Program Officer, Community Programs

Arts Science & Cultural Council of Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Arts & Science Council (ASC) in Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, is seeking a Program Officer, Community Programs, to lead grant portfolios and advance high-impact community initiatives across our arts, science, and cultural programs.

The role oversees lifecycles, collaborates with the Culture Blocks team, and supports equitable distribution of resources to strengthen community programming. Strong evaluation and communication skills are required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of program management, grantmaking, arts administration in nonprofit settings.
• Experience in program evaluation and community programming.
• Experience with artists or cultural organizations preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full portfolio of Community Programs including Venue Access Grants and Community Connector Grants.
• Design, manage, and refine program guidelines, criteria, timelines, and reporting processes.
• Lead all grant lifecycle phases: outreach, applications, review, award, contracting, reporting.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance on eligibility and best practices.
• Recruit and train panelists; synthesize feedback and prepare leadership recommendations.
• Monitor grantee progress and ensure compliance; collaborate with ASC Culture Blocks.

Skills

Program management

Grantmaking

Arts administration

Community programming

Spanish

Education

Nonprofit program management experience

Tools

Blackbaud Grantmaking

Job description

Description

OUR MISSION | REMARKABLE IMPACT

Remarkable impact is the heart of Foundation For The Carolinas’ mission, and the driving force behind our mission is the collective impact of thousands of nonprofits, families, companies, and organizations who partner with us to amplify the power of giving. The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is a nonprofit organization committed to creating a vibrant cultural ecosystem in Charlotte-Mecklenburg through investment in arts, science, and history. As a catalyst for cultural growth, ASC empowers local creatives, supports innovative programming, and enhances community engagement. Its mission is to foster community retention, drive economic growth, and enhance residents' quality of life.

As both a funder and fundraiser, ASC offers grants, manages public art, supports community-led programs like Culture Blocks, and provides educational programming for PreK–12 students. ASC’s work aims to remove barriers, ensure cultural access for all, and promote upward mobility.

HOW YOU’LL ADVANCE OUR MISSION | POSITION OVERVIEW

The Program Officer, Community Programs is a full-time, exempt position responsible for leading and managing ASC’s community-focused grant programs, including Venue Access Grants and Community Connector Grants, as well as supporting additional programmatic initiatives as assigned.

Under the supervision of the Vice President of Community & Artist Support, this role will play a critical part in advancing accessible, high-impact community programming across Mecklenburg County. The Program Officer will oversee the full lifecycle of assigned grant programs, serve as the primary point of contact for applicants and grantees, and ensure that funded activities are delivered with quality, integrity, and community relevance.

This position requires strong experience in program observation, evaluation, and feedback, including attending funded programs and providing constructive, actionable guidance to grantees to strengthen their offerings over time. The Program Officer will also collaborate closely with ASC’s Culture Blocks team to align investments, maximize community impact, and ensure funding is distributed equitably and without duplication across programs.

YOUR UNIQUE IMPACT | ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Grant Program Leadership & Management

• Oversee the full portfolio of assigned Community Programs, including Venue Access Grants, Community Connector Grants, dotted line accountability to Festival funding opportunities as well as additional initiatives as assigned
• Design, manage, and refine program guidelines, criteria, timelines, and reporting processes to align with ASC’s strategic goals
• Lead all phases of the grant lifecycle including outreach, application development, review coordination, award recommendations, contracting, and reporting
• Provide clear guidance and technical assistance to applicants and grantees on program expectations, eligibility, and best practices
• Facilitate fair and transparent review processes, including recruiting and training panelists, synthesizing panel feedback, and preparing recommendations for leadership and board approval
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of grant agreements, payments, and compliance requirements
• Monitor grantee progress and performance through reporting, communication, and documentation

Program Observation, Evaluation & Learning

• Attend and observe funded programs across Mecklenburg County to assess program delivery, quality, and community impact
• Provide constructive, actionable feedback to grantees to support continuous improvement in program design and execution
• Identify strengths and areas for growth in funded programming, with attention to accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and community engagement
• Track and analyze program data to assess outcomes, identify trends, and inform future program design and funding strategies
• Contribute to the development of evaluation frameworks and tools that strengthen program quality and impact

Community Engagement & Cross-Program Alignment

• Build and maintain strong relationships with artists, nonprofits, community partners, and cultural leaders
• Partner with the Culture Blocks team to align funding strategies, coordinate outreach, and ensure equitable distribution of resources without duplication across programs
• Identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration between ASC-funded initiatives and community-led programming
• Represent ASC at community meetings, workshops, and events

Strategic Contribution & Organizational Support

• Contribute to departmental planning and strategic initiatives within Community & Artist Support
• Support storytelling and reporting efforts by translating program outcomes into clear qualitative and quantitative insights

Requirements

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR SUCCESS: QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• 5+ years of experience in program management, grantmaking, arts administration, or community-based work within a nonprofit setting
• Demonstrated experience in program evaluation, facilitation, and/or community programming
• Experience working with artists, cultural organizations, or community-based initiatives strongly preferred
• Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred

Community Awareness & Skills

• Strong understanding of the Mecklenburg County cultural landscape and community needs
• Ability to engage diverse communities with cultural awareness and humility
• Commitment to equitable access to arts, science, and cultural programming
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to provide clear, constructive feedback in a professional and supportive manner
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously
• Strategic thinking and attention to detail

Technology Proficiency

• Proficient in MS Office Suite
• Experience with grant management systems (ASC uses Blackbaud Grantmaking) preferred

Additional Qualifications

• Strong commitment to service and public impact
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across teams
• Interest in program quality, continuous improvement, and community impact measurement