Program Assistant

Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund - New York, NY; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent philanthropic organization in New York is seeking a Program Assistant to support the coordination and implementation of various grantmaking initiatives. The ideal candidate will manage timelines, provide operational support, and be the first point of contact for program inquiries. This early-career position is perfect for a highly organized and proactive individual passionate about philanthropy and equity-driven work. Competitive salary and direct-hire position with growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Highly organized individual with an interest in philanthropy.
• Ability to manage overlapping timelines and support cross-team coordination.
• Proficient in prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support coordination and implementation of grantmaking initiatives.
• Act as the first point of contact for program-related inquiries.
• Provide operational support to ensure programs run smoothly.

Skills

Program coordination

Grants management

Strong organizational skills

Proactive communication

Job description

The Program Assistant plays an integral role in supporting the coordination, implementation, and ongoing operations of the Illumination Fund’s grantmaking and initiatives across all program areas, including Arts Access, Civic Engagement, Jewish Life, Arts in Health, and Play to Thrive (sports-based youth development). This role serves as the operational hub for program activity, providing front-line coordination, triage, and oversight to ensure programs run smoothly, deadlines are met, and stakeholders receive timely, accurate support. The Program Assistant is often the first point of contact for program-related inquiries and is responsible for exercising judgment in routing requests, prioritizing deadlines, and escalating issues appropriately.

The role combines program coordination, grants management, communications, and administrative support, with particular emphasis on managing overlapping timelines, maintaining strong systems, and supporting cross-team coordination. This is an early-career position well suited to a highly organized, proactive generalist interested in philanthropy, equity-driven work, and complex, multi-program environments.

The Illumination Fund is partnering with Temporary Staffing + Search (TSS) to support this search. This is a direct-hire position with the Illumination Fund.