The Organization – Crown Family Philanthropies
Crown Family Philanthropies (“CFP” or the “Foundation”) is the philanthropic division of Henry Crown and Company (see below) and supports the Crown Family’s philanthropic and grantmaking endeavors. In 2009, after more than 60 years of family grantmaking under the name Arie and Ida Crown Memorial, CFP was developed to represent and facilitate an array of family grantmaking practices. Today the legacy of Arie and Ida Crown lives on in the work continued by their descendants, who remain dedicated to the Jewish tradition of tikun olam, or “repairing the world.” Supported by a professional staff, CFP is led by more than 50 family members across multiple generations who come together to set strategy and make grantmaking decisions.
Position Overview
Crown Family Philanthropies seeks its first Equity Lead to ensure the Foundation’s internal operations and grantmaking processes are consistently implemented through an equitable, inclusive framework.
About the Equity Lead
- The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, intercultural awareness, collaboration, and community-building. Significant experience in the non-profit and/or philanthropic sector(s), with particular knowledge of the Chicagoland community, is a plus.
- Successful candidates will demonstrate an intellectual curiosity and appetite for learning and the project management skills to move forward complex initiatives with multiple stakeholders. They will have the gravitas and insight to facilitate challenging conversations among internal leadership, with the practical, compassionate approach of an experienced changemaker. They will understand and respect the critical need for discretion and humility when working for and representing a private family foundation.
- The Equity Lead will report to the Director of Operations and work closely with the Foundation President and other Foundation leaders to ensure that considerations of diversity, equity, and inclusion shape CFP’s operations, including, but not limited to, grantmaking practices and strategies.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Equity in Grantmaking:
- Lead a comprehensive assessment of current CFP grantmaking practices and work with community partners across CFP’s six program areas.
- Work with CFP program staff as they develop, implement, and expand grantmaking strategies that reflect and embody CFP’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as community building and investment that confronts and dismantles systems of discrimination, violence, racism, and anti-Semitism.
- Work with CFP program and operations staff to ensure development and implementation of equitable grantmaking processes, including the application of an equitable lens on due diligence review and compliance, identification and implementation of partnerships, data collection, and impact assessment.
- Work with CFP engagement staff to ensure that DEI best practices continue to inform and guide their personal advisory services; collaborate with the engagement team to develop learning opportunities to promote equity, counter racism and discrimination, and ensure equitable approaches to family-based philanthropic efforts.
- Stay abreast of and engaged in best practices to further DEI commitments in the philanthropic and social sectors; internally advance best practices and immediate needs around equitable grantmaking.
CFP Team and Culture:
- Serve as the staff lead for the foundation’s DEI committee; build upon existing structure to ensure the committee’s efficient and inclusive operations.
- In coordination with senior foundation leadership and the organization’s DEI committee, advance CFP’s efforts to foster an inclusive and equitable work culture.
- Partner with the CFP President, Director of Operations, and senior leadership to design and implement an inclusive, equitable internal CFP talent plan.
- Build, refine, and implement applicable CFP staff training opportunities to bring an equity lens to the Foundation’s grantmaking work, team building, and culture.
- As applicable, serve as CFP’s liaison to HCC/CCI on matters related to DEI.
- Serve as a key thought partner and advisor to the CFP President to help advance operational and personnel practices and policies through an equitable, inclusive lens.
Core Competencies (Experience and Skills)
- Minimum of seven years’ progressive experience in a foundation, non-profit, and/or government agency working on diversity, equity, inclusion, intercultural awareness, and/or community-building.
- Minimum of five years’ progressive experience leading change management in the non-profit, philanthropic, government or corporate sector.
- Minimum of five years’ progressive experience in successful problem-solving and project management, including work with multiple groups of stakeholders at various levels of power, agency, and involvement.
- Demonstrated ability to set clear goals and develop and implement metrics to measure outcomes.
- Demonstrated work with senior leaders (close work with C-level executives and/or Board members a plus), including relationship management and meeting facilitation.
- Demonstrated ability to act with humility, sensitivity, and discretion.
- Experience as a highly collaborative team player who enjoys engaging with colleagues.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills including ability to listen and synthesize multiple inputs with sensitivity, diplomacy and professionalism.
- Superb organizational skills including ability to prioritize agendas and manage conflicting needs; ability to respond flexibly to shifting priorities.
- Growth mindset with an eagerness to receive feedback and seek opportunities to grow.
Compensation and Benefits
Henry Crown and Company (HCC) and the Crown Family Philanthropies division offer a generous compensation package that includes health insurance, 401(K), paid time off, pension, and profit sharing. Salary will be discussed in the first interview.
Additional Information
Henry Crown and Company and the Crown Family Philanthropies division are committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals experiencing disability and BIPOC are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. HCC is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Work Environment
Henry Crown and Company and CFP currently operate in a hybrid work environment, with staff expected to work in the downtown Chicago office a minimum of two days per week.
About Henry Crown and Company
Henry Crown and Company is a Chicago-based, privately-held operation [not a 501(c)(3)] that manages business interests and coordinates investments falling into four broadly-defined categories: publicly traded securities, real estate, investment funds, and privately held operating companies. The corporate office employs approximately 200 professionals in the areas of investment management, corporate development, accounting, tax, human resources, information technologies, legal, family services, philanthropy, and administration.
How To Apply