Program Associate, Intervention Fund

Partners for Sacred Places seeks candidates for the full-time Program Associate, Intervention Fund position. The Program Associate will work in close collaboration with the Intervention Fund Director to operate the Intervention Fund program and provide technical assistance to grantees.

The Intervention Fund is an emergency grant program within the National Fund for Sacred Places. The Intervention Fund supports congregations with urgent repair needs resulting from an emergency, enabling them to safely resume serving their communities. The Intervention Fund provides grants of up to $100,000, with no cash match required. Applications are invitation-only and processed on a rolling basis.

The National Fund for Sacred Places, a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is a grantmaking program that provides capital grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000+ and wraparound support services to congregations undertaking significant capital projects. This program, supported by the Lilly Endowment, has served over 150 congregations to date and is funded through 2028.

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to inquiries from congregations with questions about the program.
• Work with the Intervention Fund Director to identify applicants; invite applications; review applications; and coordinate these activities with the larger National Fund for Sacred Places.
• Review applicants’ projects, including construction documents and specifications, bids, etc., to ensure that the projects we are funding meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
• Provide guidance and technical support to congregations throughout the application process and after congregations are admitted to the program.
• Use grant management and project tracking software - including Foundant and Monday.com - to manage the application process (Foundant) and to track the grantees (Monday.com).
• Work with the Intervention Fund Director to expand technical assistance options for congregations, including written resources, webinars, and one-on-one support.

Skills

• Ability to work independently and in a variety of small and large group contexts.
• Comfortable working with folks from various sectors, including religious leaders and congregational staff (preferably across a range of denominations and faith traditions), architects, preservationists, etc.
• Ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to manage a variety of tasks and provide support to multiple congregations.
• Confidence facilitating small group meetings and one-on-one conversations.
• Self-motivated and responsive to meet the demands of a program that operates on a rolling basis.
• Sensitive to working with community members who have experienced an emergency.

Requirements

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Historic Preservation, Architecture, Divinity, Nonprofit Management, Urban Planning, Emergency Management, or a related field.
• At least three (3) years' work experience.
• Experience working in a small- to mid-sized nonprofit organization or similar setting.
• Experience working with congregations or faith communities, or an appreciation of historic religious buildings and community-serving congregations.
• Reside in, or willingness to move to, Philadelphia.
• Willing and able to travel domestically and to work weekends and evenings to deliver Fund-related services on occasion.
• Fluency in Google Workspace and Adobe Creative Cloud; Willingness to learn how to use Foundant and Monday.com.

100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees

403(b) retirement plan with a 3% employer contribution

Generous paid time off (PTO)

Flexible and hybrid work environment (role-dependent)

Professional development opportunities and support for continued learning

Meaningful, mission-driven work supporting communities and historic sacred places nationwide

Pre-tax benefits (FSA/HSA through Ameriflex)

Commuter benefits