Elgin, IL

The Organization

Grand Victoria Foundation, with offices in Chicago and Elgin, is a private foundation awarding upwards of $7M in grants and other support each year. We invest our resources to support change in communities, regions and the state. The Foundation uses its grants and its leadership to support systemic change with an emphasis on early childhood care and education, employment, and land and water conservation. We focus on four key elements that create the right conditions for change: high-functioning systems, strong public policies, engaged communities, and effective organizations. As a foundation we seek to be inclusive, collaborative, and flexible. We believe that the best work is based on strong relationships and open sharing of ideas with our grantees and partners.

Position Summary

Grand Victoria Foundation seeks a dynamic Program Officer to manage relationships and support and carry out the Foundation’s Elgin-based grant making. Our work in Elgin is two-fold. We support organizations that provide high-quality, coordinated services to meet the basic needs of residents. We also support efforts to improve functioning of the area’s systems for early childhood care and education, employment, and land and water conservation. The Program Officer is charged with building and nurturing relationships with and among the Foundation’s Elgin-based grantees and other important stakeholders to achieve our objectives.

The ideal candidate is an energetic self-starter who thrives on connecting ideas and people and develops and leverages networks that support community change. The candidate is excellent at gathering and analyzing information that advances the work of the Foundation and its grantees.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Elgin Grantworks portfolio (approximately 50% of the time)
• Meet with potential grantees, evaluate applications, conduct site visits, assess organizational health and development, seek confidential assessments, review grantee reports and evaluate grantee progress and potential
• Prepare written and oral funding recommendations
• Create and monitor grant program budgets
• Research, monitor, and demonstrate an understanding of the civic and cultural concerns of the Elgin community
• Represent Grand Victoria Foundation at grantee, community, and civic activities
• Create, manage, and steward relationships (approximately 50% of the time)
• Convene, lead, and attend meetings, workshops, and conversations that:
• Build and nurture relationships with grantees, funders, organizations, and community leaders to develop collaborative approaches to address systemic challenges
• Identify opportunities to address community issues and challenges through Grand Victoria Foundation’s grant making
• Build internal and external relationships that identify and leverage resources for grantees and the community
• Work collaboratively with Grand Victoria Foundation staff, sharing knowledge of issues, policies, lessons learned, and models of collaborations
• Represent the Foundation in the broader philanthropic community as appropriate
• Prepare materials as required for analysis by Foundation staff and Board members
• Work with the Director of Elgin Programs on special projects or other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required. Graduate degree preferred
• Minimum seven years work experience in the nonprofit sector or philanthropy required Nonprofit management experience or a background in public policy helpful
• An understanding of the work of both grant seekers and grant makers especially useful
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent copyediting, proofreading, and creative writing skills
• Strong analytical skills and ability to conceive and implement new ideas
• Ability to work in a small team environment
• Experience organizing teams, leading meetings and workshops, developing and implementing programs
• Must be PC proficient. Must have strong experience with databases (Micro Edge Gifts preferred), Excel spreadsheet layouts and Word
• Valid driver’s license needed. Local travel required

Work Environment

• Work environment includes free parking and easy access to Metra station
• Position requires frequent and regular computer and phone use and employee is regularly required to use hands and talk and hear. Position requires occasional ability to lift 40 pounds. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, balance, stoop, and reach with arms.
• Occasional evening work required

Compensation

Salary is $60,000-$70,000, based on qualifications. The benefits package includes health, dental, and life insurance. A 401K plan is available with employer-paid matching contribution, generous paid vacation and holidays, and professional development resources.