Foundation Program & Grants Associate

New York Life; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York Life Foundation is seeking a highly organized Foundation Program & Grants Associate to advance grantmaking and partnership work. Working closely with the VP and program leads, the Associate will support grant administration, due diligence, and drafting grant recommendations.

You will research grantees, manage RFP processes, track reports and outcomes, coordinate with grantees and internal partners, and help prepare briefs for VP review.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in philanthropy, grantmaking, grants administration, nonprofit programs, or a related field.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills, with the ability to develop clear recommendations, briefs, and updates for senior leaders and internal stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate effectively across teams and stakeholders.
• Highly detail-oriented and comfortable using grant systems and common tools (Excel/Sheets, SharePoint/Teams, etc.).
• Experience supporting competitive RFP processes and managing grant or nonprofit partner relationships preferred.

Responsibilities

• Grantmaking and Grant Administration: support research, due diligence, approvals, agreements, and grant files.
• Grant lifecycle management: payments, reporting, renewals, closeouts, and compliance.
• Draft grant recommendations and briefs for VP review with summarised strategic fit, risks, and terms.
• Create and update core grant materials and track progress with accuracy.

Skills

Writing

Project management

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel/Sheets

SharePoint/Teams

Grant management software

Job description

Location Designation: Hybrid - 3 days per week

Foundation Program & Grants Associate

Department: Corporate Responsibility & New York Life Foundation

Reports to: VP, Corporate Responsibility & NYL Foundation

Travel: 5–10%

Position Summary

The New York Life Foundation is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented Foundation Program & Grants Associate to help advance the Foundation’s grantmaking and partnership work. Working closely with the VP and program leads, this role supports strategic grantmaking, grants administration, RFP processes, grantee coordination, and project management of grantee deliverables. The Associate will conduct research, support proposal review and due diligence, track reports and outcomes, and draft grant recommendations, briefs, updates, and other materials for VP review. This role is ideal for someone who brings strong follow-through, clear communication, and a collaborative approach to supporting grantees, partners, and key Foundation initiatives.

What You’ll Do:

1. Grantmaking and Grant Administration
   • * Support grant administration from initial research and due diligence through internal approvals, agreements, documentation, and complete grant files.
   • * Support management of assigned grants across the lifecycle, including payment coordination, reporting, renewals, and closeout.
   • * Draft grant recommendations and supporting materials by researching grantees, compiling key information, and summarizing strategic fit, rationale, risks, and terms for VP review.
   • * Create and update core grant materials, including briefs, trackers, approval packets, contact lists, and closeout documentation.
   • * Maintain accurate grant system entries, reminders, and review routing; identify process improvements in partnership with the operations team.
2. Grantee Support and Relationship Management
   • * Support strong grantee relationships by coordinating meetings, agendas, logistics, follow-ups, and regular check-ins.
   • * Attend assigned grantee and partner meetings; capture notes, decisions, and action items; and follow up to help ensure next steps are completed.
   • * Track grantee reports and deliverables; summarize progress against scope, timelines, and outcomes; and flag risks or recommended next steps for VP review.
   • * Research grantees and focus areas; prepare short briefs, talking points, and updates for leadership and internal stakeholders.
3. RFP Administration
   • * Provide administrative support for Foundation RFPs, including Community Impact Grants, Grief Reach, and Coaching the Future, which are managed by the Senior Associate. Support launch, outreach, review, selection, award documentation, reporting, and follow-up.
   • * Coordinate applicant and grantee communications, information requests, office hours or convenings, and timely follow-up, elevating questions or issues as appropriate.
   • * Maintain RFP calendars, application and review materials, trackers, scoring and decision documentation, and status updates; coordinate reviewers and help ensure key deadlines are met.
4. Project Management, Initiatives, and Special Projects
   • * Provide project management support for grantee deliverables and Foundation initiatives, including milestones, timelines, dependencies, action logs, check-ins, and status updates.
   • * Support the Grief-Supportive Workplace Initiative and Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative by coordinating partner touchpoints, trainings, materials, reporting requirements, and activities that advance adoption and impact.
   • * Support grant-related trainings, convenings, partner meetings, timelines, logistics, and materials in collaboration with the engagement team.
   • * Provide logistical support for grantee engagement activities and events, including on-site support as needed.
   • * Contribute to other projects and priorities as needed to support the evolving work of the Foundation.

What You’ll Bring:

• * Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• * 4+ years of relevant experience in philanthropy, grantmaking, grants administration, nonprofit programs, project coordination, or a related field.
• * Excellent writing and analytical skills, with the ability to develop clear recommendations, briefs, and updates for senior leaders and internal stakeholders.
• * Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate effectively across teams and stakeholders.
• * Highly detail-oriented and comfortable using grant systems and common tools (Excel/Sheets, SharePoint/Teams, etc.).
• * Sound judgment, reliable follow-through, and a collaborative working style, with the ability to engage professionally with external partners and work thoughtfully on sensitive topics.
• * Experience supporting competitive RFP processes and managing grant or nonprofit partner relationships preferred.

Pay Transparency

Salary Range: $65,000-$92,500

Overtime eligible: Exempt

Discretionary bonus eligible: Yes

Sales bonus eligible: No

Actual base salary will be determined based on several factors but not limited to individual’s experience, skills, qualifications, and job location. Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition to base salary, employees may also be eligible to participate in an incentive program.

Company Overview

At New York Life, our 180-year legacy of purpose and integrity fuels our future. As we evolve into a more technology-, data-, and AI-enabled organization, we remain grounded in the values that drive lasting impact.

Our diverse business portfolio creates opportunities to make a difference across industries and communities—inviting bold thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and purpose-driven innovation. Here, you’ll find the rare balance of long-standing stability and forward momentum, supported by an inclusive team that honors tradition while embracing progress.

As a Fortune 100 mutual company, we offer a place to grow your skills, contribute to meaningful work, and deliver solutions that matter. Your ideas drive what’s next, and your growth powers it.

Our Benefits

We provide a full package of benefits for employees – and have unique offerings for a modern workforce, including leave programs, adoption assistance, and student loan repayment programs. Based on feedback from our employees, we continue to refine and add benefits to our offering, so that you can flourish both inside and outside of work. Click here to discover more about our comprehensive benefit options or visit our NYL Benefits Site.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At New York Life, fostering an inclusive workplace is fundamental to who we are and how we serve our communities. We have a longstanding commitment to creating an environment where individuals can contribute their best and succeed together. This foundation is rooted in our core values of humanity and integrity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported. By embracing a broad range of perspectives and experiences, we achieve greater success and fulfill our promise of providing financial security and peace of mind to families across all communities. Click here to learn more about New York Life’s leadership in this space.

Recognized as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, New York Life is committed to improving local communities through a culture of employee giving and volunteerism, supported by the Foundation. We're proud that due to our mutuality, we operate in the best interests of our policy owners. To learn more about career opportunities at New York Life, please visit the Careers page of www.NewYorkLife.com.

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