Community Investment Officer

Organizational Overview

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) is a $230 million dollar community foundation focused on enriching the quality of life in Washtenaw County. Our assets have doubled since 2015 and now AAACF is one of the 20 fastest-growing community foundations in the US. Founded in 1963, AAACF administers over 700 charitable funds. Through a core team of 20 Trustees, 19 employees, and 400 volunteers, AAACF works to connect people, charitable causes, and permanent capital for community impact. To learn more, visit www.aaacf.org.

Don’t’ check off every box – Apply Anyway!

Statistics show that marginalized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. AAACF is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every requirement below, we encourage you to still consider applying. Who knows, you might be the right person for another future role!

• Are you passionate about AAACF’s vision and mission?

• Do your values align with AAACF's values?

• Do systems change, equity, belonging, and the potential to improve the lives for the residents of Washtenaw County get you excited?

• If so, we want you to leverage your grant-making skills and expertise with the team of AAACF.

Position Summary:

The Community Investment Officer supports key grantmaking programs, grantmaking activities, and supports community leadership initiatives. Works with and supports the Vice President for Community Investment on the development, direction, and implementation of AAACF’s core grantmaking initiatives. Presents internally and externally with humility and a service-oriented mindset. Develops, builds, and maintains strong relationships with individuals, community partners, other funders, and the nonprofit sector to enhance the impact of AAACF grants.

Reports To: Vice President for Community Investment

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Job Type: Full-time: 40 hours: Hybrid Environment: Salary (Exempt)

Strategic Grant Programs Design and Implementation (currently includes)

• Provide support and guidance to grantseekers, fostering transparency and trust throughout the application process.

• Analyze grant proposals and engage with community partners to align funding with community-defined priorities and outcomes.

• Facilitate grantmaking committees, ensuring collaborative decision-making and alignment with AAACF’s values.

• Develop comprehensive program design, proposal, and evaluation of programs in portfolio

• Manage and operate additional grantmaking programs that are a standing part of AAACF’s portfolio of activities.

• Provide guidance to grantseekers for their preparation or revising of grant proposals

• Research and analyze assigned grant proposals and other grant opportunities through review of written materials, site visits, and conversations with community partners to ensure compliance with donor intent, grant program priorities, and intended community outcomes

• Facilitates and supports various grantmaking committees in the areas of application review, grantee selection, and award issuance processes

• Monitors reporting requirements for assigned grant portfolios; evaluates results on a timely basis to understand outcomes achieved through AAACF philanthropic investments

Setting Grantmaking Priorities

• Assists the Vice President for Community Investment in developing and exploring grantmaking priorities. In doing so, facilitates the process of obtaining and sharing information from the community which may include convening community forums and/or focus groups, public speaking, presentations, and networking with appropriate individuals and organizations

• Build trust and connections with local stakeholders, ensuring grantmaking is informed by diverse perspectives and lived experiences.

Evaluation & Community Research

• Assists the Vice President for Community Investment in developing and overseeing high quality grant processes and program evaluation. In doing so:

• Build and maintain the Community Foundation’s knowledge of best practices in measuring impact in philanthropy; help prioritize and lead efforts to implement effective strategies

• Works with Community Foundation staff to incorporate evaluation findings into ongoing learning and work of the Foundation to inform Community Investment practices and the broader community.

• Handles special projects relating to emerging community needs including leading community engagement and voice initiatives

• Works collaboratively with the Philanthropy team to implement and produce knowledge content for donors, potential donors, and community stakeholders

• Maintains current knowledge of all changes affecting area of work

Professional Relationships

• Supports the mission, vision and strategic goals of the Community Foundation in order to serve both internal and external constituents

• Creates and maintains positive, professional relationships with other local private and public funders, community partners, the nonprofit sector, national and state funders and/or affinity groups with the goal of leveraging additional resources and extending the Community Foundation’s impact in Washtenaw County

• Actively participates in meetings and within the team to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the Community Investment department and the foundation, thereby demonstrating the ability to work effectively across departments and to enhance the collective strength of the entire AAACF team

• Follows and supports Community Foundation policies and procedures.

Budget Management

• Manages grant program budgets effectively to accurately award funding based on annual allocations approved by the AAACF Board of Trustees

Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree or at least four to six years of progressively more responsible experience in the fields of philanthropy, nonprofit management, or community change/leadership.

• Understanding of the role and importance of philanthropy to the vibrancy of our communities

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of systems, program design, public policy, and evaluation and the ability to use this knowledge in implementing strategic grant programs and initiatives

Skills and Personal Qualities

• Believes in AAACF’s mission and culture.

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity and fostering trust in diverse communities

• Self-starter with the creativity and ability to work on own initiative

• Proven facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse groups effectively

• Ability to make decisions independently that are consistent with the strategies and policies of the Community Foundation

• Ability to synthesize material, focus quickly on the essence of an issue, and translate information into action

• Extensive computer and software use skills, including robust Excel abilities to work with data and organize team projects

• Strong presentation skills

• Strong project management skills

• Ability to develop and oversee budgets

• Interpersonal, organizational, time management, and leadership skills

• Evaluates own performance and assumes responsibility for ongoing professional development

• Maintains confidentiality

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $55,000 - $65,000 based on a candidate’s experience and relevant expertise. AAACF also offers a generous benefits package including:

· hybrid working environment

· health, dental and vision insurance

· 403(b) plan with contribution matching

· up to 8 weeks of paid family or medical leave

· life insurance

· short and long-term disability insurance

· flexible and childcare savings accounts

· paid time off and much more

· amazing staff together with a great office environment and culture.

To Apply for This Position

Email a cover letter and resume to jobs@aaacf.org. The cover letter should be addressed to Christopher Lemon, Vice President Community Investment and should address the following questions: -

• Why do you want to work for AAACF?
• What makes you an exceptional candidate for this position?
• What skill or knowledge have you learned recently that you are excited about?

You may also direct questions about this posting to jobs@aaacf.org (no phone calls, please). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted until the position is filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Financial planning services
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan

Ability to Commute:

• Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Ann Arbor, MI 48104: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Salary : $55,000 - $65,000