The Organization
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a leading national philanthropic force helping communities create the conditions children need to thrive, is seeking nominations and applications for a Program Officer with a focus on Food, Health & Well-Being (FHWB) programming, to strengthen the foundation’s work in Food Systems. In recent years, the foundation has sharpened its focus on improving conditions for vulnerable children, concentrating on three key factors of success and their intersections: education and learning; food, health and well-being; and family economic security. Reporting to the Director of Food, Health & Well-Being, the Program Officer will provide leadership and oversight for the execution of programs and policy that strive for positive systemic change within communities to ensure educated, healthy kids and secure families nationally, focusing on efforts to transform food systems and their connections to the places children and families live, work, and play, and shaping a national movement for healthy people, healthy farms, healthy communities, and healthy economies.
The FHWB team partners closely with community stakeholders and policy makers to co-create a network of organizations working together to support community-based approaches in key areas of maternal and child health, oral health, breastfeeding, and continued access to good food and active living throughout a child’s early development. Programming efforts focus on building equitable food systems infrastructure and providing places for physical activity, supporting equitable maternal and child health services and improving birth outcomes, and advancing health equity to help vulnerable children and families achieve optimal health. The incoming Program Officer will play a key role in building upon and supporting this work, particularly in ways in which food systems intersect with public health, education, and communities.
Position Overview
The ideal candidate will have a master’s or terminal degree and substantial work experience within or partnered with food production and distribution systems and strong national networks and contacts in related sectors impacting children, such as education and/or public health. S/he/they will screen and recommend grants for funding; build relationships and coalitions nationally; conduct site visits; and build, manage and monitor a portfolio of grant programs and a public policy agenda aligned with the foundation’s strategic framework. The new Program Officer will build and maintain strong, authentic relationships and act as a spokesperson, effectively communicating the foundation’s goal of working with communities to improve the lives of children. S/he/they will have familiarity with public health networks as well as experience developing robust partnerships across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. A deep and comprehensive understanding of program design and development along with local, regional, and national networks of contacts is desired. Successful program officers at the foundation are holistic, entrepreneurial, and interdisciplinary thinkers with an understanding of broad social and economic forces affecting communities and families, demonstrated ability to develop and implement programs, and the skill to facilitate authentic, productive dialogue within diverse communities and settings. S/he/they will possess a strong team orientation, the ability to adapt quickly to change, a natural learning orientation, and have demonstrated success working effectively with persons from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
How To Apply
More information about the W.K. Kellogg Foundation may be found at This search is being led by Carolyn Ho and Melinda Hull of NPAG. Due to the pace of the search, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), and where you learned of the position should be sent to: WKKF-POFHWB@nonprofitprofessionals.com. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.