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Program Officer

Employer
Sunlight Giving
Location
Palo Alto, California
Salary
Target Starting Salary: $115,000 - $130,000 DOE + benefits
Closing date
May 28, 2021

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Focus Areas
Philanthropy / Social Responsibility
Job Function
Program / Project Management
Position Type
Full Time
Degree Level
Bachelors
Experience Level
Professional

Job Details

Sunlight Giving is a private family foundation that supports local, regional and national organizations that ensure young children and their families living in poverty in greater Silicon Valley have access to the resources they need. Sunlight Giving is one part of a family of philanthropic entities we collectively refer to as Wildcard Giving. In addition to Sunlight Giving, Wildcard Giving includes two “sister” donor advised funds, Acton Family Giving and Solidarity Giving. Together, Wildcard Giving is committed to community through a common set of values, grantmaking practices, and staff. We believe in an individual’s right to dignity, agency, justice, and self-determination and our giving works to further civic values, collective responsibility, and our common humanity. 

 

Summary of Position

We are looking for a highly skilled professional with a deep commitment to basic needs and safety net services to join our team. This position requires regular travel throughout Sunlight Giving’s 10-county geographic focus, with a primary assignment of Alameda, Contra Costa, Merced, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. The Program Officer provides day-to-day management of relationships with applicants and grantees throughout the grant process. The Program Officer performs due diligence on organizations and participates in grantmaking planning, budgeting and strategy. The Program Officer works closely with grantees, staff, board members, and external partners and monitors local, regional and national trends relating to poverty and safety net services.

 

Principal Responsibilities

  • Provide day-to-day management of relationships with grant applicants and grantees throughout the grant process, including responding to routine written and phone inquiries about guidelines; 
  • Perform due diligence on organizations and grant proposals: site visits as appropriate, review and analysis of financial data, assessment of capacity, and alignment with priorities;
  • Prepare summaries and grant amount recommendations consistent with grantmaking guidelines for board review and action;
  • Monitor approved grants to ensure grantees’ accountability;
  • Work collaboratively with the grants management team to ensure that board materials are completed accurately and on time;
  • Attend grant and board meetings, presenting information on grant strategy and recommended grants, and responding to questions from the board, as appropriate;
  • Collaborate with Program Director and other program officers on grantmaking strategy and planning, and as directed implement creative ways to serve the needs of the community; 

  • Represent Sunlight Giving to the community at large, maintaining strong partnerships with nonprofit and foundation partners;
  • Develop and maintain a knowledge base for relevant program areas, including staying current with public policy; and
  • Participate in Wildcard Giving activities to build a cohesive and collegial culture, advance principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and encourage cross-organizational learning.

 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; 
  • At least five years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector, preferably a combination of nonprofit and philanthropic work;
  • Demonstrated commitment to and/or lived experience as a member of the communities we center in our grantmaking;
  • Knowledge of Sunlight Giving’s program areas (as assigned), including familiarity with the regional nonprofit and philanthropic community and/or relevant regional and national nonprofits;
  • Strong analytical skills, including the ability to conduct research, organize report material, and clearly translate content and data into accessible language; 
  • Ability to read and effectively analyze nonprofit financial reports and budgets; 
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; 

  • Demonstrated ability to develop expertise in new program areas as needed; 
  • Ability to juggle multiple projects and work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team environment; 
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders;
  • Adaptable and resilient in a learning and iterative environment; 
  • Adept at working with people from diverse backgrounds, including staff of grantee organizations, boards of directors, high net worth donors, and those with divergent political and world views; 
  • Empathy and respect for those who do the hard work of developing and raising money for programs and organizations; 

  • Welcomes feedback as a means to personal and professional growth; 
  • Proven experience with Microsoft Office and database programs; 
  • Access to a personal vehicle (car is needed for site visits);
  • Demonstrated commitment to Wildcard Giving’s values and beliefs; and
  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and discretion about confidential matters.

 

Office Location 

Our office is in Palo Alto and the team regularly convenes in-person at least two days a week. As approved by your manager, you may also work intermittently from home or at a partner office in San Francisco. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our entire team works remotely full-time and is not currently traveling for any internal or external meetings. We plan a phased return to the office and to site visits, based upon guidance from local/state public health officials.

Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week, Exempt. Company hours are 9am-5pm. Your schedule will be set with your supervisor.

Reports to: Program Director

Target Starting Salary: $115,000 - $130,000 DOE

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401K retirement matching contributions, Flexible Spending Account/Dependent Care Account, and more.

 

To Apply

Please email a cover letter sharing your interest in the position and a resume to:

All final candidates must provide three relevant employment references and be able to verify the right to work in the United States.

Wildcard Giving is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, military service, legally protected medical condition or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

No phone calls please.

Company

Sunlight Giving is a private family foundation that supports local, regional and national organizations that ensure young children and their families living in poverty in greater Silicon Valley have access to the resources they need. Sunlight Giving is one part of a family of philanthropic entities we collectively refer to as Wildcard Giving. In addition to Sunlight Giving, Wildcard Giving includes two “sister” donor advised funds, Acton Family Giving and Solidarity Giving. Together, Wildcard Giving is committed to community through a common set of values, grantmaking practices, and staff. We believe in an individual’s right to dignity, agency, justice, and self-determination and our giving works to further civic values, collective responsibility, and our common humanity.

Company info
Website
Telephone
(650) 235-4883
Location
855 El Camino Real
Building 4, Suite 200
Palo Alto
CA
94301
United States

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