Program Officer (GSF)

GENERAL SERVICE FOUNDATION; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement benefits

Vacation & holidays

Job summary

The General Service Foundation in Berkeley is seeking a Program Officer to support grantmaking for Building Strong Movements. You will work with the program team to shape and implement grants in reproductive and economic justice, expanding to broader movement-building initiatives.

You will oversee grant cycles, engage grantees, analyze trends, and collaborate with funders. A strong background in social justice advocacy, nonprofit experience, and a commitment to the foundation's mission are

Qualifications

• 5+ years professional experience in nonprofit, philanthropy, or social justice work.
• Strong credibility as a social justice advocate and experience building power and voice among marginalized communities.
• Understanding of philanthropy’s role in advancing social justice and experience with Black-led organizing or healing justice preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all stages of grant-making from solicitation through assessment, recommendation, and presentation to the Board of Directors.
• Monitor grants through site visits and reports to Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Develop and refine grantmaking systems, policies, and practices.
• Provide technical assistance to grantees and connect them to funding opportunities.

Skills

Social justice advocacy

Power building

Nonprofit collaboration

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

The General Service Foundation ("GSF") is a private grant making family foundation that dedicates all of its resources to bringing about a more just and sustainable world. Founded and endowed by Clifton and Margaret Musser, the General Service Foundation has been committed to social justice since 1946. We believe everyone should have a chance to enjoy life with dignity, and every family should have the opportunity to thrive. GSF works with nonprofit organizations as a funder and partner. These organizations are embedded in grassroots communities, networked with one another, and connected to larger movements for a decisive impact. They’re pioneers, breaking new trails toward social justice with women, people of color and people with low incomes leading the way. For more information, please check out: http://generalservice.org .

We take a collaborative, integrated, and active approach to our grantmaking. We have a strong commitment to racial and gender justice and highly value having a diverse team.

Description

The Program Officer will be joining the program team and will be responsible for supporting GSF’s grantmaking for a Building Strong Movements portfolio. This portfolio builds on current grantmaking in reproductive and economic justice, and in 2018 will expand to include a broader range of movement and power building organizations. This position offers an opportunity to help craft and implement the vision for this portfolio with the program team. GSF currently has a staff of four, and this position will be based in the Berkeley office. The Program Officer will also contribute to the Foundation’s overall strategies, activities and initiatives in a highly integrated work environment. S/he is a highly motivated, problem solving, solution-oriented self-starter who can hit the ground running.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee all stages of grant-making, from solicitation through assessment, recommendation, and presentation to the Board of Directors

Monitor approved grants through site visits and reports on grantee progress to Executive Director and GSF Board of Directors

Contribute to the development and refinement of the Foundation’s systems, policies, and practices related to grantmaking and other organizational issues and practices

Ongoing communication with and support for grantees, including technical assistance to grantees and grant-seeking organizations, providing advice on other funding opportunities; referrals to consultants and other providers to address organizational needs; arranging for grantees to have broader exposure within the funding community; and providing other assistance that may help grantees carry out their work successfully

Build and maintain relationships with other funders, participate in strategic philanthropic affinity groups, and represent the foundation at conferences and meetings

Track information and analyze trends, networks, and movements and where GSF’s funding priorities intersect, and share information with GSF colleagues

Be able to take on other responsibilities as needed and wear multiple hats Qualifications

5+ years professional experience

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Strong credibility as a social justice advocate and experience in building power and voice among marginalized communities

Previous experience working on Black-led organizing efforts and/or a healing justice background preferred

Demonstrated commitment to GSF’s mission and an alignment with our organizational values

An understanding of/ and a perspective on the role of philanthropy in advancing social justice

• Experience working in non-profit, activist, or community-based organizations, and/orphilanthropic institutions

Core Competencies

Demonstrated ability to plan and think strategically, set and achieve realistic goals, and objectives, and balance multiple priorities

Strong intersectional analysis of gender and race

A belief in the power of social movements to bring about social, political, economic, and cultural change

Understanding of the role of philanthropy in advancing social justice

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, listening skills, and judgement

Skilled at managing complex field dynamics at both individual and organizational levels

Appreciation of the power dynamics that shape grantmaking relationships and a commitment to building trust, two-way accountability, and mutual respect with grantee organizations

Ability to assess the leadership, track record, and capacity of social sector organizations and collaboratives

Excellent judgment, resourcefulness, and problem-solving skills

Ability to analyze, synthesize, and present data

Able to build strong internal and external relationships to ensure shared learnings and strategic alignment

Comfort with ambiguity and willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changes in the foundation’s various initiatives

Ability to work both collaboratively and independently; willing to help make a small organization run effectively

Proactive and self-motivated work style, with close attention to follow-up and detail and ability to manage several tasks simultaneously

Ability to handle confidential information with complete discretion

Attributes

• Shares GSF’s vision and is inspired by the Foundation’s mission
• Comfortable with multitasking and supporting multiple priorities for one or more individuals on the team
• Flexible and able to cope skillfully with unexpected events
• Collaborative: establishes productive, positive, and cooperative relationships within the organization, with grantees and other partners; resolves conflicts constructively
• Warm, friendly, with a sense of fun and humor; s/he is excited to work with a team who hold each other in a respectful and affectionate regard

Benefits and Compensation

GSF provides competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement benefits, generous sick days, holidays, and vacation time, and a pleasant working environment. The Foundation employs a small staff and is dedicated to promoting an environment of collaboration and workplace flexibility. GSF deeply values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of individuals of underrepresented backgrounds, including gender, race, religion, and sexual orientation.

General Service Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse group of applicants.