09.12.24

Job Opening: Program Officer

Job Opening
Program Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Fayette Community Foundation is excited to share we are seeking applicants for the role of Program Officer. Please read the expectations, required competencies and skills, and how to apply below. We look forward to receiving your application!

Location: Connersville, IN
Time Commitment/Status: Full-time Non-Exempt; Office hours of 8:30a-4:00p M-F; occasional evenings and weekends may be required
Salary Range: $43,000-$48,000/yr

About the Fayette Community Foundation: The Fayette Community Foundation’s mission is to inspire a spirit of philanthropy and leadership in Fayette County to enhance the quality of life. We connect donors and nonprofit agencies to improve the quality of life in our community. We help strengthen nonprofit agencies to better respond to community needs with financial support and capacity-building programs by providing grants from our unrestricted endowment and discretionary funds as well as from donor-advised funds. The Foundation is uniquely qualified to steward the hopes and dreams of the people that care deeply about an organization or cause by carrying out donors’ philanthropic visions after they are gone.

Job Description Summary

The Program Officer is a valued member of the Fayette Community Foundation and supports our work by serving as the primary staff person for the designated grantmaking programs and community development initiatives of the Foundation. This position is the primary liaison between the Foundation and its constituents regarding scholarships, grantmaking, and nonprofit/community development.

A successful candidate will be both people- and process-oriented, able to serve as a positive Foundation contact with the public as well as develop and follow detailed procedures. The candidate will observe a high level of confidentiality and respect for others when dealing with sensitive and private personal and financial information. A candidate who is motivated by innovation and comfortable with change is ideal.

Key Responsibilities:

Grants and Scholarship Management:

  • Oversee, direct, and periodically review the general scholarship program for the Foundation, including using innovative methods to market the scholarship program, improve accessibility and serve potential and existing recipients.
  • Manage the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the Foundation, serving as the primary liaison to the Foundation’s Lilly Community Scholarship Committee and Independent Colleges of Indiana.
  • Assist the Grants Committee in the granting process. Schedule and coordinate Grant Committee meetings and keep accurate minutes of the meetings. Monitor grantee reporting and maintain grant records.
  • Responsible for delivery of grant checks and taking photos of recipients and/or the programs.
  • Oversee and manage events related to the grant and scholarship programs.
  • Serve as primary liaison to the 3rd party application scoring company and donor advisors assisting in the scoring of scholarship applications.
  • Input and maintain information related to scholarships and grants in computerized information management system.
  • Work with marketing to update and maintain grant and scholarship information on the website and other marketing, social media, and communication efforts.
  • Work with grant seekers to clarify Foundation priorities, assist with application procedures, and provide feedback on proposals.
  • Assist nonprofit organizations in increasing their knowledge of endowment fundraising and the Community Foundation.
  • Attend monthly board meetings of the Foundation and appropriate committee meetings.

Community Engagement:

  • Maintain healthy relationships with local and regional non-profits and attend related meetings and events.
  • Plan and execute quarterly nonprofit leadership meetups, providing information about the Foundation to possible grantees and collecting information about nonprofit partner needs and struggles.
  • Identify educational, developmental, and capacity-building opportunities for the Foundation to provide for nonprofits based on their feedback.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director, maintaining positive and cooperative work relationships within the office and with all associated with the Foundation.
  • Adhere to the Ethical and Operational Standards for Indiana Community Foundations.

Core Values:

  • Integrity – Shares complete and accurate information, maintains confidentiality and meets own commitments, adheres to organizational and regulatory policies and procedures.
  • Professionalism – Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits and understand the impact of behavior and communication on the professional image of the Foundation.
  • Respect for Persons – Affirm and reinforce mutual respect, responsibility, and caring; seek to be helpful, trustworthy, and considerate of others on the team. Appreciate and leverage the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals, so that they can work effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability, background, and motivation.
  • Confidentiality – Handle employee and public data and inquiries with sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.

Required Competencies:

  • Attention to Detail – Diligently attend to details and pursue quality in accomplishing tasks.
  • Organization – Define tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to achieve those objectives.
  • Computer and Technology Proficiency – Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Intermediate to Advanced skills in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), email and calendaring systems, and electronic document management systems (Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, etc).
  • Communication – Communicate effectively, establish and maintain working professional relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and demonstrate respect for varied perspectives and experiences.
  • Interpersonal Skills – Notice, interpret, and anticipate others’ concerns and feelings, and to communicate this awareness empathetically to others. Listen attentively to people’s ideas and concerns and understand the interests and concerns of others.
  • Critical Thinking and Decision Making – Take initiative, work independently as needed, and solve problems.
  • Data Management and Reporting Skills – Accurately input data into database and identify, collect, and organize data for analysis and decision-making.

Qualifications:

Knowledge:

  • Minimum: High School diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree preferred
  • Knowledge of basic financial and investment principles as related to charitable endowment and nonprofit organizations preferred
  • Three years successful work experience in the nonprofit, education, or related field preferred
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, especially Word and Excel including experience preparing mail merge documents

Skills and attributes:

  • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Ability to work with diverse groups of people
  • Ability to effectively work independently and as a team member
  • Professional demeanor and appearance
  • Interest in improving the quality of life in Fayette County

Even if you don’t feel you meet every single requirement on this posting, we still encourage you to apply. We’re eager to meet motivated people who align with the Fayette Community Foundation’s mission and can contribute to the future success of Fayette County, Indiana.

Benefits:

  • Flexible, professional office environment
  • 3% employer retirement contribution after waiting period
  • Earned Time Off
  • Sick days
  • Optional Dental, Vision, and Health Insurance

How to Apply:

Please submit PDF’s of both of the following:

  • Resume
  • Brief Cover letter explaining:
    • Your interest in the position
    • Why you would be a good fit for the role
    • Why you would like to join the Fayette Community Foundation team
  • List of 2 Professional References (include name, title, phone number, and email address)

Email all documents in PDF format to aroszell@givetofcf.com.

Applications are due by Friday, September 27th and will be reviewed as they are received.

The Fayette Community Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.