Program Assistant

The Program Assistant supports SV2’s collaborative grantmaking program and Beyond-the-Dollars support for our Grantees. This position advances meaningful and equitable social impact through robust community engagement, including regular evening and weekend events, and ensures SV2’s learning, work, and aspirations are grounded in community leadership, insights, and collaboration.

ABOUT SV2

Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund (commonly known as SV2) is a nonprofit community of values-aligned donors deeply committed to equity-centered social impact through collaborative grantmaking, impact investing, and immersive learning. SV2 pursues its mission through an engaged giving model with three core lines of work:

• Grantmaking: We take a trust-based philanthropy approach, supporting mission-driven nonprofits in the Bay Area with unrestricted multi-year grants and Beyond-the-Dollars support.
• Impact Investing: We make equity and debt investments in early-stage companies with social or environmental impact at the core of their business model. We are especially focused on allocating capital to founders from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Immersive Learning: We offer immersive learning trips in California and the U.S. South, learning workshops on topics like nonprofit financial review, board service, and values-aligned investing, and peer cohorts focused on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Five key tenets serve as guiding principles for SV2’s strategies. These tenets represent the values and purpose that SV2 seeks to infuse in our work:

• We will foster a community of continuous learners with Partners, Grantees, Investees, and community members.
• We will broaden the voices involved in our work as we seek to break down the traditional power dynamics in philanthropy.
• We will be leaders in practices that align giving and investing with personal values.
• We will work with our network of change makers to drive impact in our Bay Area community.
• Equity is a central through line in our work.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Program Assistant reports directly to the Chief Program & Advancement Officer and works closely with the entire SV2 team. This role is responsible for supporting SV2’s Grantmaking and Beyond-the-Dollars work, including relationships with Grantees and Donor Partners as they engage with Grantees. The role also supports some of SV2’s Immersive Learning programming, aspects of SV2’s impact measurement, and other duties and responsibilities as assigned. Specific responsibilities, under the direction of the Chief Program & Advancement Officer, include:

Beyond-the-Dollars (40%):

• Serve as highly-responsive point of contact for SV2’s Grantees; proactively champion their work to Donor Partners and within the greater community
• Attend volunteer opportunities and community events hosted by Grantees
• Support Donor Partner Champions who serve as liaisons for all current Grantees
• Recruit Donor Partners to attend Grantee events, volunteer opportunities, and advising sessions
• Coordinate annual grant reporting process and grant payments, working with Donor Partner Champions and the Board Program Committee
• Coordinate with SV2 colleagues to produce and distribute Grantee-oriented communications

Grantmaking (35%):

• Coordinate internal processes for the successful completion of two Grant Rounds per year
• Provide proactive support to Donor Partners in grantmaking through effective communications, research, diligence, group facilitation, and grant decisions
• Work collaboratively with two Donor Partner Leaders for each Grant Round
• Interface with the nonprofit community and key stakeholders through transparent communication of the open nomination process and results

Immersive Learning (15%):

• Support SV2’s learning sessions and events, including Grantee panels
• Coordinate the annual Grantee reporting event with the Board Program Committee
• Coordinate logistics for SV2’s immersive learning trips

Impact Measurement (10%):

• Track and record Donor Partner event attendance and leadership engagement
• Coordinate and analyze pre- and post-programming surveys with event leads
• Design and disseminate the annual SV2 Grantee Survey, analyze the results, and share with stakeholders
• Design and disseminate the annual SV2 All Partner Survey, analyze the results, and share with stakeholders

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all qualifications, responsibilities, duties, skills, and physical demands required of this position. The precise duties and responsibilities of the job may change over time.

QUALIFICATIONS & IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

We welcome applications from candidates with a mix of professional and lived experience. The ideal candidate brings 1–3 years of professional experience and has developed many of the following skills and capacities:

Commitment & Values

• Passion for social change and a strong commitment to equity
• Ability to build trusting, respectful relationships with Grantees, Donor Partners, community members, and the staff team
• Warm, clear, and effective communication skills across diverse audiences
• Service orientation and growth mindset

Program & Project Management

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and logistics simultaneously
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and contribute as part of a collaborative, mission-driven team
• Experience in the nonprofit, philanthropic, or social impact sectors
• Experience coordinating events, workshops, or learning sessions
• Ability to support immersive learning experiences and cross-team programming

Grantee & Donor Partner Engagement

• Experience working with community-based organizations, nonprofit partners, or skilled volunteers
• Ability to engage a variety of stakeholders and coordinate follow-through
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for participating in community events, volunteer opportunities, and Grantee gatherings, including evenings and weekends

Impact Measurement & Data Skills

• Comfort designing and administering surveys and summarizing findings
• Strong records and information management skills
• Ability to keep program data organized, accessible, and useful

Adaptability & Collaboration

• Eager for mentorship from highly experienced professionals
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and evolving environment
• Entrepreneurial, solutions-oriented mindset with a can-do attitude
• Proactive communicator who is comfortable asking for assistance when appropriate
• Tech-savvy and adaptable; proficient with Google Workspace and quick to learn new tools

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

SALARY, BENEFITS, and WORK ENVIRONMENT

The annual starting salary for the Program Assistant is $63,000 to $68,000. This full-time position meets the exemption requirements as defined by state and federal law. Hours are generally regular business hours, with regular evening and weekend commitments. SV2’s benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403b retirement plan with employer match and direct contribution, funds for professional development, thirteen paid holidays, and five weeks of paid time off per year.

Hybrid Work Environment:

SV2 is committed to the safety of our staff and to facilitating connection and community with one another. All members of our team are based in the Bay Area, with some meetings and events in our Redwood City office or in other locations, and some days as fully remote workdays. Please note that in a constantly changing environment, SV2 team members will need to maintain flexibility.

Vaccine Policy:

SV2 is committed to providing our staff with a safe work environment and helping to promote the health of our community. As such, SV2 will require all employees to confidentially show proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, unless they are unable to receive the vaccine because of a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief or practice. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII, and applicable state laws, SV2 is prepared to make reasonable accommodations for employees who (1) cannot take the vaccine due to a medical disability or (2) seek an exemption from the vaccine based on sincerely held religious beliefs.

SV2’s benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403b retirement plan with employer match and direct contribution, funds for professional development, thirteen paid holidays, and five weeks of paid time off per year.