Program Officer

The Coleman Foundation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Coleman Foundation in Chicago seeks a Program Officer to advance grantmaking across health and rehabilitation, and to co-manage the I/DD portfolio. The role involves working closely with leadership and the program team to drive strategic initiatives and equitable outcomes.

You will represent the Foundation in funder collaboratives, attend conferences with grantees and experts, and contribute to shaping program direction through collaborative partnerships and thoughtful analysis.

Qualifications

• Strong history of work in public health.
• Familiar with I/DD field through work or personal experience.
• Strategic thinker with equity mindset.

Responsibilities

• Make funding recommendations for health and rehabilitation.
• Co-implement and co-manage I/DD grants portfolio.
• Represent the Foundation in funder collaboratives and conferences.
• Collaborate with leadership and program team to advance priorities.

Skills

Public health background

Strategic thinking

Equity mindset

Relationship building

Job description

The Coleman Foundation, Inc. is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1951. The Foundation supports organizations that work in three areas of focus: health and rehabilitation services, intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and entrepreneurship organizations in the Chicago metropolitan area. The current endowment is $200 million and in 2021, the Foundation made 161 grant payments totaling $7.1 million. The Foundation is currently working under a two-year strategic plan and expects learning during that time to influence its program direction and practices. To learn more about the Foundation, visit the website at www.coleman foundation.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Officer works in strategic and creative partnership with the Foundation’s leadership and program team on grantmaking and program initiatives across all funding priorities to advance the Foundation’s goals. The Program Officer is responsible for making funding recommendations for health and rehabilitation, and for co-implementing and co-managing all aspects of the I/DD grants portfolio. The Program Officer represents the Foundation in funder collaboratives, and by attending relevant conferences and other meetings with grantees, issue experts, and the philanthropic community.

ABOUT YOU

You have a strong history of work experience in the public health field. You are familiar with the field of I/DD, either through a personal connection or work experience. You are a strategic thinker with an equity mindset who is committed to reducing health disparities, addressing community needs, and building on assets among people and neighborhoods that are underserved and under-resourced. You approach new situations with curiosity and flexibility. You find enjoyment and fulfillment in a job that requires both the analytic ability to sift through information for what is relevant and important, as well as interpersonal skills to build relationships among a wide array of people throughout the community. You understand the privilege that work in philanthropy confers, prioritize listening and learning, enjoy putting the spotlight on others, and will serve as a champion for the good work happening in the sector.