Program Assistant

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Job Posting: Program Assistant

Location: Sheffield, MA (hybrid)

About Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF)

Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) has strengthened communities through philanthropy and leadership. We channel generosity where it is needed most, bringing together resources and passion to tackle our region’s most pressing issues and create lasting change. BTCF serves over 60 communities across Berkshire County (MA), northwest Litchfield County (CT), and Columbia and northeast Dutchess Counties (NY), awarding more than $15 million annually in grants and scholarships.

With a mission of building stronger, more equitable communities, BTCF seeks to center equity in our roles as grant maker, community partner, philanthropic advisor, and employer. We are committed to creating a best-in-class workplace that fosters employee satisfaction, support, and growth.

Learn more about our work (www.berkshiretaconic.org)

JOB SUMMARY:

Position Overview

BTCF seeks a detail-oriented and mission-driven Program Assistant to support the administration of grants and scholarships, maintain database and project systems, and assist with volunteer committee coordination. This role provides critical administrative and operational support to the Program Department, contributes to internal process improvements, and engages with community members, applicants, and volunteers in alignment with BTCF's values of equity, inclusion, and service.

The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a positive, team-oriented attitude. They will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple deadlines, and providing excellent service to grantees and stakeholders. This position will report directly to the Program Director, with day-to-day oversight and guidance from the Grants and Scholarships Operations Manager.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS - To include but not limited to:

Grants & Scholarship Processing

• Process weekly grant and scholarship transactions
• Manage profile maintenance, fund documentation, and reporting
• Edit and prepare fundholder correspondence and requests
• Support maintenance of Foundant's GLM and SLM systems

Database & Reporting

• Create and maintain database records per BTCF standards
• Generate grant and non-grant reports to support internal and external communication

Volunteer Committee Support

• Assist the Community Engagement Officer for Education in managing the Educational Enrichment Fund (EEF) and Scholarship Committee processes
• Serve as the point of contact for EEF and scholarship committees
• Prepare applications, schedule and support meetings, distribute materials, and welcome in-person participants

Administrative & Program Support

• Support the Program Director in project administration as needed
• Provide administrative support to program team members as needed

Process Improvement & Collaboration

• Participate in ongoing efforts to review and enhance operational procedures

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent experience
• Background in nonprofit, philanthropic, or educational settings preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience with CRM and grant management systems (e.g., Foundant, Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge) and project management tools (e.g., Asana) preferred

Skills and Attributes

• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines effectively
• Strong interpersonal and customer service orientation
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusive practices

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Ability to sit or stand at a workstation for extended periods
• Proficient use of a computer monitors and keyboard
• Onsite work required with optional hybrid schedule (3 days onsite) after training
• Reasonable accommodations available for qualified individuals

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This position is full-time, non-exempt, hourly with a starting range of $25-$27/hour, commensurate with experience.

We offer competitive benefits, including:

• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid vacation and sick time
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• A hybrid work schedule and paid lunch break
• Professional development opportunities

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit the following application materials at the link on our website: Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation | Careers

• A resume highlighting relevant skills, education, and professional experience, and
• A response to the following two questions (Please keep your response between 150-300 words per question):
  • Briefly describe your experience managing competing priorities and deadlines. How do you ensure sound decision-making under pressure?
  • Describe a time when you worked with others to advance equity or inclusion in your workplace or community. What was your contribution, and what did you learn from the experience?
• A cover letter is optional

Application review begins August 25 and will continue until the position is filled.

BTCF is an equal employment opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.