Oakland, CA 

COMMON COUNSEL FOUNDATION

TITLE:                       Program Officer

REPORTS TO:           CEO

STATUS:                    Permanent at (80%) FTE

Common Counsel Foundation is seeking a Program Officer who will be responsible for managing a diverse range of grant programs, advising family foundations and donor advised funds, and coordinating collaborative grants initiatives. The position also plays a key role in identifying trends, strategic opportunities and emerging approaches to advancing social change and educating donors in this regard. 

This position is responsible for grants portfolios that disburse funds nationally and across a range of issue sectors that may include Indigenous rights, immigration, economic justice and worker rights, racial justice, gender justice, education equity, housing rights and environmental justice, to groups that are rooted in the core strategies of grassroots organizing and movement building.

Join our staff of values-aligned team members in our downtown Oakland office, located between City Center and 19th Street BART stations. Common Counsel staff enjoy a four-day, 32-hour workweek.

Now coming to the close of its 28th year of operations, Common Counsel Foundation has a long history of prioritizing support for community-based organizations led by and for low- income people or people of color to advance equity and environmental sustainability. More information is available at www.commoncounsel.org. 

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Comprehensive grant program management and administration
2. Analyze and track trends, opportunities and challenges for progressive social change issue sectors throughout the U.S.
3. Review proposals submitted for funding
4. Maintain strong and respectful relationships with funding applicants, grantees and trustees
5. Manage the research, due diligence, and production of funding dockets for a variety of family foundations, including making strategic and effective grant recommendations
6. Detailed tracking and management of grants, with timely attention to all internal tracking systems
7. Work with CEO to produce fundraising proposals and reports for re-granting initiatives
8. Manage grant and reporting calendars, including maintaining databases and files
9. Represent Common Counsel in a professional manner at foundation trustee and affinity group meetings
10. Share knowledge and analysis within the philanthropic sector
11. Support fundraising efforts for CCF programs and operations
12. Scout and help develop appropriate partnerships for CCF
13. Be knowledgeable about different types of philanthropic vehicles and associated IRS regulations
14. Provide thought leadership and analysis in internal meetings
15. Make presentations to the CCF Board

Qualifications

Required:

• §§   Strong knowledge of community organizing and experience working with and/or supporting community-based social justice organizations
• §§   Strong program management skills
• §§   Excellent writing and editing abilities
• §§   Engaging public presentation facility
• §§   Experience with research and analysis
• §§   Minimum of 2 years of experience as a foundations program officer, nonprofit fundraiser, or program leader in progressive social change organizations.
• §§   Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience
• §§   Passion for racial, social, environmental and economic justice
• §§   Ability to juggle multiple clients, projects and deadlines
• §§   Team player; excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a variety of clients and staff graciously and with a sense of humor
• §§   Proficiency with computer systems and databases

Preferred:

• §§   Tech skills including experience with database systems
• §§   Familiarity with social change foundations and donors, as well as grassroots fundraising strategies
• §§   Knowledge of the rules and regulations governing donor vehicles, including public charities, private foundations, donor advised funds, fiscal sponsorships and supporting organizations
• §§   Fluency in a language other than English is a plus

Compensation/Benefits:

• Salary commensurate with experience
• Generous paid time off benefits
• Health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits
• Four-day (32 hour) workweek, with some flexibility in scheduling for both parties.

Occasional evening and weekend attendance at meetings is required

TO APPLY:

Email a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements with subject line “PO Application” to [email protected] 

No phone calls, please. Due to the high volume of applications, only those selected for further discussion will be contacted.

Common Counsel Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the fact or perception of age, race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, ancestry, national origin (including language use restrictions), domestic partner or marital status, religious creed (including religious dress or grooming practices), medical condition (including genetic characteristics, genetic information and cancer) military or veteran status, family care status, sex (which includes sexual harassment, gender harassment and harassment based on, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), mental or physical disability, including HIV and AIDS, or any other basis protected by federal or state law or local ordinance.