The California Community Foundation (CCF) is a public, charitable organization serving Los Angeles County in multiple capacities since 1915.  We encourage philanthropy by individuals, families, companies and organizations, and serve as a trusted steward of their charitable funds and legacies.  We make grants and collaborate with nonprofits in specific areas, and concentrate attention and resources on the needs of the most vulnerable individuals and groups in the community.  CCF convenes and engages nonprofit, private and public sector partners to increase philanthropy and incorporate philanthropists into community problem solving in Los Angeles.

CCF is a dynamic environment that values individuals who want a purpose more than a position.  We have a diverse and talented team of experienced and passionate advocates for our community.  We are a learning organization driven by the idea that continuous improvement furthers professional development and increases our ability to effect positive change.  We seek individuals who thrive in a fast-paced setting highly focused on results and impact.

CCF is hiring a Program Associate. This position works closely with program officers and staff to enable the foundation to carry out its programs in an accessible, fair, and thoughtful manner.  The position is responsible for project and research support, grant proposal analysis, outreach, grant monitoring and management and community relations.  As part of CCF’s strategic plan, staff work in collaborative, integrated teams across portfolios in order to address systemic issues in vulnerable, low income communities.  The program associate supports the Immigration and Health programs.

Major Responsibilities:

• Grant Proposal Analysis: Under the direction of the program officers, assists with review of applications for funding support through written analysis, site visits, knowledge of the field, interviews with other funders and comparisons with other funding requests. 
• Grant Process Management: Reviews Letters of Inquiry and provides feedback for program officers.  Generates and manages correspondence—decline letters, invitations to submit proposals, report reminders, etc. Monitors and reports regularly on proposals and the grant process including grant agreements, progress reports, payment requests, and other related correspondence.  Updates and maintains databases. Works closely with the Grants Management Team to apply due diligence standards, develop new reports and improve processes. Communicates and meets with grantees as needed. 
• Community Relations:  Represents CCF in philanthropic activities to further build community foundation relationships and enhance their operations. Represents CCF in foundation and community groups related to grantmaking interest areas. Participates in donor events and outreach activities as requested.
• Outreach and Convening: Under the direction of department management and program officers, works directly with grantseekers to provide clarification of community foundation priorities, direction regarding application procedures, and feedback on proposals.  Seeks opportunities to inform nonprofit organizations of opportunities to partner with the foundation. Organizes meetings of grantees and related stakeholders, managing outreach, registration, logistics and content development under the direction of program officers, to ensure successful and productive meetings that advance the strategic goals of the programs. Assists program officers in leading meetings, including note-taking and facilitation, and will sometimes independently lead meetings as appropriate. Will also organize, record minutes and keep required records for supporting organizations under direction of program officers. 
• Project and Research Support: Researches and analyzes trends and issues of importance to CCF from written materials, interviews, community meetings, online resources, or other useful sources.  Presents findings in written and oral formats to program officers and others as appropriate. Assists with special projects for CCF, ensuring a thoughtful and reasonable process, timely preparation and coordination of key activities and materials for partners, review panels, advisory committees, and CCF’s Board of Directors.  Maintains accurate database of initiative partners and records (i.e., minutes, meeting materials, invoices, vendor contracts etc.), coordinates special project timelines and handles meeting/events logistics.

• Internal Integration of Work: Identifies opportunities for and integrates the functions and skills of civic engagement, grantmaking services, sustainability, marketing and communications and development and donor relations into their grantmaking to increase focus on systemic change.  Engages with internal and external resources to secure necessary competencies. 

• General: As appropriate, assists other departments and works as a member of interdepartmental teams to ensure the effective and efficient operations of CCF.  At all times, demonstrates cooperative behavior with supervisors and coworkers.  Other duties as assigned, dependent on organizational needs and employee skills.  

Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function assigned satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Experience:  Minimum of three years’ work or volunteer experience working with or in a nonprofit agency required. Experience in research, writing and data management preferred.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required.  Master’s degree in a related field or comparable work experience is preferred.
• Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.  Ability to prepare and deliver presentations both internally and externally, and to comfortably interact with diverse audiences as well as nonprofit and community groups. Proofreading and editing skills, plus Spanish proficiency, a plus.
• Technology Skills:  Internet competency and strong computer proficiency, including mastery of the Microsoft Office software suite and a familiarity with database software, is required. Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge, Financial Edge and grantmaking software preferred. 
• Project Management Skills: Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.  Ability to prioritize work effectively and adjust to multiple demands within set deadlines.
• Team Work & General Skills:  Ability to work well independently and as team member.  Ability to take initiative, and follow tasks through to completion.

Working Conditions:

• Requires the ability to sit and work at a desk for several hours at a time.
• Requires the ability to travel and attend meetings, presentations and events outside the office, which may require occasional use of a motor vehicle for transportation to other locations.  Due to the nature of external appointments and/or responsibilities requiring travel to locations not easily accessible by public transportation, driving is an essential job responsibility for this position. 
• Work may require occasional weekends and/or extended work day.
• Punctuality and satisfactory attendance are essential functions of the job.

Compensation:

This is a regular, full-time, exempt position.  Salary is dependent on experience and qualifications. A generous benefit package is provided to all full-time staff, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, parking or transportation, and retirement benefits.

How to Apply:

To apply to this position, please visit our website at www.calfund.org and select “Careers” or go to http://www.recruitingcenter.net/clients/calfund/publicjobs 

CCF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees, and we make employment decisions without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, gender expression, age or any other protected status. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable federal, state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.