Community Investment Specialist

AlignHR; Wheeling (WV); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley is seeking a Community Investment Specialist in Wheeling, WV to manage grantmaking programs, engage nonprofit organizations, and provide data-driven insights to guide foundation decisions.

Working with the Director of Community Investment, you will streamline processes, support capacity-building efforts, and coordinate for interns, volunteers, or project participants while maintaining alignment with policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, community development, business administration, social work, or related field
• Two to four years of experience in philanthropy, grantmaking, nonprofit management, community development, or community engagement; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Strong skills in grant administration, research and analysis, project coordination, and relationship management
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, databases, and grant management systems (GLM/SLM preferred)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to evaluate complex information and develop recommendations
• Ability to manage changing priorities, maintain attention to detail, and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Manage competitive and noncompetitive grantmaking processes from application through closeout.
• Administer Donor Advised Fund Committee grants and Donor Designated Fund grants.
• Coordinate application review, due diligence, and applicant interviews.
• Screen Capacity and Emergency Grant requests and recommend next steps.
• Prepare grant agreements, coordinate payments, and monitor reporting requirements.
• Identify opportunities to streamline grantmaking processes.
• Build and maintain relationships with nonprofit organizations and community partners.
• Conduct site visits and participate in community meetings and convenings.
• Gather information on community needs, nonprofit capacity, emerging issues, and gaps in services.
• Provide observations and insights that strengthen CFOV's understanding of community conditions.
• Analyze applications and develop funding recommendations.
• Support Field of Interest Fund grantmaking through research and recommendations.
• Contribute to evaluation of grantmaking programs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Track grantmaking trends and communicate findings to the Director.
• Develop and coordinate nonprofit education and capacity-building programs.
• Identify training and technical assistance needs through engagement and grantmaking.
• Coordinate external partners supporting nonprofit capacity building.
• Support community initiatives and special projects as assigned.
• Serve as lead staff for assigned giving circles.
• Coordinate application, review, funding, communication, and reporting activities.
• Support participant engagement and education on community needs and philanthropic opportunities.
• Serve as primary resource for Grants Lifecycle Manager (GLM) and related systems.
• Provide technical assistance to applicants and internal users.
• Identify opportunities to improve grantmaking technology, workflows, and reporting.
• Maintain documentation supporting consistent system use.

Skills

Grant administration

Relationship management

Project coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, community development, business administration, social work, or related field

Tools

Grant management systems (GLM/SLM)

Microsoft Office Suite

Databases

Job description

Community Investment Specialist

Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley - Wheeling, WV

Full-Time | Exempt | On-site with occasional regional travel

About Us

The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV) enhances the vibrancy of the Upper Ohio Valley through meaningful charitable actions, strategic and initiative-driven investments, and thoughtful community leadership. We strengthen local nonprofits, support community partners, and invest in programs that improve quality of life across the region. Join a mission-driven team committed to community impact, collaboration, and strategic philanthropy.

Schedule & Compensation

Generally, 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, with occasional evening events.

Salary: Based on education and experience with a comprehensive benefit package including medical, paid time off, paid holidays, and retirement.

Position Summary

The Community Investment Specialist supports CFOV's community investment work by managing assigned grantmaking programs, engaging nonprofit organizations and community partners, and developing information that supports Foundation decision-making. Working closely with the Director of Community Investment, this role ensures grantmaking processes are implemented effectively, consistently, and in alignment with Foundation priorities, policies and procedures. The Specialist also contributes community-level knowledge, supports nonprofit capacity-building programs, and may provide coordination for interns, volunteers, or project participants.

Key Responsibilities

Grantmaking & Program Management

• Manage competitive and noncompetitive grantmaking processes from application through closeout.
• Administer Donor Advised Fund Committee grants and Donor Designated Fund grants.
• Coordinate application review, due diligence, and applicant interviews.
• Screen Capacity and Emergency Grant requests and recommend next steps.
• Prepare grant agreements, coordinate payments, and monitor reporting requirements.
• Identify opportunities to streamline grantmaking processes.

Community Engagement & Program Intelligence

• Build and maintain relationships with nonprofit organizations and community partners.
• Conduct site visits and participate in community meetings and convenings.
• Gather information on community needs, nonprofit capacity, emerging issues, and gaps in services.
• Provide observations and insights that strengthen CFOV's understanding of community conditions.

Grant Recommendations & Program Evaluation

• Analyze applications and develop funding recommendations.
• Support Field of Interest Fund grantmaking through research and recommendations.
• Contribute to evaluation of grantmaking programs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Track grantmaking trends and communicate findings to the Director.

Nonprofit Capacity Building & Community Programs

• Develop and coordinate nonprofit education and capacity-building programs.
• Identify training and technical assistance needs through engagement and grantmaking.
• Coordinate external partners supporting nonprofit capacity building.
• Support community initiatives and special projects as assigned.

Giving Circles

• Serve as lead staff for assigned giving circles.
• Coordinate application, review, funding, communication, and reporting activities.
• Support participant engagement and education on community needs and philanthropic opportunities.

Grantmaking Systems & Technical Support

• Serve as primary resource for Grants Lifecycle Manager (GLM) and related systems.
• Provide technical assistance to applicants and internal users.
• Identify opportunities to improve grantmaking technology, workflows, and reporting.
• Maintain documentation supporting consistent system use.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Collaborate with Development on Donor Advised Fund and Agency Endowment grantmaking.
• Partner with Stewardship to share information on grantmaking impact.
• Work with Marketing & Communications to identify stories demonstrating grantmaking outcomes.
• Support donor and fundholder education related to community needs and Foundation investments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, community development, business administration, social work, or related field.
• Two to four years of experience in philanthropy, grantmaking, nonprofit management, community development, or community engagement; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong skills in grant administration, research and analysis, project coordination, and relationship management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, databases, and grant management systems (GLM/SLM preferred).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to evaluate complex information and develop recommendations.
• Ability to manage changing priorities, maintain attention to detail, and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Work Environment

Professional office setting with occasional regional travel for meetings, site visits, and community events. Light physical activity; must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. Fast-paced, collaborative, and mission-driven culture.

CFOV is an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and protected veteran status.