The Organization
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.
Position Overview
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), a leading philanthropic institution helping communities create the conditions children need to thrive, is seeking nominations and applications for the position of Program Officer on its Michigan team to strengthen the foundation’s work in Health Equity. In recent years, the foundation has sharpened its focus on improving conditions for vulnerable children, concentrating on three key factors of success and their intersections: education and learning; food, health and well-being; and family economic security. The foundation has made a generational commitment to grantmaking in the region that advances the vision of a future in which every child thrives. The Michigan team partners closely with community stakeholders and policy makers to create a network of organizations working together to advance Michigan’s economic stability, racial equity, and community and civic engagement, while increasing access to quality education, healthy food, and medical care for children and families in need.
Working in partnership across the three team offices for Michigan Programs led by its new Director Faye Nelson and in collaboration with WKKF national staff, the Program Officer will provide leadership and oversight for on-the-ground execution of program efforts that nurture opportunities for achieving positive systemic change for better education, health, and economic outcomes for children and their families throughout the state of Michigan. The Michigan team works in offices in Battle Creek, Detroit, and Grand Rapids and is a critical place-based team at the foundation. Particular areas of interest related to WKKF priorities as the Michigan Programs team grows include public health and health equity. The Program Officer will screen and recommend grants for funding, conduct site visits, manage and monitor a portfolio of grant programs aligned with the WKKF strategic framework, and collaborate within the Michigan Programs team and across the foundation to share learnings from both the place-based work and national work to inform grantmaking strategies at all levels. The Program Officer will maintain strong, authentic relationships with grant seekers and grantees and act as a spokesperson for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, effectively communicating the foundation’s goal of partnering with communities to improve the well-being of children and their families.
The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of and experience with Michigan’s diverse communities and will know how to foster collaboration and support for positive change among and with Michigan’s most vulnerable children and families. S/he will bring specific knowledge in working in and partnering with the various systems that foster the success of communities and impact access to quality healthcare. S/he will possess a thorough knowledge of systems change and will be a holistic and interdisciplinary thinker with significant mastery of the broad social, economic, and place-based forces affecting the social determinants of health among communities and families in Michigan. S/he will have a demonstrated ability to oversee development and implementation of programs that target disparities and possess the skills to facilitate authentic, productive dialogue within diverse communities and settings. S/he will possess a strong team orientation, a high tolerance for ambiguity, the ability to adapt quickly to change, and a record of success in working effectively with persons from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds. The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree and substantial work and leadership experience in a relevant field.
How To Apply
The search is being led by Katherine Jacobs and Melinda Hull of the national search firm NPAG. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), and where you learned of the position should be sent to: WKKF-POMIHE@nonprofitprofessionals.com. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.