Foundation Program Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a nonpartisan, global philanthropy committed to helping people, communities, and the planet flourish. With assets of approximately $14 billion and grantmaking of more than $631 million annually, Hewlett supports long-term, trust-based partnerships across the U.S. and globally.
The Foundation is seeking a Program Associate to join its Education Program at an important moment as the team refreshes its strategy and shapes its next chapter of work. As a core member of the team, the Program Associate will provide high-quality grantmaking, operational, and programmatic support, partnering closely with Program Officers, grantees, and colleagues across the Foundation to keep a large and complex portfolio moving effectively. The role calls for exceptional organization and follow-through, sound judgment, initiative, and a collaborative approach. The Program Associate will also have opportunities to deepen their knowledge of the work, contribute perspective, and take ownership of projects that advance the Education Program's evolving strategy.
This is a full-time, non-exempt role based in Menlo Park, California, with a hybrid schedule of 2�3 days per week in the office. The salary range is $100,000�$110,000, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package.
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation invests in creative thinkers and problem solvers working to ensure that people, communities, and the planet can flourish. Together with its partners, the Foundation is harnessing society's collective capacity to solve our toughest problems. A nonpartisan philanthropy, the Hewlett Foundation has made grants in the U.S. and globally for nearly six decades based on an approach that emphasizes long-term support, collaboration, and trust.
Globally, Hewlett makes grants to address both longstanding and emerging challenges through efforts to advance gender equity and governance, reimagine the economy and society, and reduce the growing threat of climate change. U.S. efforts prioritize strengthening democracy, advancing education for all, and supporting community-led conservation. In the San Francisco Bay Area, which Hewlett calls home, the Foundation makes grants to support meaningful artistic experiences in local communities and regional foundations working on critical issues such as housing. Hewlett also invests in advancing racial justice and strengthening the effectiveness of its grantees and philanthropy itself. The Hewlett Foundation has assets of nearly $14 billion and awards more than $631 million in grants annually.
The Foundation has approximately 130 employees in programmatic, operational, and investment roles located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Across the organization, employees engage in meaningful work, have resources for ongoing professional development and learning, and contribute to a collegial and engaging environment where they can thrive. Hewlett is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion as part of its guiding principles and encourages individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply .
ABOUT THE EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Education Program Team seeks to advance public education that provides all students with the knowledge and skills needed to live purposeful lives, be creative problem solvers in their communities, and advance a healthy democracy and vibrant economy. The team is refreshing its strategy in 2026 to build on Hewlett's historic contributions to U.S. education while being adaptive and responsive to changing conditions, contexts, and environments. For example, Hewlett's attention to the deeper learning competencies has successfully expanded the aperture of schooling to include disciplinary knowledge and durable skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and civic reasoning. Growing support for these skills among parents, higher education institutions, and employers has increased the importance of school and community implementation contexts that enable their development.
Building on a foundation of high-quality teaching and learning in schools and classrooms, broader implementation contexts often include learning opportunities with community-based organizations, civic and cultural institutions such as libraries and museums, and career-connected learning in high-demand fields. Enabling and sustaining these efforts at scale will require strategic investments that:

1. Innovate public education to better serve students and families by strengthening the civic, democratic, and economic health of communities, regions, and the larger society.
2. Identify promising efforts to expand the human capital pipeline into education by strengthening and innovating the education professions.
3. Implement research that identifies not only when strategies work, but also for whom and under what conditions, with the goal of expanding policies and practices that enable success for all students.
4. Ensure new technologies such as artificial intelligence are safe, accessible, and open to all, and used to strengthen the work that teachers and students do together.

Additional information about the Education Program is available at: https://www.hewlett.org/programs/education/ .
THE OPPORTUNITY: PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, EDUCATION
The Program Associate will be a core member of the Education team, providing high-quality grantmaking, operational, and programmatic support and helping to ensure the team's work moves forward effectively. As the primary support for Program Officers, the Program Associate will manage the day-to-day administration of a high volume of grants, serve as an important point of contact for grantees, and coordinate across internal teams to navigate grantmaking processes and address questions as they arise. The role requires strong organization and attention to detail alongside sound judgment, proactive communication, and the ability to anticipate needs and move multiple priorities forward.
Beyond the day-to-day management of grantmaking, the Program Associate will have opportunities to engage more deeply in the Education Program's work, including supporting learning and sharing among grantees and contributing to projects connected to the team's evolving strategy. The Program Associate will be encouraged to bring their perspective to the work and take initiative within the team. Over time, they can deepen their knowledge, build strong relationships with grantees, and take ownership of projects based on the team's needs and their own interests and strengths.
The Program Associate will work closely with colleagues across the Education Program and the Foundation, including Grants Management, Finance, Legal, and Communications. Occasional travel may include grantee convenings, program-related activities, and staff retreats.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Grants and Consultant Management

