Open Position - Program Officer for Grantmaking at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven

[Lee Cruz]

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the region's largest grantmaker and permanent charitable endowment, is seeking a qualified candidate for a program officer position in the Grantmaking Department. The Community Foundation’s mission is to create positive and sustainable change in Greater New Haven by increasing the amount of and enhancing the impact of community philanthropy. The deadline for applications is January 21, 2011.

Title: Program Officer for Grantmaking

Reports To: Director of Grants & Scholarships

Position Summary:
This position primarily supports several grantmaking processes. Other responsibilities include coordinating the capacity building program for nonprofits and contributing to the knowledge activities.

Core Responsibilities:
• Be part of, and support, a team of grantmaking professionals in the execution of department goals;
• Provide service to multiple Foundation audiences and communicate through various methods, including phone, email, and written communications;
• Review submitted proposals and provides written analyses for staff discussion and recommendation to the
Board of the Foundation;
• Communicate with grant applicants and grantees;
• Use state of the art technologies, including data entry into The Foundation’s relational database, FIMS;
• Collaborate with all Foundation staff members;
• Work on special projects;
• Stay informed about and follow up as necessary on grant related issues;
• Develop reports on issue areas;
• Participate in joint efforts and affinity groups of foundations and represent the Foundation professionally by responding to inquiries and attending meetings and conferences;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The Ideal Candidate will have the following qualifications:
• Strong and diverse experience in the nonprofit sector, a good understanding of how nonprofit organizations operate, and familiarity with community issues; experience in a nonprofit organization and/or as a grantseeker is preferred as is prior grantmaking experience;
• Strong analytical skills, critical thinking skills, ability to write clear, succinct, cohesive arguments under time pressure and make well-organized verbal presentations;
• The ability through analysis, questioning, informal research and site visits to understand the feasibility of submitted proposals;
• Ability to think creatively and strategically about the broad goals of The Foundation while remaining focused on the detail-oriented work and follow-through required by the position;
• Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced environment, with positive customer service expectations and with diverse populations and sense of community;
• Individual should be self-directed and a team player;
• Demonstrated ability to direct and participate in teams;
• A commitment to an inclusive environment;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Superior organizational skills and eagerness to multitask.
• Demonstrated computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel;
• Masters degree preferred; and a minimum of five years of related experience.

Please submit letters of interest, resumes and other supportive documents via email to Denise Canning, Grants Manager, at [e-mail] by Friday, January 21, 2011.