Nathan Cummings Foundation

New York, NY

The Nathan Cummings Foundation is seeking two full-time Program Associates to join our dedicated staff and work alongside our grantmaking team who are charged with confronting the inequities in our society through our vision to create a more just, vibrant, sustainable and democratic society.  These are exciting opportunities and we welcome your application.

About The Nathan Cummings Foundation  (www.nathancummings.org)

The Nathan Cummings Foundation (NCF) is a multigenerational family foundation rooted in the Jewish tradition and committed to democratic values and social justice, including fairness, diversity, and community that seeks to build a socially and economically just society. Located in New York City, NCF is a national grantmaking organization with assets of approximately $444 million, an annual budget of about $25 million and a current staff of 20. NCF, which has given away more than $425 million in the past 25 years, has established a strong track record as a leader and innovator in the philanthropic community. 

As a family foundation, the Board of Trustees are actively engaged in the affairs of the Foundation. The Foundation has established an internal culture that combines professionalism and effectiveness with informality, mutual respect, and support. The Foundation is a place where people of diverse religions, races, ages, genders, sexual orientation and backgrounds collaborate. It encourages individual growth and has created an open and humane work environment.

About The Position

The Program Associate (PA) will be part of a team of professionals for the Foundation’s grantmaking and will hold a variety of responsibilities related to the research, analysis, and coordination that support the overall administrative and operations of the programmatic activities.  This is an exciting role.  As the successful candidate, you will be working with amazing people inside and outside the Foundation, and being a people person is definitely a prerequisite as well as having strong writing and communication skills.  You will also know how to prioritize your work, your time and then re-prioritize, for completion of the project, engagement with your team, and for your role as a leader. This will tap into your ability to process requests with a firm respectful decisiveness. There will be lots of administrative details to keep track of, but the Foundation’s technology will be your partner in managing these with precision.   At NCF, we believe that when something looks like it can’t be done there is always a way, and it usually involves reaching out to our clever innovative co-workers.

Reporting to the Vice President-Grantmaking and the Program Director, the Program Associate serves as a strong conduit for shared learning within the team and across programmatic teams.  The Program Associate will also work closely with the Program Officer and the Director of Communications and will have interactions with other departments in support of the Foundation grantmaking.

Outline - Principal Responsibilities

• Work internally and externally to provide guidance on program priorities for potential grant applicants and assist grantees and partners, as needed
• Perform preliminary analysis of proposals, including but not limited to financial statements
• Ensure grant files are complete; enter all related information, attach documents and update records as necessary
• Conduct regular communications with grantees about proposals and grantmaking decisions
• Prepare (Generate) grantee notifications, letters of agreement, payment letters, modification letters and generate reports, maintains database
• Help program team track the grantmaking budget, prepare budget reports and ensure grantmaking budget is reconciled and up-to-date
• Undertake independent research projects in program area(s) 
• Review and proofread dockets, reports, and other program materials  
• Support program integration through responsibilities that include grants monitoring, grantee reporting, closeout of grants, and grantee gatherings and special events
• Assist the program team with the preparation of relevant materials for presentations, reports, reviews, and evaluations
• Write summary papers and reports, as necessary
• Participate in professional conferences and meetings on behalf of the NCF’s Program Team
• Coordinate, convene, and/or attend meetings related to program interests
• Support scheduling, travel, and expense report submissions for the program team
• Perform other duties or work on special projects as assigned

Qualifications

• Advanced communication skills, both written and verbal fluency.  
• Capable of communicating effectively with grantees, board, staff and program partners 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with diverse groups.  
• Team player committed to collaboration and the success of the organization and our partners 
• Proficient at working independently on multiple projects
• Skilled at managing competing priorities
• Ability to work across diverse program areas 
• Ability to take initiative 
• Excellent knowledge and application of computer and technology information skills and ability to apply these efficiently
• Proficiency in use of the internet, email, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and grants management software 

Education, Experience, and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Minimum three years of administrative and/or program support experience
• Demonstrated interest in the Foundation mission and values.   
• Excellent Database and computer skills

Salary:   Commensurate with experience

Benefits:  Excellent benefits including retirement plan, foundation-paid medical and dental insurance coverage, vacation & holidays, and staff development funds and tuition reimbursement.

The Application Process:

The Nathan Cummings Foundation is firmly committed to affirmative action and diversity and invites applications from candidates regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.  

To apply:  Interested candidates, please send:

• A letter stating interest and qualifications for the position;
• A resume with salary history;
• A 2-3 page writing sample;
• Names of three references (at least two professional); and
• Other information that might be useful in evaluating your candidacy for this position. 

Please submit application materials via email:  [email protected]

NOTE:  Send attachments as Microsoft Word or Adobe pdf format only.

• Please do not call or mail applications. 
• All electronic applications will be acknowledged.
• All information is confidential.  

Deadline for applications:

October 31, 2016, or until successful candidates are identified.