• Manages a high volume of grants throughout the full grant lifecycle, including proposal solicitation and development, review, processing, tracking, reporting, and closeout; maintains accurate grant records and data within the grants management system.
• Provides support and thought partnership on the design and implementation of the Education Strategy, including approaches to supporting learning and sharing among grantees.
• Monitors the reports queue, supports timely report closure, and assists in reviewing budgeted versus actual financial reports.
• Reviews docket materials to ensure accuracy, including final grant amounts.
• Organizes, drafts, and manages Program communications with current and prospective grantees.
• Compiles and maintains relevant grantee information, tracks grants through completion of the payment process, and monitors the annual grants budget for assigned Program Officers.
• Manages grant files and documentation throughout the application process, including Letters of Inquiry, project narratives and budgets, proposals, and award letters, ensuring adherence to foundation policies and applicable requirements.
• Partners with Grants Management and Legal on grant processing and compliance matters, including report and payment scheduling, domestic and foreign tax information, and related grant data.
• Researches and compiles background materials on potential consultants and works with appropriate foundation staff to develop and execute contracts; maintains contract files and serves as a point of contact for consultants on billing, expenses, and foundation processes.

Administrative and Programmatic Support

• Responds to information requests and prepares relevant background information for meetings and presentations.
• Supports meetings by compiling reference materials, preparing agendas, coordinating facilities and catering as needed, synthesizing themes, taking notes, and tracking next steps.
• Coordinates Program events, including logistics for transportation, space, and technology requirements.
• Coordinates complex scheduling involving multiple contacts and organizations.
• Coordinates with appropriate foundation staff to ensure the Program has the supplies, equipment, and space needed to conduct its work.
• Assists in developing presentation materials and coordinating communications with guests.
• Works closely with other Program Associates and the Program Operations Manager to coordinate shared program tasks and scheduling.
• Builds and maintains strong working relationships across the Foundation, particularly with Grants Management, Finance, Legal, and Communications.
• Assists in tracking spending and budgets across the Program.
• Assists with onboarding and offboarding processes for new and departing Program staff.

WHO YOU ARE
You are someone who combines strong execution with curiosity, judgment, and a collaborative approach. You take ownership of complex work, anticipate what needs to happen next, and are equally comfortable working independently and coordinating closely with others. You enjoy being the person who keeps multiple streams of work moving while building the relationships and context needed to contribute beyond the task at hand.
Required Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, ideally with a background in education or the social sciences.
• At least three years of relevant professional experience, including experience effectively supporting multiple individuals.
• Exceptional organizational skills, sharp attention to detail, and persistence in following projects through to completion, balanced with the ability to take direction while exercising independent judgment and initiative.
• A creative, solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving, with timely and practical follow-through.
• Excellent technical skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; experience with document management, collaboration, and workflow tools; and the ability to quickly learn new systems and technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct online research and synthesize relevant information.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities independently, adapt to shifting needs and time-sensitive projects, and meet deadlines.
• Experience serving as an information hub for a team and developing systems to track multiple projects and priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal savvy, flexibility, and professionalism, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse backgrounds, areas of expertise, roles, and working styles.
• A genuine commitment to improving educational outcomes for all students, including those furthest from opportunity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using Salesforce or a comparable grants management platform to administer grants and manage grantee communications.
• Background in the education field and demonstrated interest in the work of the Education Program.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to work from the Hewlett Foundation's Menlo Park, California office 2�3 days per week.
• Ability to travel occasionally for key events, grantee convenings, or team retreats.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods of time and to travel via various modes of transportation for extended periods of time. This role is based in Menlo Park, California. The Foundation has adopted a hybrid work environment with the expectation of two to three days in the office per week.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This is a full-time, non-exempt role. The Hewlett Foundation is committed to providing compensation that is competitive within the philanthropic sector . The Foundation offers a generous total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits . The salary range for this role is $100,000�$110,000. Offers are based on the candidate's years of experience and Hewlett's practice of maintaining salary equity within the Foundation.
TO APPLY
To learn more about the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation , please visit: www.hewlett.org .
This search is being led by Alejandra Villa and Ashley Jones of NPAG . The application deadline is Monday, September 14 . Early submissions are encouraged , and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest and qualifications through NPAG's website .
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation embraces the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, both internally in our hiring process and organizational culture, and externally, in our grantmaking and related practices. We are an equal opp