Program Associate, Animal Welfare

EPIP; Eden Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 79,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Strong medical, dental, and vision benefits

Reduced work week

Minimum of four weeks of paid time off

401(k) matching and employer-paid financial planning resources

Job summary

A nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare seeks a Program Associate to support grantmaking and administrative tasks. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented with a commitment to equity and have experience in program administration. This hybrid role, based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, offers competitive compensation in line with experience and skills, emotional support, and numerous benefits including tuition reimbursement and a retirement matching plan.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in program or grant administration preferred.
• Experience using grantmaking or data systems is a plus.
• Familiarity with evaluation and data analysis is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the domain’s grantmaking calendar.
• Assist applicants with MACP’s grantmaking systems.
• Support the development of the domain operating budget.
• Organize meetings and prepare materials.
• Conduct research and synthesize findings.
• Manage internal tracking tools for grants and budgets.

Skills

Highly organized

Detail-oriented

Excellent communication skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving abilities

Commitment to equity

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor's degree

Tools

Fluxx

Job description

POSITION PROFILE – PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, ANIMAL WELFARE

kpCompanies is leading the search for a detail-oriented and mission-driven Program Associate, Animal Welfare to join the team at Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP). This role plays a vital part in supporting MACP’s philanthropic work dedicated to improving the wellbeing of animals and fostering compassion across communities.

The Program Associate will provide administrative, programmatic, and grantmaking support to the Animal Welfare domain—helping ensure effective coordination, data management, and impact tracking across multiple programs. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working collaboratively, thrives in an environment of purpose and precision, and is inspired by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

THE ORGANIZATION – MARAGRET A. CARGILL PHILANTRHOPIES (MACP)

Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) is guided by a simple yet powerful vision: to provide meaningful assistance and support to society, the arts, and the environment.

The Animal Welfare domain focuses on the wellbeing of domestic animals and injured wild animals, and on increasing empathy toward animals among children and adults. The domain’s three programs include:

Companion Animals (CA): Supports communities and shelters to improve the quality of life for companion animals.

Empathy & Compassion (E&C) for Animals: Fosters empathy and compassion so people become good stewards of animals.

Wildlife Rehabilitation (WR): Supports grantees working to reduce harm and improve the quality of life of injured wild animals.

Across all areas, MACP’s team is deeply committed to supporting grantees and their work with communities, advancing diversity, and promoting equity and justice in the field of animal welfare.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Associate, Animal Welfare plays a vital support role within MACP’s Animal Welfare domain, contributing to the organization’s philanthropic goals through precise coordination, research, and collaboration.

The Program Associate provides administrative, grantmaking and evaluation support to the Program Director and Program Officers, ensuring data integrity, effective communication, and timely completion of key processes. This individual will also contribute to learning and evaluation practices, including data analysis, insight tracking, and process improvement initiatives.

This position is ideal for a professional who enjoys supporting mission-driven initiatives, managing complex details, and continuously improving systems and processes that help advance MACP’s animal welfare mission.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain the domain’s grantmaking calendar to ensure it helps meet key milestones and reporting deadlines.
• Assist applicants and grantees with MACP’s grantmaking systems (Fluxx) and related processes.
• Support development and management of the domain operating budget and quarterly leadership reports using systems such as Fluxx, Adaptive, and Qlik.
• Assemble and organize high-quality grant and program materials for Board and Program Committee meetings.
• Organize and coordinate meetings and events (on-site and off-site), take meeting notes, and prepare materials for team and domain-level meetings.
• Conduct research and synthesize findings into written briefs for program officers.
• Manage and analyze internal tracking tools to ensure accurate, up-to-date information on grants, budgets, payments, and reporting metrics.
• Collaborate with communications staff on internal and external team updates.
• Support other Program Associates and domains as needed to balance workloads across teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying process efficiencies and recommending system enhancements.
• Handle correspondence with grantees and other external parties, including consultants, as assigned.
• Assist with high quality mapping and data visualization that supports proposals and other initiatives.
• Support team trackers, such as grants management, scenario planning, grantmaking, grantee check-ins, travel, payments, and reporting tools.

Grant Administration and Evaluation Support

• Engage with applicants and grantees to facilitate timely and accurate completion of applications, grant agreements, and reports.
• Maintain accurate and complete electronic records per MACP’s retention policies.
• Input and update grantee information, proposals, payments, and reporting requirements in Fluxx.
• Coordinate grant payments with grantees, Grants Management, and Finance teams.
• Export and analyze data; prepare reports as needed in collaboration with evaluation and learning staff.
• Manage the Companion Animal service data spreadsheet, ensuring data collection, cleaning, and analysis.
• Support the domain’s learning practice, including impact tracking, sensemaking, and knowledge management.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in program or grant administration (nonprofit or philanthropy preferred).
• Experience using grantmaking or data systems (Fluxx preferred).
• Familiarity with evaluation, data analysis, or learning support a plus.

Skills & Attributes

• Highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented; comfortable managing multiple priorities.
• Flexible and adaptable, with a growth mindset and ability to navigate change.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; enjoys working as part of a team.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural sensitivity.
• Integrity and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving and systems-thinking capabilities.
• Deep interest in philanthropy and animal welfare.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND SCHEDULE

Hybrid work schedule based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Expected in-office three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and either Monday or Thursday) with remote work up to two days weekly.

Fridays are fully remote.

Shared work hours: Monday–Thursday, 9am–3pm; Friday, 9am–12pm.

Occasional flexibility for events, meetings, or deadlines.

Primarily sedentary office role with typical office mobility and computer use.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

MACP has identified a salary range of $79,000- $88,000 for this role. The actual starting salary will be commensurate with years, breadth, and depth of relevant experience, education, certifications, credentials, special skills, accomplishments, and other factors relevant to the position.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Professional development benefits, including opportunities to participate in relevant membership organizations and external learning activities.
• Tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing college or advanced degrees or a certificate.
• Strong medical, dental, and vision benefits for staff and their dependents with competitive monthly premiums and flexible spending accounts.
• Reduced work week for all staff, with half-day closures on Fridays, year-round.
• Minimum of four weeks of paid time off, in addition to a week-long year-end office closure.
• Retirement programs, including 401(k) matching at 5%, with access to employer-paid financial planning resources.
• In addition, the Organization may provide a discretionary contribution to employees’401(k) plan that vests over a five-year period.
• Matching gift program for charitable donations.
• Additional benefits such as an employee assistance plan, an onsite fitness room, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement.

We know that engaging, building trust, and making a difference relies on the collective wisdom and strength of many perspectives. Diverse perspectives are essential for advancing our mission and we welcome individuals from all backgrounds who bring various lived experiences and professional expertise, and who share a commitment to our donors’ vision of providing meaningful assistance and support to society, the arts, and the environment. We are proud to welcome a diverse mix of candidates and to be an equal opportunity employer.

All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, familial status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, public assistance, or any other legally protected characteristic. We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss and offer reasonable accommodations.