The Organization
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a leading philanthropic force helping communities create the conditions children need to thrive and the nation’s fifth largest foundation, is seeking nominations and applications for Program Officer in the area of Racial Equity and Community Engagement. 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.
Given that a disproportionate number of vulnerable children in our society are children of color, as a consequence of both the legacy of this nation’s history of racial oppression and the structural racism that continues to permeate systems and institutions, both racial healing work and the dismantling of structural racism at the local-level are key ingredients in any effort to, as the foundation’s mission statement reads, “propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society.” Thus, the foundation has made a commitment to being an effective anti-racist organization, actively pursuing racial equity through healing efforts and the eradication of structural racism as an explicit approach of its programming. Moreover, the foundation recognizes that sustainable racial equity work replies upon the wisdom and leadership that exists in all local communities. This role leverages the natural relationship between Racial Equity and Community Engagement to intensify this commitment.
Position Overview
The new Program Officer will identify and nurture opportunities to support locally-driven racial healing efforts and positive systems change through programming that is aligned with the foundation’s vision, mission, and legacy of community engagement. S/he will lead and oversee on-the-ground execution of program efforts in the areas of Racial Equity and Civic and Community Engagement, including: screening and recommending grants for funding; preparing funding documents; conducting site visits; managing and monitoring a grant portfolio; and providing high-level technical assistance to grantees, including consultation on model development, partnership negotiations, leadership capacity building, and coaching. The Program Officer will interface internally with all the programming teams while also developing and maintaining strategic external partnerships with colleague foundations, businesses, governmental agencies, and other key decision-makers to further the foundation’s mission to bring sustainable improvement to communities.
The ideal candidate will be a holistic and interdisciplinary thinker firmly committed to the foundation’s mission and will have a current understanding of broad social and economic forces affecting communities and families, demonstrated ability to develop and implement impactful programs, and success facilitating authentic, productive dialogue within diverse communities and settings. S/he will be able to translate concept into action, stimulating direction for the program that capitalizes upon emerging opportunities. S/he will be distinguished in a field of practice relevant to addressing community engagement, racial healing, narrative change and equity issues and will possess a strong team orientation, a tolerance for ambiguity, the ability to adapt quickly to change, and the skill to work effectively with persons from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
For a detailed position description, please visit: http://nonprofitprofessionals.com/job/wkkf-rece/ More information about the W.K. Kellogg Foundation may be found at http://www.wkkf.org.
The search is being assisted by Allison Kupfer Poteet, Callie Carroll and Erica Nicole Griffin of Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group. 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), salary history and where you learned of the position should be sent to: WKKF-RECE@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.