Los Altos, CA

Program Officer, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

The Organization

Founded in 1964, David and Lucile Packard formalized their passion for philanthropy by establishing the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Focusing on four program areas—conservation and science; population and reproductive health; children, families and communities; and local grantmaking—David and Lucile Packard have created meaningful impact in their local communities and across the globe. Today, their children and grandchildren take an active role in the work of the Foundation and continue the important work begun by David and Lucile.

The Local Grantmaking Program (LGP) builds on the storied legacy of community investment by David and Lucile Packard, Silicon Valley pioneers and works to make the counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey strong and vibrant places for all. LGP partners with over 200 social sector organizations and makes grants that help support the vision of a region with strong families, thriving youth, and vibrant communities. The program also actively invests in strengthening the capacity of funded organizations by making grants that support grantee directed grants, learning and leadership opportunities, and cohort efforts on topics of grantee interest.

Last, LGP makes investments to encourage greater local philanthropy, given their strong belief in the importance of investing in their own backyard. Their 200+ partners include multi-service agencies, shelters, foodbanks, youth development organizations, nonprofits focused on the environment, creative organizations like museums, performing arts groups, and arts councils, community foundations, and others. LGP’s work is carried out by a team of nine professionals that annually make approximately 175 community investments totaling $21.5 million.

For more information on The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, please visit www.packard.org.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Director of Local Grantmaking, the Program Officer (PO) will serve in a new role on the LGP team leading a grantmaking portfolio whose investments advance creative, environmental and civic organizations that connect people with art, nature and their communities, creating a unique sense of place for all. Grants have typically supported performing and visual arts, art service, environmental and conservation, and civic organizations interested in a robust quality of life in communities. This position will primarily lead the cultural and civic investments with potential for increasing grantmaking scope and will coordinate with the Program Officer currently overseeing environmental and conservation contributions.

The Program Officer will lead all aspects of the annual grantmaking for a portfolio of approximately $4M in yearly grants, assessing opportunities, evaluating the impact of investments, and managing a diverse portfolio of recipient organizations. By developing strong working relationships with grantee organizations, the PO will help to assess how the Foundation can respond to grantee needs with its grantmaking tools including capacity building opportunities, mission related investments (typically below market rate loans), and research and convening. The PO will represent the Foundation externally when meeting with current/potential grantees, giving presentations and attending public forums and conferences on topics of relevance. The PO will also prepare materials for the Program Director and present relevant information to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees at board and program committee meetings.

The Program Officer is expected to stay on top of current issues and trends building expertise on topics specifically related to their portfolio and geography, as well as national trends with implications for the portfolio. This role will also nurture, strengthen, and facilitate collaboration and information exchange among nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and funders who support similar issues and organizations. This position will work with the support of a Program Associate and in collaboration with other department Program Officers and provide insight and creativity to how grants can create impact. 2020 represents the start of a refreshed strategy for the creative placemaking portfolio. This is an exciting time to join the LGP team as it begins an expansion of its work, and a particularly exciting opportunity for the Program Officer to significantly help shape a grantmaking strategy, identify new opportunities for investment that respect historical longstanding relationships and a desired signature approach to grantmaking. This position is based in Los Altos, California and requires frequent local travel within the geography in which the Foundation works.

Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate for the Program Officer role will bring a deep commitment to the values of the Foundation and a belief in the vision of the Local Grantmaking Program. They will be an experienced thought leader with a proven track record of success working with social sector organizations in a philanthropic, nonprofit, management consulting, academic, or government context. The Program Officer will use excellent communication and relationship skills to build a network of grantee partners and community leaders around a set of defined outcomes and identify how best to position the Foundation meaningfully within that work. With a track record of results-oriented senior leadership, they will push the LGP forward to greater impact. Additionally, they will demonstrate a deep personal investment in uplifting cultural and civic organizations with an eye toward building and strengthening vibrant and equitable communities.

In addition to the above, the Program Officer, Local Grantmaking Program will possess the following attributes and competencies:

Creative Problem Solving
The Program Officer will draw upon a foundational knowledge of nonprofit organizations to generate strong, creative ideas and innovations that will move the Foundation’s work forward. They are naturally curious and proactively seek out knowledge to further their understanding of an issue. With strong active listening skills, the successful candidate will seek to understand challenges faced in the field and engage as a partner to identify solutions. With an open mindset and a genuine desire to move the field forward, the Program Officer will remain flexible in balancing needs across a range of community-based grantees and will always be looking for new ways for the foundation to have impact.

A Natural Collaborator
The Program Officer will bring a collaborative and curious disposition to their work with a diverse array of constituents. The successful candidate will be a genuine team contributor who can wear multiple hats when needed, keeping both internal and external stakeholders informed using clear, effective communication skills. They are a natural collaborator and consensus builder whose confidence, sense of humor, and humility support their ability to connect with a broad range of colleagues, grantees, and partners.

Community-Centered Leadership
The Program Officer will possess a thorough understanding of the significance of community organizations in producing social change and extensive experience facilitating successful initiatives centered around local initiatives. Leading with humility, the PO will view philanthropy as an important lever but also recognize that community change comes from within. The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep respect for community partners and use their natural curiosity and listening skills to establish trusting relationships with grantees that lead to more impactful outcomes. With a seasoned approach and proven track record of strong program management in the social sector, the Program Officer will be able to deftly act as a facilitator across the field to help the Foundation achieve outsized impact.

Strategic Advocate and Ambassador
The Program Officer must be able to build and sustain excellent relationships at multiple levels internally and externally and must demonstrate emotional intelligence, a high level of cultural fluency and a deep respect for the communities and partners that the Foundation works with. With a genuine commitment to the mission of LGP, the Program Officer will be able to comfortably and humbly represent the Foundation with grantees and external stakeholders and garner support for initiatives. They will be an excellent and persuasive communicator with exceptional written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills, and bring an ability to inspire an atmosphere of collaboration and partnership both inside and outside the Foundation.

How To Apply

Koya Leadership Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been retained for this engagement. Erin Reedy ereedy@koyapartners.com and

Marisa Chock ereedy@koyaconsulting.com are leading this search. To make recommendations or to express your interest in this role please visit this www.koyapartners.com. All nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

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