What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Officer position at The Scherman Foundation, Inc.?
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT : PROGRAM OFFICER
The Scherman Foundation’s mission is to invest in the economic, political, and cultural transformation necessary for Black, Indigenous and People of Color to reclaim and build power. In 2021, our 80th anniversary sparked an exploration of the Foundation's historic values and longstanding support for organizations at the forefront of social change, and as a result, the Foundation strengthened its dedication to advancing racial justice emphasizing the importance of organizing, power shifting, and movement building in BIPOC communities. The Foundation prioritizes long-term general operating funds. More information about our new framework can be found here.
We are seeking a Program Officer who is excited to support our current programs and grantees, while helping to more closely align those programs with our commitment to racial, economic, and social justice, and environmental sustainability. The Foundation made approximately 180 grants over the past two years totaling $14 million. Our five-person staff is highly collaborative and engaged.
The Program Officer will be responsible for managing and co-managing grantmaking in one or more of our current grants portfolios. These include the Arts, Democracy, Environmental and Climate Justice, Reproductive Justice, and Strengthening New York Communities (SNYC) programs. The current sub areas within SNYC include Housing and Land Justice and Workers Rights and Justice. The distribution and extent of this work will depend on the expertise, capacities, and interests of the new Program Officer. This role reports to Program Director Gisela Alvarez.
Strong candidates will have a deep understanding of racial justice grantmaking, including the interconnectedness of work funded across portfolios as well as the other work being done at the foundation. Familiarity and / or experience with organizing and movement-building and the philanthropic partners that support this work is preferred. The position requires creativity, curiosity, and the desire to learn. Strong candidates will be skilled in relationship and trust building, deep listening, and the ability to work towards the foundation’s long-term vision while also acting in a tactical and responsive manner in the short term.
The person in this role will work closely with colleagues within the foundation, philanthropy, and the field to ensure the foundation leverages opportunities to address the structural inequities and barriers that have been at the root of the national decline in upward mobility and felt opportunity, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.
QUALIFICATIONS
- At least six years of experience in movement-based social justice work in a combination of frontline and philanthropic support roles is strongly preferred
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Strong familiarity with organizations that fit the Foundation’s funding priorities
- Able to communicate and share ideas in a clear and compelling way
- A deep understanding of what nonprofits, particularly our grantees, need to do their work
- Knowledge in one or more of the Foundation’s grantmaking areas is strongly preferred
- Collaboration, enthusiasm, and responsiveness are essential
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
COMPENSATION
The Scherman Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer and employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation / affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.
HOW TO APPLY
Salary : $100,000 - $140,000