Foundation Program Manager

Commerce Bank; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company as a Foundation Program Manager, where you'll manage relationships with nonprofits, conduct due diligence, and make impactful grant recommendations. This full-time role in Kansas City offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience.
• Preferred: 2+ years in organizational functions like resource allocation, budgeting, governance.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with nonprofits and conduct due diligence on potential grantees.
• Write funding recommendations and present them to foundation committees.
• Monitor grants and improve processes through collaboration.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Relationship-Building

Communication

Project Leadership

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Join to apply for the Foundation Program Manager role at Commerce Bank.

About Working At Commerce
Building a career here is more than just steps on a ladder. It’s about helping people find financial safety and success, helping businesses thrive, and making sure people and their money are taken care of. Our culture centers on our people, both in our communities and within our organization.

Here, you’ll find opportunities to grow, learn, connect with others, and build relationships. We provide the space and resources for you to develop into your best self, because our greatest investment is in our people.

Creating an award-winning culture takes effort, and after 160 years, we know our best asset is our team. If this sounds appealing, keep reading and let’s talk.

Compensation Range
Annual Salary: $80,000.00 - $94,500.00 (dependent on experience, skills, and competencies).

Commerce Bank supports several foundations in Kansas City, including the William T. Kemper Foundation, the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts, and the Oppenstein Brothers Foundation. The Charitable Trusts & Foundations (CT&F) office manages grantmaking for these and other funds, primarily in the Kansas City metro area, supporting various community projects.

• The William T. Kemper Foundation supports projects that catalyze new capabilities and support proven models, mainly in education, civic, and arts sectors.
• The Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts funds high-quality artistic programming, including performing arts, museums, and arts access initiatives.
• The Oppenstein Brothers Foundation focuses on serving low-income populations through social welfare, education, health, civic, and arts programs.

About This Job
The primary purpose is to make grant recommendations aligned with each foundation’s strategy.

Essential Functions

1. Manage relationships with nonprofits, understanding their needs and how they align with foundation priorities; review progress and collaborate on projects.
2. Conduct due diligence on potential grantees, analyzing financials, site visits, and stakeholder conversations to assess outcomes and sustainability.
3. Write clear, concise funding recommendations and present them to foundation committees, addressing questions confidently.
4. Build trusting relationships with nonprofits, foundation members, and community stakeholders; communicate decisions effectively.
5. Represent foundations in civic and philanthropic forums.
6. Develop expertise in assigned areas, cultivate relevant networks, and keep stakeholders informed.
7. Identify solutions for community challenges, ensuring effective program execution.
8. Monitor grants through reports, communication, and site visits.
9. Continuously improve processes through collaboration.
10. Perform additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Deep curiosity and commitment to learning, with analytical skills to understand organizational impact and growth opportunities.
• Ability to interpret nonprofit financials confidently.
• Decisiveness combined with empathy and tact.
• Independent project leadership and stakeholder communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills with diverse partners.
• Knowledge of Kansas City’s civic and nonprofit landscape; interest in arts is a plus.
• Flexibility to align with various philanthropic strategies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, research, and presentation skills.
• Team-oriented with interpersonal skills.
• Valid driver’s license and meeting driving record criteria.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Adaptable, resilient, positive attitude aligned with our culture and values.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook at an intermediate level.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience.
• Preferred: 2+ years in organizational functions like resource allocation, budgeting, governance, or people management.

Additional details about benefits, location, and employment type are included in the original description. The role is based at 1000 Walnut, Kansas City, Missouri, and is full-time.