A renowned entrepreneur and co-founder of The Home Depot, Arthur M. Blank is now recognized for his values-based Blank Family of Businesses (BFOB) and as one of America’s leading philanthropists through the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. All his industry-leading businesses, including the foundation, operate on six core values: Put People First, Listen and Respond, Include Everyone, Innovate Continuously, Lead by Example and Give Back to Others.
After over 25 years and over $1 billion in giving, the foundation has committed to significantly escalating the impact of its philanthropy over the next 10+ years. This milestone coincides with deeper participation among the next generation of Blank family members on the board and in advisory capacities, partnering around their shared core beliefs, including the Jewish value of tikkun olam (“heal and repair the world”) and seeking a fuller realization of American ideals.
The foundation works across several different programmatic areas, including Atlanta’s Westside, Democracy, Environment, Mental Health and Well-Being, and Youth Development. The foundation also manages a large portfolio of founder-led initiatives, supporting the causes, institutions and relationships our founder holds dear. Geographically, much of the foundation’s work prioritizes Georgia and Montana while also considering the potential for greater national impact and influence. To complement and amplify the impact of these giving areas, the foundation has three central functions whose teams partner with programmatic colleagues. These functions include Communications, Finance and Grants Management and Effective Philanthropy.
Position Overview
About the Founder Initiatives work and team:
The foundation oversees a large portfolio of Founder Initiatives projects, programs, and grants. These efforts include due diligence, execution, and evaluation of Arthur Blank’s discretionary and legacy grants, Montana associate-led giving, West Creek Ranch, Base Camp and Challenge Course programming in Montana, and sponsorships. The Founder Initiatives team is based in both Atlanta and Montana.
The intention and aspiration of the Founder Initiatives work is to build on Arthur Blank’s standing commitment to Georgia and Montana organizations and communities to ensure that resources are invested so that people can thrive and live a fulfilled life. This is an exciting moment to be part of the Founder Initiatives team, given the growth in foundation grantmaking. Consistent with the values and interests of Arthur M. Blank, the Senior Program Officer will report to the Managing Director of Founder Initiatives and will be a key member of the team focused on developing grants and overseeing projects that align with our founder’s interests and passions.
Senior Program Officer, Founder Initiatives Key Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Officer, Founder Initiatives will work closely with the Managing Director and will execute responsibilities in three primary areas: grantmaking, portfolio management and operations; research, monitoring and results tracking; and communications and external relations:
Grantmaking, portfolio management and operations:
Work in tandem with the Managing Director, and Deputy Director, Founder Initiatives to develop and design founder grants that give expression to the interests of Arthur M. Blank. Serve as a lead partner contact, providing ongoing monitoring and results tracking for the portfolio of Founder Initiatives grantees, through the full lifecycle of the grant from inception to completion. Draft memos, grant analysis and recommendations (GARs), and summary reports. Manage a portfolio of existing Founder Initiative grants, be a resource and thought partner for our nonprofit partners and identify potential new investment opportunities. Support the development of monthly Founder Initiatives update meeting materials Understand and monitor grant budgets and ensure compliance with foundation practices and protocols, including appropriate programmatic and financial due diligence. Develop and leverage relationships with internal finance and grants management team to create responsible fiscal and grantmaking practices for founder grants. Collaborate with foundation colleagues and other program staff across the organization to ensure broad understanding of founder priorities and grants. Develop relationships across the Blank Family of Businesses (BFOB) to ensure strong knowledge, connections, and alignment where appropriate with foundation priorities.
Research, Monitoring and Results Tracking:
Conduct research and remain abreast of current news and philanthropic strategies related to grant making opportunities of interest. Collaborate with the Foundation’s Effective Philanthropy team on programs and grants to review evidence and data, ensure alignment with purpose and work with Managing Director and Deputy Director to share summary of progress with Founder. Work with the Effective Philanthropy team to develop new grantmaking opportunity areas, and develop and refine measurement to track results of grants as appropriate.
Communications and External Relations:
Collaborate with the Communications team to share portfolio and grantee progress and relevant trends in grantee impact. Work with Communications team as appropriate on storytelling to amplify Founder Initiatives grants for greater impact. Build internal and external relationships with a variety of stakeholders including colleagues, nonprofit grantees, other funders, and community leaders and residents. Represent the foundation in external meetings and conferences and liaising with other philanthropies and government agencies. Spearhead learning from the fields we work in and bridge connections to other family foundations and leaders in philanthropy.
Candidate profile:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following ability, skills, and attributes:
Support and promote a growing culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Lead with curiosity and an inquisitive spirit, and commitment to continuous learning.
Lead with a commitment to excellence Demonstrate a passion for philanthropy and supporting individuals, organizations, and communities to thrive.
Demonstrate nimbleness to adapt to a dynamic team and workplace, as well as agility to respond to an entrepreneurial founder with varying interests and passions.
Possess a balance of intellectual and emotional intelligence. Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and work collaboratively with stakeholders.
Be adept at multi-tasking, prioritizing, and balancing changing priorities with minimal direction.
Possess excellent communication in writing and verbal skills.
Demonstrate proficient research and analytical skills.
Demonstrate the ability to work independently balanced with the ability to work on a team.
Possess excellent organizational, planning and time-management skills.
Welcome feedback and be committed to learning and growing.
Demonstrate a record of building bridges across sectors to strengthen and scale innovation.
Model leadership for colleagues across the foundation’s program staff with positive energy and a can-do attitude.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or equivalent experience is a plus.
5+ years of experience and expertise in philanthropy and/or nonprofit leadership, with an understanding of grantmaking best practices and knowledge of the philanthropic landscape/sector.
Preference for candidates with direct experience in family philanthropy and/or experience working with high-net-worth individuals.
Project management skills and experience a plus.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint.
Experience with CyberGrants a plus.
Keenly discreet and respectful when handling private and confidential matters.
