Program Manager, Catalyze Fund

We’re seeking an exceptional Program Manager to support the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Catalyze Fund, Pillars’ signature grantmaking program for Muslim-led community organizations. The Program Manager is responsible for managing the pre-award grant cycle, building relationships with current grantee partners to design and implement support for them, and contributing to the expansion of the team’s understanding of the field and key issue areas. This is an opportunity to work directly with visionary Muslim civic leaders and to gain unique insights into the nonprofit and philanthropic landscape.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Grantmaking

• Manage the Call for Ideas, Pillars’ annual grant review process for new applicants and renewal process for current grantee partners.
• Provide support to plan and execute annual trustee and allocation meetings.
• Draft, proofread, and edit grant recommendation materials, including written reports, presentations, and spoken remarks for Pillars staff, board, and trustees.
• Make recommendations to Program Director and Senior Leadership about portfolio composition in alignment with Pillars’ strategic goals.
• Apply existing evaluation practices to assess individual ideas, organizations, and applicant pools against broader field needs and trends.
• Manage post-award assessments, check-ins and site visits with current grantee partners to better understand needs and provide appropriate capacity support.
• Prioritize relationship building with new applicants and current grantees and oversee communication, information sessions, and site visits toward this end.

Programming and Communications

• Manage programming designed to support grantee partners, including funder briefings, grantee convenings, donor engagement, and virtual events.
• Support Program Director in the implementation of capacity and leadership support for grantee partners.
• Coordinate closely with Communication, Digital, and Creative team to design and implement communications strategy to uplift grantee perspectives, highlight Catalyze Fund objectives, and educate audiences about core funding areas.

Strategy, Learning, and Leadership

• Collaborate with Program Director to assess and refine processes to measure and improve grantmaking and programmatic support.
• Seek opportunities to learn and develop expertise on Catalyze Fund priorities as they relate to systems change, mental health and wellness, civic power, access, and opportunity.
• Serve as a resource and connector for Pillars staff, grantee partners, board, trustees, and other stakeholders.

IDEAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE PROGRAM MANAGER

• Embodiment of Pillars’ values and commitment to amplifying the leadership and voices of Muslims in the United States
• Deep familiarity with Muslim communities in the United States and the issues that impact us across multiple identities and willingness to continue learning
• Three to five years of formal or informal experience in grantmaking, nonprofit management, or community leadership with experience developing and implementing strategies and programs with a social justice lens
• Enthusiasm for relationship building with organization leaders, staff, and stakeholders
• Excellent time management and project management skills, including an ability to demonstrate judgment and discretion when flexibility is required, manage concurrent workstreams, and work independently
• Exceptional writing and editing skills and ability to clearly synthesize concepts for multiple audiences
• Comfort with public speaking and ability to engage diverse virtual and in-person audiences
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to demonstrate discretion, compassion, cultural competency, optimism, and joy to effectively relate to and work with diverse partners and stakeholders
• Ability and willingness to travel (about 25% if based in Chicago; more if remote), including some out-of-state travel and attendance at events on nights and weekends