About the Organization

A national leader in rural philanthropy, The Ford Family Foundation is a private foundation benefiting communities in rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. In 1957, Kenneth W. Ford & Hallie E. Ford established a then-modest foundation to give back to the timber communities of southwest Oregon. It grew in size, scope, and geography to become The Ford Family Foundation in 1996, with its main office in Roseburg, Oregon, and its scholarship office in Eugene, Oregon. One of the three largest grantmaking foundations in Oregon, The Ford Family Foundation has assets of $850M and distributes $43M annually with a staff of 40 and a seven-member board of directors.

The Opportunity

In 2015, The Ford Family Foundation embarked on a new program to support rural economic vitality that has three main components.  The first is to provide grants and other supports to communities that define a plan of action for rural community economic development with a priority on increasing employment opportunities through local business retention and expansion.  Working closely with the Ford Institute for Community Building, the Foundation supports communities that wish to energize a local economic development agenda. The second, working with the Foundation’s Post-Secondary Success Team, is to provide grants and other supports to organizations that develop the workforce skills needed by companies that employ rural workers. Third, there is a growing program to support child and family asset and wealth building strategies, such as increasing the use of the Earned Income Tax Credit, Individual Development Accounts and Child Savings Accounts.  Finally, the program aims to increase the ability of statewide systems to support rural economic development.

The Program Officer will assist in developing and implementing a strategic grantmaking area focused on economic development in rural communities. The successful candidate will serve as a thought partner to the Senior Program Officer as they build, refine and execute strategy and work plans. This Program Officer will also work alongside and in partnership with other program officers to promote all aspects of the Foundation’s mission of successful citizens and vital rural communities.  

Learn more about the Foundation, ideal candidate profile, and qualifications in the full position profile here.

To Be Considered

A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred.  The candidate should have at least 5 years of experience in community economic development. Candidates will be considered from diverse backgrounds that might include foundations, nonprofits or public-sector agencies.

The position is based in Roseburg, Oregon and residency in Douglas County is required. Approximately 40% of time will involve travel within Oregon and Siskiyou County, California.

The Ford Family Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. A carefully crafted cover letter that articulates your interest in the position and fit for the role addressed to Sarah Meyer, along with a current resume, should be submitted for consideration through Waldron’s candidate web portal.