Brooklyn Community Foundation is the first and only foundation solely dedicated to New York City’s largest borough. We are on a mission to spark lasting social change, mobilizing people, capital, and expertise for a fair and just Brooklyn.  Since its founding in 2009, the Foundation has provided over $33M in grants.  The key staff-driven grantmaking portfolios are Invest in Youth and Immigrant Rights Fund, and the major initiative is Restorative Justice.  The constituent-driven programs include Youth Fellows, Reproductive Justice Activists, Neighborhood Strength Model and the Spark Prize. The Foundation does all of its work with a racial justice lens and is specifically committed to centering the voices of the community in its grantmaking and advocacy work.  Please see brooklyncommunityfoundation.org and brooklyninsights.org for more information on our mission, vision and ways of working.

Position Overview

The Program Officer is responsible for managing the staff-driven grantmaking portfolios, supporting the community-driven programs, and maintaining the integrity of the grant information. The successful candidate will possess excellent communication and analytical skills, a clear commitment to racial justice, in-depth knowledge of the Brooklyn nonprofit sector, a learning orientation and humility, and will be a team player capable of putting the common good first. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Grantmaking

• Manage the grantmaking process, including preparing Requests for Proposals, proposal review, site visits, grant recommendations, monitoring grantee progress and outcomes
• Prepare written overview and analysis documents for the Program Committee and/or Racial Justice Council that summarize issues and decisions for their consideration
• Conduct field scan research, roundtable meetings, interviews to inform the strategy
• Identify strategic opportunities to advance Foundation’s key areas of focus, connecting to larger issues of racial and economic justice that reflect the political environment
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to share information and key learnings and inform communication and advocacy efforts

Grant operations

• Maintenance the accuracy and integrity of the grants database and file systems
• Work closely with the COO to facilitate the grant check request process

Programs

• Partner with the VP of Programs to support project consultants
• Partner with the VP of Programs to support the Foundation’s discrete initiatives
• Help organize workshops, develop agenda, identify speakers, and manage logistics
• Serve on the Capacity Building Collaborative and connect grantees to trainings
• Represent the Foundation at citywide, borough-wide and local meetings

Foundation supports

• Provide information to Communications to increase the visibility of the grantees
• Support Development in fundraising efforts, providing information and attending events
• Participate as active member in Foundation-wide activities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5-10 years of experience in philanthropy, nonprofit or public policy, grantmaking experience preferred
• Commitment to the Foundation’s vision and values: specifically a passion for racial and social justice, with a commitment to youth leadership a plus
• Direct work experience and strong familiarity with organizations that fit the foundation’s funding priorities; especially with community organizing and advocacy in Brooklyn
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills: especially the ability to listen well, establish and maintain authentic and professional relationships, and exercise effective and inclusive leadership in cross-cultural and multi-cultural settings
• Excellent analytical and communication skills: using sound judgment, able to quickly gather, synthesize and summarize information in a clear and jargon-free manner in written and oral communications. Bilingualism or multilingualism is a plus.
• Strong presentation skills: comfortable making presentations to public audiences and skilled in both group and one-on-one meeting facilitation
• Strong planning, administrative, and organizational skills: ability to manage multiple tasks and timetables while maintaining focus, meet deadlines, and work independently with minimal support
• Intellectual curiosity and learning orientation: commitment to continuously learning and growing, remaining humble and ego-free in the work, striving to minimize power dynamics
• Flexible and versatile: ability to perform gracefully in all situations and thrive in an environment of flux, ability to anticipate obstacles and creatively offer solutions, serve as a team player with a sense of humor
• Resident of Brooklyn preferred, or strong ties to the borough
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Salesforce

Additional Information

This is a full-time position located in Brooklyn, NY that occasionally requires early morning, evening, and weekend work.  There is the need to travel within NYC via public transportation for site visits with grantees. Salary is $60,000-$75,000. The Foundation offers an excellent benefits package, which includes generous paid time off, employer-paid health and dental insurance, and a relaxed, friendly work environment.

Brooklyn Community Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In alignment with its Racial Justice Lens, the Foundation is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and lifting up the leadership of people from communities historically underrepresented in philanthropy. Additionally, the Foundation does not base any hiring decisions on an applicant’s history of involvement in the criminal justice system.

Email cover letter and résumé to [email protected] (no reference letters or phone calls please!) and list “Program Officer” in the subject line.  Interviews will begin end of January.