Program Associate

Employer: Community Foundation of New Jersey

Reports to: Fund Manager of the New Jersey Food Fund (formerly known as Food Security Access Fund)

Job title: Program Associate

Type: Full-time, Remote (with occasional in-person events & site visits)

Salary: $75,000 - $90,000

Location: Open to candidates in the tri-state area

About the Fund

In 2024, nine philanthropic partners and New Jersey’s Office of the Food Security Advocate united to launch the New Jersey Food Fund at the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ). Now backed by 11 funders, this first-of-its-kind public-private partnership strengthens the state’s food security system by awarding cash grants to organizations pursuing timely innovations and collaborations, and in-kind grants of “Grant Navigator” placements to assist grantees in the development of new fundraising streams and systems.

Role Overview

The Program Associate will provide critical support across strategy development, grantmaking, fundraising, and operations. This role is ideal for a highly organized, detail-oriented individual who can manage multiple priorities, communicate effectively, and contribute to a collaborative and mission-driven small team.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the development of program strategy through research, material and framework creation, and note-taking. Participate in team meetings and respond to one-off requests from funding partners, grantees, and applicants.
• Maintain fundraising trackers, draft donor correspondence, support grant writing & reporting, and track follow-up actions from meetings and site visits.
• Draft monthly updates and other communications for the Fund’s Advisory Board (AB) and Executive Committee (EC). Schedule and prepare materials for virtual and in-person AB & EC meetings.
• Support the Fund Manager and funders in making grantmaking decisions by preparing grant dockets and presentations, engaging funders in the review and selection process, and managing related communications.
• Coordinate grantee communications and surveys, organize grantee materials, and manage filing systems.
• Work closely with CFNJ colleagues to prepare and execute grant agreements and consultant contracts.
• Schedule check-ins with stakeholders (grantees, Grant Navigators, funders, and others), draft agendas, take notes, and support follow-up actions.
• Review grantee reports and contribute to Fund annual reports by synthesizing information, creating outlines, gathering quotes, and drafting content.
• Maintain budget and task trackers, support internal calls, and assist in identifying and implementing tools and processes that improve the Fund’s effectiveness. Provide general administrative and event support as needed.
• Orchestrate and participate in occasional site visits to grantees or prospective grantee organizations, and in-person meetings, conferences, or events across New Jersey or, on rare occasions, in neighboring regions.
• Work with colleagues to execute another CFNJ-managed food and housing security grant portfolio in collaboration with the Fund’s philanthropic partners (15% or less of overall workload).

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5-7 years experience in philanthropy, nonprofit management, or related fields.
• Proven track record in project management, operations, grantmaking, and/or funder relations. Working knowledge of the New Jersey food security ecosystem is a plus.
• Exceptional task management, communication skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders with a high degree of professionalism and independence.
• Aptitude for and interest in analyzing data and trends.
• Experience preparing key deliverables and planning events.
• Commitment to the Fund’s values of curiosity, collaboration, equity, and impact.
• Lifelong learner; ability to adapt to changing circumstances in New Jersey’s food security landscape.