Climate Programs Associate - Grants & Strategy

Wellspring Philanthropic Fund; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Employer 401(k)

Student loan repayment

Education support

Disability protection

Inclusive healthcare

Job summary

Wellspring Philanthropic Fund’s Wellspring Climate Initiative in Irvine, California seeks a Program Associate for the Climate Initiative. The role spans program development, delivery, and performance, including research on sector trends, creating presentations, and supporting grant approvals.

Will coordinate grant processes, track outcomes, and prepare strategy papers with leadership. Minimum three years in climate or related field; advanced degree preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of experience working in climate change or a related field; philanthropic and/or advocacy experience is desired.
• An advanced degree in a relevant field is preferred, or equivalent by experience.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain close, collegial, effective working relationships with colleagues and grantees of diverse backgrounds.
• Exceptional judgment and ability to handle confidential information with complete discretion.
• Proven experience interacting with senior management.
• Ability to multi‑task, meet deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Understanding of grantmaking.
• Excellent analytic abilities and organizational skills.
• Comfort with quantitative information and data, including budgets and financial information.
• Initiative, resourcefulness, flexibility, and a sense of humor.
• Excellent English language writing, synthesizing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Ability to work in a cross‑cultural, team environment.
• Understanding and valuing social justice, including racial and gender equity as an organizational operating principle.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and analysis on programs and climate sector trends to inform strategic priorities and operational plans.
• Develop presentations, graphs, and charts to communicate findings to leadership and grant committees.
• Assist leadership in preparing aspects of program strategy and evidence base for grant approvals.
• Support grant management processes to enable efficient and effective philanthropic activity.
• Assist program officers with tracking grantee work and outcomes, including grant reports and meetings.
• Prepare strategy recommendations, background papers, and portfolio investment reports.
• Draft summaries and analyses of grant proposals for leadership review.
• Participate in grantmaking activities from screening to proposal development and site visits.

Skills

Analytical abilities

Organizational skills

English writing

Cross-cultural teamwork

Discretion with confidential info

Grantmaking understanding

Ability to multi-task

Working with senior management

Education

Advanced degree preferred

Equivalent by experience

Job description

Wellspring Philanthropic Fund’s Wellspring Climate Initiative in Irvine, California seeks a Program Associate for the Climate Initiative. The role spans program development, delivery, and performance, including research on sector trends, creating presentations, and supporting grant approvals.

Will coordinate grant processes, track outcomes, and prepare strategy papers with leadership. Minimum three years in climate or related field; advanced degree preferred.