The Organization
Organization Information
Since our founding in 1973, we have had a history of supporting the birth and growth of social justice movements in the U.S.—from women’s safety and reproductive justice, to economic justice, child care and the re-building of the Gulf Coast. The Ms. Foundation has consistently pioneered and supported cutting-edge strategies within and across feminist and social justice movements. We have been willing to take risks to support emerging issues, identify gaps in resources, and inform the fields of philanthropy and social justice to create inclusive and sustainable social change for all. Our grants — paired with skills-building, networking and other strategic opportunities — enable organizations to advance women’s grassroots solutions across race and class, and to build social movements within and across three areas: Economic Justice, Safety and Women’s Health. We strive to promote organizations committed to feminist movement-building.
Our mission is to build women’s collective power In the U.S. to advance equity and justice for all. We achieve our mission by investing in, and strengthening the capacity of women-led movements to advance meaningful social, cultural and economic change in the lives of women.
Our vision is a just and safe world where power and possibility are not limited by gender, race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or age. We believe that equity and inclusion are the cornerstones of a true democracy in which the worth and dignity of every person are valued.
We accomplish our mission and make our vision a reality by actively living our core values and holding each other accountable for them:
Integrity: We believe in holding ourselves responsible and accountable for all that we say in order to build an aligned, principled and powerful movement for gender equity.
Trust and respect: We believe in the truth that comes from those we work with and those most impacted by the issues affecting their communities. We believe in honoring their voices and supporting their leadership.
Interconnectedness: We believe that by achieving equity for women of color, we achieve equity for all. Given the complexity of the issues we face, we are committed to addressing issues holistically, understanding that we need to build power and alignment across multiple movements and sectors to win the battles we are facing.
Social justice: We believe that structural changes are needed in order to increase opportunities for those who are least well off politically, socially and economically.
Position Overview
The Program Associate, Safety, Health, and Economic Justice (SHE) works closely with the Vice President of Strategy and Programs to provide both programmatic and administrative support for the program team. In addition, the Program Associate may manage a limited number of direct grantee relationships, including soliciting and reviewing proposals, monitoring grants, and conducting site visits under the guidance of the Vice President of Strategy and Programs or as assigned. The Program Associate brings a broad understanding of feminism, gender, racial and LGBTQ justice movements, and intersections with other social justice movements.
Specific Responsibilities/Duties
Administrative and Program Support:
- Manage administrative tasks such as organizing program files, reference materials, and mailing lists, retrieving information from GIFTS and other databases.
- Handle invoices, payment reconciliation, and expense reporting as assigned.
- Assist team with planning and coordinating meetings, travel, workshops and convenings, and making logistical arrangements as assigned.
- Manage consultant contracts.
- Maintain grants database, budget spreadsheets and grant calendars, and coordinate grant processes for the team.
- Support strategic planning and learning processes, including through research, analysis, preparation of materials, and notetaking.
Program and Grants Management:
- Participate in grantmaking process and design, including initial screening of potential grantees, analyzing background information; soliciting and developing request for proposals, preparing grant recommendations; serving as a focal point on select grantee relationships and conducting site visits.
- Liaise with Finance and Administration to ensure smooth grants management and work flow in the due diligence process.
- Liaise with grantee organizations on issues related to the grants process, due diligence requests, reporting and other data gathering for the program.
- Serve as a compliance checkpoint to ensure grantmaking stays within yearly budgets.
- Conduct research related to field developments, opportunities related to grantmaking, and other projects requested by the Vice President of Strategy and Programs.
- Assist the team as needed with tracking grantee work and outcomes, including reviewing grant reports, participating in meetings with grantees, and reading and tracking news and research related to grantees, assigned.
Communications:
- Track and maintain grantee progress reports and victories for reporting and communications.
- Assist in the preparation of educational materials and other information, including presentation slides, newsletters and the annual report.
- Participate in team presentations as needed.
Qualifications
- Minimum of two years of experience in program administration, financial management, community organizing or grassroots advocacy.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to summarize, synthesize, and revise documents.
- Ability to effectively understand and manage financial information, budgets and databases.
- Highly proficient with Internet and Windows-based technology (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Experience with MicroEdge GIFTS or other project management and grants management software a plus.
- Ability to work under pressure, take ownership of projects, and hold oneself accountable for results.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills, and willingness to ask questions and seek assistance.
- Ability to manage relationships with Foundation colleagues, grantees and other stakeholders.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible working style that supports positive partnerships and collegial relationships.
- Ability to travel for Foundation and external events as needed.
Institutional Values Alignment:
- Commitment to the Foundation’s mission and vision and to working with diverse communities toward women’s safety, health and economic justice
- Demonstrated commitment to, and accountability around actively living the Foundation’s values of integrity, trust and respect, interconnectedness, and social justice – throughout internal and external communications and relationships, work, and decision-making
- Ability to build collegial, productive relationships with team members, grantees, donors, peer funders, volunteers, and institutional partners, through the lens of our organizational values
Compensation
The annual salary range for this position is commensurate with qualifications and experience. We also offer a generous and comprehensive range of benefits.
How To Apply
Applications should include your résumé and a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, and where you learned of the position. Please submit these materials to: jobs@ms.foundation.org.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
To learn more about the Ms. Foundation for Women, please visit: www.forwomen.org.