strategies, priorities, and guidelines;
• Develop program initiatives within the Committee’s areas of funding interest as directed by the Committee’s goals;
• Forge opportunities to collaborate with other EFA committees and/or other foundations; and
• Work with the Executive Director and other EFA staff to enhance the Foundation’s own internal capacity, assessment, and reporting systems.

ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FIELD

• Represent EFA at conferences and meetings;
• Keep up-to-date on current thinking and new developments in philanthropy and environmental/climate change issues, report those to the Committee and Executive Director;
• Assist in external foundation communications such as newsletters, public presentations, and articles as appropriate; and
• Create content for and ensure the timely and up-to-date management of the Environment Committee webpages on the EFA website.

OTHER DUTIES

• Engage in other general preparation and administrative work for board meetings and special events, as well as other tasks and projects as needed/requested; and
• In addition to the core responsibilities there may be opportunities to participate in and/or lead other cross-organizational and cross-program projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA Degree required, advanced degree in environmental policy, science or sustainability preferred;
• Demonstrated commitment to the goals of EFA’s Environment Program;
• Exceptional analytical, written, and oral communication skills;
• Stellar facilitation abilities with a strong commitment to collaboration and consensus building both internally and across the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors;
• Ability to create and monitor grantmaking program budget and understand nonprofit financial reporting;
• Dexterity with program evaluation and data analysis in order to synthesize information from multiple sources into understandable and actionable concepts;
• Fluency, expertise, and complete comfort with business related software programs (including: Microsoft Office suite, Squarespace, Dropbox, etc.);
• Unwavering commitment to the goals of EFA’s grantmaking programs – particularly the Environment Program;
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to multitask and manage multiple priorities; and
• Flexible outlook with a sense of perspective and humor.

TO APPLY

Send cover letter and resume by email to Melissa Beck, Executive Director, at [email protected] with the subject line: Environment Program Officer. No phone calls please.

EFA is located on the historic Garrison’s Landing on the banks of the Hudson River in Garrison, New York. The Foundation’s office is within walking distance of the Garrison Metro-North train station and has a collegial and productive work environment in a natural setting with views of the river from all offices and common areas. EFA provides compensation commensurate with experience and skills, excellent benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance as well as free parking for all employees.

The Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.