Scholarship & Program Officer

The Scholarship & Program Officer will join the Community Engagement team and will serve as a community builder with expertise in grantmaking and scholarships. We seek someone with experience working in the nonprofit sector and/or higher education, who is skilled at both program management and relationship-building. This person will foster relationships with donor partners, nonprofit and student applicants, our network of donors and philanthropic organizations, and serves in a bridge role connecting donor and community engagement.

More specifically, the Scholarship & Program Officer’s work will involve managing grant and scholarship application processes, reviewing applications, performing due diligence work, managing current awards, evaluating grant results, guiding a diverse portfolio of grantee partners, and facilitating Advisory Committee(s) in making grant and scholarship recommendations to The Foundation’s Board of Directors. They will manage scholarships as well as a set of grant portfolios including Education & Youth and Send a Kid to Camp. These portfolios may change or evolve over time.

Key Responsibilities

Grants and Scholarships Program Administration

• In collaboration with Community Engagement Team members, manage discretionary grant and scholarship processes that achieve program goals and are responsive to stakeholder priorities, nonprofit ecosystem trends, and shared organizational values.
• Utilize online grants/scholarship management system and database to implement grantmaking and award processes across the lifecycle, from application to disbursement to reporting.
• Recruit Advisory Committees to review applications and facilitate decision-making meetings with Committees and inform program changes, including the Student Recipient Advisory Committee.
• Implement mechanisms for tracking output and outcome data from grantees and students, as aligned with internal and external reporting requirements and develop reports to share impact data and stories.
• Supervise Intern who will support scholarship application review and processing.
• Provide stewardship to a portfolio of 25-35 Triangle-based nonprofit organizations and support opportunities for scholarship recipient engagement with one another and/or donors as applicable
• Collaborate with Triangle Community Foundation’s internal Marketing and Communications Department to create communications to tell the story of impact of nonprofit grantees and student recipients.

Support Triangle Community Foundation’s Strategic Directions

• Serve as an active member of the Community Engagement Team, participating in team-wide activities, including weekly team meetings, nonprofit engagement events, and supporting team members on special projects or initiatives as applicable.
• Serve as an active member of the Triangle Community Foundation Team, participating in regular staff meetings, cross-function team meetings, and other staff-wide activities
• Represent the Foundation at external events, meetings, or advisory groups as they align with work plan priorities, areas of expertise, and Foundation needs.

Professional Development and Self-Care

• In collaboration with supervisor and team, identify and participate in opportunities to grow professionally, such as workshops, conferences, learning communities, etc.
• Integrate plans to use available paid time off (PTO) for rest, relaxation, and/or to attend to outside of work responsibilities and commitments.

Qualifications:

• Technological Requirements:
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office suite of products
  • Experience with databases and/or project management applications
• Other Requirements:
  • Commitment to the Foundation's goals, values, and mission.
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience working in the nonprofit sector.
  • Experience with scholarships programs and/or higher education.
  • Knowledge of local nonprofits in the Triangle (Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake counties).
  • Strong organizational skills to balance multiple projects and deadlines, including the flexibility to adjust activities and priorities and take on new responsibilities.
  • Direct experience and comfort in working with a range of individuals, from high wealth donors to high school students.
  • College or advanced degree.
  • Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, exercising professionalism and customer service mentality.
  • Ability and willingness to work closely with other colleagues as a team; promotes relationship building that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse team members.
  • Willing to work flexibly within a hybrid work environment and to adjust activities and priorities to take on new responsibilities. In-office collaboration occurs in an open work environment comprised of workstations and huddle rooms.