Director of Grantmaking and Impact

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City; Leawood (KS); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City seeks a senior leader to direct grantmaking and scholarship programs, guide committees, ensure compliance with donor intent and policies, and manage workflows with finance and operations in a hybrid work environment.

The ideal candidate will shape strategic grantmaking, build trusted relationships with Jewish agencies and nonprofits, translate community needs into funded initiatives, and report on impact with integrity and attention to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Master’s degree or relevant professional degree preferred.
• At least five years of experience in the nonprofit sector or related fields.
• Ability to translate community information into practical initiatives.
• Strong relationship-building, facilitation and communication skills.
• Excellent writing, analytical, project-management and organizational skills.
• High integrity, discretion and attention to detail; ability to work independently.
• Fluency with productivity and database systems; grantmaking or CRM experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of JCF-administered grant programs from application to follow-up.
• Guide volunteer grantmaking committees with analyses, funding recommendations and records.
• Ensure donor-recommended grants comply with restrictions and policies.
• Oversee grant disbursement workflows with finance and operations.
• Improve grantmaking policies, processes, and reporting for efficiency.
• Provide leadership of scholarship programs, including awards and communications.
• Retain governance records for the foundation’s boards and committees.
• Support compliance and timely action on board decisions.
• Help shape broader grantmaking strategy with leadership.
• Identify opportunities for proactive philanthropic investment.
• Build relationships with agencies, synagogues, nonprofits and donors.
• Develop metrics to assess impact and communicate results.
• Connect donors with giving opportunities through outreach and programs.

Skills

Grantmaking

Scholarship management

Strategic planning

Community engagement

Research

Compliance

Donor relations

Project management

Communication

CRM experience

Data analysis

Nonprofit experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

CRM software

Microsoft Office

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) partners with individuals, families and community organizations to help them achieve their philanthropic goals. In 2025, JCF awarded and facilitated more than $45 million in 5,900+ grants to nearly 1,300 Jewish and general community organizations locally and nationally. As a leading regional resource for philanthropy, the Foundation manages more than $457 million in assets and has facilitated more than $450 million in grants over the past 20 years.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Grantmaking and Scholarship Leadership and Administration

• Lead the full lifecycle of JCF-administered, committee-directed grant programs, including application processes, eligibility review, due diligence, proposal evaluation, committee materials, award documentation and follow-up.
• Guide volunteer grantmaking committees with clear analyses, balanced funding recommendations, agendas, meeting coordination and accurate records of decisions.
• Ensure donor-recommended and committee-directed grants are processed accurately and promptly, reflect documented charitable intent, and comply with fund restrictions, JCF policies and applicable charitable requirements.
• Oversee appropriate review and approval workflows for grant disbursements, checks and electronic payments in partnership with finance and operations personnel and consistent with internal controls.
• Improve grantmaking policies, workflows, grant-management technology and reporting to enhance service, accessibility, consistency and operational efficiency.
• Provide leadership and oversight of JCF-administered scholarship programs, including outreach, applications, eligibility, committee selection, awards, applicant communications and disbursement coordination.

Supporting Foundation Governance and Compliance

• Retain responsibility for assigned supporting-foundation administration and governance, including board and committee meetings, minutes, annual elections or appointment documentation, and related records.
• Coordinate with JCF leadership, finance staff and professional advisers to support supporting-foundation compliance, grantmaking administration, governance requirements and timely follow-through on board actions.

Philanthropic Strategy and Community Impact

• Partner with the President & CEO and volunteer leadership to shape and advance JCF’s broader grantmaking strategy, informed by community priorities, emerging needs, donor interests and opportunities for collaboration.
• Identify, research and develop opportunities for proactive philanthropic investment and responses to urgent or evolving community needs.
• Build trusted relationships with Jewish communal agencies, synagogues, nonprofits, professional colleagues and other stakeholders to understand challenges, opportunities and potential solutions.
• Bring actionable analysis, thoughtful options and evidence-informed recommendations to donors, volunteer committees and JCF leadership while appreciating their respective decision-making roles.
• Develop methods to assess results, learn from grantmaking, and communicate philanthropic impact without imposing disproportionate reporting burdens on grantees.
• Help connect donors and fundholders with meaningful giving opportunities through targeted outreach, site visits, educational programs and tailored community insights.

PROFILE OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required; master’s degree or relevant professional degree preferred.
• At least five years of experience in the nonprofit sector or a related field, including transferable experience in philanthropy, program leadership, strategic planning, community engagement, research, compliance or comparable work.
• Demonstrated strategic judgment and ability to translate community information and complex issues into practical initiatives, sound recommendations and measurable learning.
• Strong relationship‑building, facilitation and communication skills, with confidence engaging donors, volunteer leaders, nonprofit executives and diverse community stakeholders.
• Excellent writing, analytical, project‑management and organizational skills; ability to balance long‑range priorities with complex, deadline‑sensitive administration.
• High integrity, discretion and attention to detail; ability to work independently and lead collaboratively without formal supervisory authority.
• Fluency with productivity and database systems; grantmaking, scholarship‑management or CRM experience preferred.
• Knowledge of community foundations, Jewish communal organizations, the Greater Kansas City nonprofit landscape or charitable compliance is valued but not required.
• A strategic thinker with strong executive administration skills; passionate about philanthropic impact; diplomatic and collaborative; committed to excellent service; comfortable improving established systems while honoring JCF’s fiduciary and community responsibilities.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life insurance, long‑term and short‑term disability, and generous vacation, sick leave and holidays.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

JCF currently operates in a hybrid work environment. The Director is expected to be responsive to organizational and community needs, including attending in‑person meetings, events and other activities when necessary.