The Organization
The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund strives to increase access and opportunity for all New Yorkers and foster healthy and vibrant communities. The fund uses an equity lens to develop initiatives and to issue grants, driven by the principle that everyone should have access to positive and enriching opportunities that define a full range of human experience and that circumstances of birth should not limit choices or short circuit success. The Fund’s current programs include Arts in Health, Access to the Arts, Civic Engagement, and Jewish Life.
Position Overview
The Program Officer, reporting to the Executive Director, will be responsible for coordinating and implementing a wide range of programmatic, operational, communications, and logistical duties to support ongoing and new programs, grants and other foundation activities. The Program Officer, one of the Fund’s three staff members, is the sole staff member fully dedicated to program operations and support functions, and therefore will be tasked with a high volume of proposals throughout the entire grants process, as well as inquiries and projects.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Support
- Support Executive Director with programs and initiatives (proposal review, background research, meetings, site visits, recommendations, grant monitoring and evaluation, program analysis, reporting).
- Provide assistance to grantees and ensure completion and accuracy of funding applications, progress reports and other relevant materials.
- Conduct background research on prospective grantees.
- Draft proposal write-ups for internal review.
- Participate in meetings with current and potential grantees and partners and prepare notes.
- Serve as liaison with specific grantees.
- Conduct and synthesize research in connection with current and new initiatives.
- Stay current in relevant news and trends in the arts in health field and New York City’s arts and cultural sector.
- Respond to inquiries regarding current programs, opportunities, and other general questions.
- Coordinate special grants and programs.
Grant Monitoring
- Monitor grants to evaluate their effectiveness in meeting their stated goals and conformance with grant requirements. Review reports, financial information, and other communication. Perform related follow-up.
- Review and summarize grant progress reports (program and financial). Follow-up with grantees to ask clarification questions, as needed.
- Schedule, coordinate and participate in meetings with grantees, including site visits, partnership meetings and check-ins.
- Summarize and synthesize program evaluations.
Communications Support
- Assist Executive Director and President in the drafting and preparation of presentations, speeches, and reports.
- Develop communications/PR materials with PR consultants and coordinate ongoing communications support and projects.
- Draft write-ups and entries for the foundation’s website and work in partnership with Office and Grants Manager on website and online presence.
- Other communications and projects as needed.
Events Coordination
- Coordinate special grantee meetings and convenings.
- Assist with foundation and partner events.
Other Support
- Develop background materials for meetings.
- Implement follow-up from meetings.
- Draft e-mails and correspondence.
- Work closely with the Office and Grants Manager to ensure accurate records and track status of proposals and reports.
- “All hands on deck” when office needs arise.
- Special projects, as assigned.
Qualifications, Skills and Abilities
- B.A. and minimum 5 years of work experience in the foundation, nonprofit or public sectors, with a strong preference for individuals who have worked within foundations or other grantmaking entities
- The Illumination Fund’s initiatives span multiple program areas and evolve over time, sometimes including partnerships with public agencies. The Fund’s current flagship programs connect the arts and health, including mental health in New York City communities. It is important for the candidate to have a base in one or more of the foundation’s programmatic areas – preferably arts or health – with the flexibility and demonstrated ability to learn new areas, and to be from New York City and/or know the city well.
- Experience in program administration, grantmaking, management and assessment
- Outstanding analytical, quantitative, and qualitative research, and critical thinking skills
- Excellent written communications skills
- Excellent project management, multi-tasking, and organizational skills with special attention to details and follow-through ability
- Flexibility and responsiveness as circumstances change
- Must be able to read, understand, summarize, and synthesize a wide range of materials in order to make informed judgments about their nature
- Excellent computer skills and proficiency with MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from diverse communities and from the philanthropic, nonprofit, and public sectors
- Discretion to thoughtfully support the Executive Director and President with high-profile relationships
How To Apply
Send cover letter and resume by email to Rick Luftglass, Executive Director, at info@lmtif.org. No phone calls please.