Program Officer

Job Description

Foundation Background: Incorporated in 1948, The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of residents in the Washington metropolitan area. The Foundation has three grant cycles annually, awarding on average $18 to $22 million to qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organizations in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Community Service, Education, Environment and Health.

Position Title: Program Officer

Purpose: To respond to and collaborate with community stakeholders in our program areas to carry out the mission of the Cafritz Foundation.

Responsibilities:

Grantmaking and Relationship Management

• Review and assess grant proposals through internal review process during specified grant deadlines.
• Conduct site visits with grantees and potential grantees to assess program relevance, organizational integrity, and potential for impact. Must be able to review and understand financial statements and synthesize goals that impact the community in a way that promotes equitable grant making.
• Write, present, and justify funding recommendations to the Foundation’s board.
• Manage ongoing relationships with grantees, and prospective grantees, and provide insights into funding processes.
• Perform other appropriate duties as assigned by Management.

Programmatic Knowledge

• Develop in-depth knowledge of assigned program areas, including current issues and trends and key resource individuals and organizations.
• Build and advise on flexible funding strategies that respond to the local community and reflect an ongoing understanding of the larger social context.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to local nonprofit organizations to help support the development and capacity of community leaders and provide capacity building and partnership opportunities with current and potential grantees.
• Initiate meetings or reports to respond to current and emerging needs in cooperation with nonprofit organizations, foundation collaborative groups, government agencies and others that foster shared problem solving and accomplish special projects.
• Participate in joint efforts and affinity groups of foundations and represent the Foundation on funding collaboratives and working groups, at meetings and conferences.
• Stay well-informed of relevant community issues and local trends and brief other program staff and Board Chair on a weekly basis.

Qualifications

The Program Officer will have the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in the DC area local nonprofit field.
• Knowledge of the region, including current issues, trends, and organizations.
• Ability to work independently, to manage competing priorities and to work effectively under pressure.
• Strong proficiency in communicating effectively in conversation, writing and public speaking.
• Good judgment, discretion, tact, and the ability to collaborate easily with colleagues, Board members and others in the charitable government and business sectors.
• Commitment to professionalism including the ability to build genuine, productive, trusting relationships with a diverse array of partners and grantees.
• Strong expertise in the use of Microsoft Office products and grants database software.

This position description is intended to serve as a summary of the general purpose and essential functions of this position. It may change as circumstances warrant and may include other duties as deemed necessary by management.

Location:

The Foundation operates under a hybrid model. The Program Officer must have the ability to come to The Foundation’s office three times a week and travel around the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

Compensation:

Salary is in the $90,000 – $110,000 range, based on experience. Excellent benefits include: medical HMO, POS, PPO (85% employer paid for HMO coverage), dental and vision coverage (85% employer paid); 10% employer contribution to employee retirement plan (1st qtr following 6 months of employment); life insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurances (100% employer paid), 3 weeks vacation,12 days sick leave, paid parking or transit assistance.

To Apply:

Interested and qualified candidates should apply by sending a cover letter, including salary requirement, and resume by email to hr@cafritzfoundation.org, Attn: Ms. Mary Mulcahy, Co-Executive Director. For best consideration, apply by September 30, 2024.

The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive organization.