Program Officer - Grants After School

American Savings Foundation: The American Savings Foundation is an independent charitable foundation dedicated to strengthening the community by supporting education, human services, and the arts, with a special emphasis on the needs of children, youth, and families, through grants to community organizations and college scholarships.

POSITION SUMMARY: Manage a wide range of duties related to the Foundation's grants program, including, but not limited to, outreach, processing, review, and analyzing outcomes across a portfolio of grants across all priority areas. Oversee the Foundation’s grants to after school programs, and provide support, guidance, and expertise to after school grantees. Assist the President and CEO adminstering the Foundation's grants program, carry out its objectives, and providing recommendations and implementing program enhancements.

The job functions, as outlined in this job description, are intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this position. The omission of any job function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grants Management & Administration

Provide management and oversight of an assigned portfolio of grants across all priority areas (human services, education, and arts and culture), throughout the entire grant lifecycle.

• Respond to public inquiries regarding Foundation grant policies and procedures. Provide guidance and technical assistance to grant seekers.
• Review and analyze grant requests, conduct due diligence including follow-up inquiries.
• Provide analysis and professional judgment in developing staff recommendations to the Grants Committee, including analysis of the nonprofit organization, its operations, and budget.
• Assist with presenting oral and written reports and answering questions to the Grants Committee and the Board of Directors as needed.
• Produce timely confirmation and other official correspondence to grant seekers and grantees.
• Monitor grants by conducting site visits and additional meetings. Analyze grantee progress and final reports. Provide regular updates on progress to the President & CEO, and/or Grants Committee and the Board, as directed.
• Follow Foundation policies and procedures including payment processing, record keeping, and record retention, regarding all aspects of grants management.
• Keep abreast of trends in grantsmanship, philanthropy, outcomes evaluation, and database management. Support the implementation of evolving grant-making strategies as appropriate, in keeping with philanthropic best practices.

  After School Grants Portfolio Management

  Serve as the primary grants officer for the Foundation’s after school grants portfolio.

• Manage the grant lifecycle, as described above, for all grants related to after-school programs.
• Provide evaluation and guidance to after school grantees on program quality and best practice standards.
• Represent the Foundation in local and statewide collaborative efforts to improve the quality and availability of after school programs.
• Work with other Foundation staff to write press releases, website content and social media, primarily as related to after-school program funding.

  Community Leadership

• Represent the Foundation at meetings of non-profit agencies, other funders, and community leaders. Maintain relationships with other foundations and non-profits. Attend events on behalf of the Foundation.
• Explore issues and trends in the community to help the Foundation develop and implement proactive strategies and strategic grantmaking and in the field of after-school.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Job Experience: Successful candidate needs 5-7 years of professional work experience. Working knowledge of local non-profit community and area needs. Preference is for a candidate with prior experience in the nonprofit sector or after school, or foundation. Specific experience in operating, managing, and evaluating after-school programs. Significant skills in organizing, analyzing, presenting data, reaching conclusions, and developing recommendations. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of individuals. Motivated and results oriented.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required. Leadership experience, training, and/or certification in After School programs strongly preferred.

Professional Profile:

• Self-directed individual capable of working independently and assume personal responsibility
• Experience managing complex and time-sensitive processes.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask at a high level of competency and accuracy, performing a variety of detailed tasks and projects.
  • Commitment to discretion, confidentiality, and integrity.
  • Thrives in a demanding environment--with empathy, poise, and good humor.
  • Flexible when priorities and workload shift dramatically and quickly.
• Proficient at managing a high volume of tasks and timelines, while maintaining attention to detail.
• Able to prioritize what tasks should take precedence and balance demanding workload, especially during peak seasons.
• Strong customer service ethic and team-oriented, excellent interpersonal skills.
• Dynamic, positive individual able to relate well with diverse populations and age groups.
• Creative and capable of problem-solving in a work environment composed of a small mission-focused team.

Technical Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills. Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite. Significant experience with database management systems such as Foundant, or similar. Experience working on web-based platforms such as social media, website management tools, DocuSign, SingnalVine, Canva, Constant Contact, and the capacity to adopt new online tools required.  

Travel: In-state travel is required for this position. Occasional out-of-state travel for conferences may be necessary. A valid driver's license and the ability to meet the Foundations driving standards is a requirement for this position.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:This is a full-time, exempt position with hours M-F 8:30-5:00 or M-F 8:00 – 4:30, with some evenings and weekend hours required to conduct site visits and attend community events in alignment with agency schedules. The position is office-based at 1 Liberty Square, New Britain, CT 06051. Salary is commensurate with experience. Any offer is subject to a successful background check.

The American Savings Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.