Performing Arts Fellow (HF)

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation in Menlo Park, California, seeks a Fellow for a three-year term in its Performing Arts Program. The fellowship offers hands-on experience in program development, research, and grantmaking to deepen understanding of philanthropy.

Fellows will work with program staff to implement projects, conduct research, communicate with grantees and partners, and contribute to content creation, retreats, and convenings, reporting to a Performing Arts Program officer.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and contribute to program development for the Performing Arts Program.
• Communicate and engage with foundation staff, grantees, and external partners.
• Participate in critical thinking, writing, and analysis; assist with grantmaking activities and program retreats.
• Create content for program needs and grantee convenings; report to the Program Officer.

Job description

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a nonpartisan, private charitable foundation that advances ideas and supports institutions to promote a better world. For more than 50 years, the foundation has supported efforts to advance education for all, preserve the environment, improve lives and livelihoods in developing countries, promote the health and economic well-being of women, support vibrant performing arts, and make the philanthropy sector more effective. The foundation’s assets are more than $9 billion, with annual awards of grants and gifts totaling over $400 million. A 14-member board of directors provides overall direction for the foundation. For more information about the Hewlett Foundation, please visit www.hewlett.org .

The Performing Arts Program makes grants to ensure people and communities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area are able to engage in artistic experiences that bring joy and meaning to their lives. Our grantmaking embraces a wide range of aesthetic and artistic practices in the areas of dance, media, music, theater, spoken word, and cultural arts. The Program supports a portfolio of roughly 240 organizations with an annual grantmaking budget of approximately $19 million. In addition, it manages the Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions , a five-year initiative in honor the Hewlett Foundation’s 50th anniversary, that supports the creation and premiere of exceptional works of performance.

The Program is comprised of six staff, complemented by staff from the foundation’s communications, grants management, and legal departments. Additional information about the Program is available at https://hewlett.org/programs/performing-arts/ .

ABOUT THE POSITION

This fellowship is a three-year term position. A Hewlett Foundation Fellowship allows an individual to enrich their understanding of philanthropy and of specific subject matter by engaging in all phases of program development and grantmaking. Fellows work closely with program staff to help implement projects and conduct ongoing grantmaking activities.

Within the Performing Arts Program, the Fellow will help implement the recently refreshed strategy. This will entail both assisting with and managing projects to update the Program’s strategies in light of the host of changes facing the region and the arts sector. In close consultation with program staff, the Fellow will conduct research; communicate and engage with foundation staff, grantees, and external partners; and participate in critical thinking, writing, and analysis. The Fellow also will support the Performing Arts Program’s grantmaking activities and other Program needs that may arise, such as Program retreats and grantee convenings, including content creation. The Fellow will report directly to one of three Performing Arts Program Officers.

Please note: while there may be opportunities to return to the Hewlett Foundation later in their career, Fellows are ineligible to apply for posted foundation positions or transition into other roles at the foundation during their 36-month term as well as for a period of one year following the conclusion of the term.