Director of Grantmaking and Capacity Building

Ms. Foundation for Women; New York (NY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ms. Foundation for Women is seeking a Director of Grantmaking and Capacity Building to lead and supervise grantmaking and capacity building programs that advance intersectional, feminist movement-building led by women, girls, and gender-expansive people of color.

The role requires equity-centered, trust-based practices and strategic oversight of a growing portfolio of grantees. As a member of the leadership team, you will partner with cross‑department colleagues to design learning, reflection,

Qualifications

• Experience leading grantmaking and capacity-building programs.
• Strong equity-centered, trust-based philanthropy philosophy.
• Proven leadership and people-management experience.
• Extensive network in the philanthropic sector.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage grantmaking and capacity building programs.
• Design processes to integrate learning and reflection across the GCB team.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment and impact.
• Support philanthropic advocacy initiatives and fundraising goals.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to grantee leaders and staff.

Skills

Grantmaking

Capacity Building

Equity-centered

Trust-based philanthropy

People-centered management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Director of Grantmaking and Capacity Building

Reporting to the Chief of Programs, the Director is directly responsible for supervising and managing grantmaking and capacity building programs and initiatives within the GCB team that represent intersectional, feminist, movement building and organizing led by women, girls, and gender-expansive people of color, and supports the strengthening and sustainability of grantee leaders, organizations and the overall social justice ecosystem. The Director works collaboratively with GCB staff to design processes to integrate learning and reflection throughout the GCB team’s work. In addition, the Director works closely with other departments within the Foundation, including the Office of the President, Advancement, and the Finance and Operations team to ensure the integration, alignment and impact of our work throughout the organization. The Director also supports projects and initiatives related to Ms. Foundation’s philanthropic advocacy, which aims to increase the quantity and quality of funding, as well as to further philanthropy’s understanding and investment in women, girls, and gender expansive people of color movement building and organizing, as outlined in Ms. Foundation for Women’s strategic plan.

The Director of Grantmaking and Capacity Building (GCB) will be a key member of the Ms. Foundation leadership team and will work directly with other directors and the executive leadership to inform and guide the Foundation’s strategies, culture, and day-to-day activities. We are seeking a Director with a stellar record of equity-centered, trust-based, values-driven grantmaking and capacity building practice, as well as people-centered management and supervising experience. The ideal candidate has substantial experience in grantmaking, a strong network in the philanthropic sector, and solid understanding of how an intermediary public foundation operates.

Ms. Foundation funds intersectional, feminist, movement building and organizing work led by and for women, girls and gender expansive people of color. Ms. Foundation is strongly grantee-centered and relationship-driven and is continually reflecting and refining ways to further adopt trust-based and care-based philanthropic practices. In fiscal year 2025, Ms. Foundation awarded $6.5M to over 180 grants across programs. It is anticipated that the volume and award amount will be similar in FY26