Troy, MI

The Organization

The Kresge Foundation is a $3 billion private, national foundation that works to improve the life circumstances of vulnerable people living in cities through grantmaking and investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development efforts in Detroit and nationally.  In 2013, the Board of Trustees approved 316 awards totaling $122 million.  In addition, our Social Investment Practice made commitments totaling $16 million in 2013.  The Kresge Foundation is located in the metropolitan Detroit community of Troy, Michigan.  For more information, visit kresge.org.

Position Overview

The Detroit and Community Development Program Officer has responsibility to assist in the implementation of a program strategy that seeks to strengthen the social, economic, cultural, and physical fabric of one of America’s most iconic cities and create opportunities for shared learning with the national urban redevelopment community.

This position will be a member of the foundation’s Detroit and Community Development Team, a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team working proactively to advance real progress in Detroit’s resurgence and revitalization through a multi-faceted investment framework, entitled Reimagining Detroit 2020. This framework seeks to bring about tangible, sustainable, long-term results in the city’s neighborhoods and its economic growth areas, while strengthening the systems that ensure opportunity and quality of life: the arts, transit, early childhood development, and civic capacity.  Expertise in addressing the nexus between sustainable urban development, early childhood development, and economic opportunity will be required in this position.

The Program Officer will report to the Deputy Director and work in close partnership with the other members of the Detroit and Community Development Team as well as with staff of the Program and Grants Management departments and other foundation staff. This position is based in metropolitan Detroit.

 Primary duties and responsibilities: 

 Program/Strategy

• Contributes to the implementation of the team’s strategy and program priorities.

Obtains, maintains and shares a high level of knowledge of the most effective strategies and current thinking in the urban redevelopment field – what works, the most effective and /or innovative ways to support the work, and how to implement strategies with partners.

Grant Reviews

• Performs grant review responsibilities for a combination of sourced and LOI-initiated grants.
• Writes memos, less complex strategy papers and straightforward and complex grant write-ups.
• As needed, utilizes PRI and innovative capital tools to achieve program objectives.
• With other team members, has collective responsibility for reaching annual grant targets. 

Research, Evaluation and Learning

• Develops grant outcomes and evaluation criteria for one’s own grants; reviews reports and interprets results.
• Contributes to the development of criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the team portfolio and participates in the evaluation of the results.
• Within the team calendar, conducts site visits and takes part in professional development opportunities.
• Participates in research, values its application, and contributes to program development within the team.

Contributions to the Field and other Duties

• Participates in funder and cross-sector collaboratives to achieve program objectives as needed.
• Maintains external involvement with other grantmakers, nonprofit leaders, and public and private sector stakeholders active in urban development – as needed by the team.
• Works collaboratively, actively supporting and encouraging all members within the team and across teams.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to the foundation’s mission and values in daily interactions.
• Performs other duties and special projects as requested.

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in relevant or related fields is required.  Master’s degree is desirable.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience and leadership on relevant policy and programmatic issues.  Seven (7) or more years preferred.
• Excellent analytical, writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in the development of strategies to affect change.
• Familiarity with the nonprofit sector; must have strong interpersonal skills and experience working collaboratively across the nonprofit, philanthropic, private, and public sectors.
• Must have proven experience building and maintaining strong and productive relationships.
• Skill in working effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to master a diverse and often demanding workload.
• Must be willing to travel extensively.  Local, regional and national travel requirements vary by team.
• Previous grantmaking experience, or experience with foundations, is preferred.