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Foundation Program Officer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

McLaren

Philanthropy Officer Major Gifts

Petoskey, MI · On-site

$70K - $91K/yr

Coordinates program-specific development strategies and activities to ensure their integration into the overall foundation program. * Makes effective use of the prospect management database and other ...

Cleary University

Chief Financial Officer

Howell, MI · On-site

In recent years, Cleary has strengthened its financial foundation, doubled enrollment, and ... National expansion of Cleary's accelerated programs in several major metropolitan cities and ...

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All JobsFoundation Program Officer JobsFoundation Program Officer Jobs in Michigan

Foundation Program Officer information

See Michigan salary details

$29.2K

$87.5K

$135.5K

How much do foundation program officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for foundation program officer in Michigan is $87,477.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,300.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges a foundation program officer faces when managing multiple grant portfolios?

Foundation Program Officers often juggle several grant portfolios simultaneously, each with unique objectives, timelines, and stakeholders. A common challenge is balancing the need to maintain close relationships with grantees while ensuring compliance with the foundation’s guidelines and strategic priorities. Effective time management, strong communication skills, and adaptability are essential for tracking progress, evaluating outcomes, and reporting to leadership. Additionally, officers must frequently collaborate with colleagues across departments to align program efforts and maximize impact.

What is a foundation program officer?

Foundation Program Officers are professionals who oversee grantmaking programs at philanthropic foundations. They are responsible for researching, evaluating, and recommending grants, as well as managing relationships with grantees and ensuring that funded projects align with the foundation's mission. Program Officers often monitor the progress of funded initiatives and assess their impact. Their role is critical in helping foundations make strategic decisions and maximize their positive social impact.

What is the difference between Foundation Program Officer vs Grant Coordinator?

AspectFoundation Program OfficerGrant Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree; experience in nonprofit or grant managementBachelor's degree; experience in grants or project coordination
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, foundations, grant-making entitiesNonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in foundations and philanthropic sectorsAcross various sectors including nonprofits and government
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The Foundation Program Officer and Grant Coordinator roles both involve managing grants and supporting nonprofit initiatives. However, the Foundation Program Officer typically oversees grant programs, develops funding strategies, and builds relationships with grantees, while the Grant Coordinator focuses on the administrative aspects of grant processing, application review, and compliance. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are found in nonprofit and foundation settings, but the Program Officer has a broader strategic and relationship management focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a foundation program officer?

To thrive as a Foundation Program Officer, you typically need a background in nonprofit management, grantmaking, or a related field, often supported by a bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with grant management software, CRM systems, and evaluation tools is essential for tracking funding and measuring impact. Strong communication, relationship-building, and analytical skills help you collaborate with partners and assess program effectiveness. These capabilities ensure effective resource allocation, successful program outcomes, and positive stakeholder engagement.

What does a foundation program officer do?

A foundation program officer researches funding proposals and decides who receives grants from the foundation. In this position, you work with nonprofit organizations to get information about their charity projects and other forms of philanthropy. You read proposals, perform additional research on projects and organizations, and make decisions about which grant request to fund. Some foundations focus on a specific cause, such as community development, while others grant funding to projects that the program officer thinks could have the most significant impact. Some foundations award academic scholarships instead of financing charitable projects. Program officers also get donor input to help make their funding decisions.

More about Foundation Program Officer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Foundation Program Officer jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Foundation Program Officer jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Foundation Program Officer jobs in Michigan?

For Foundation Program Officer jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Foundation Program Officer jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Foundation Program Officer jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Foundation Program Officer jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Foundation Program Officer job openings:

Foundation Program Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Foundation Program Officer job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,477 per year, or $42.1 per hour.

University-Wide Philanthropy Officer - Liberal Arts

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Wayne State University rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

289th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Job Purpose
Responsible for implementing externalfundraising strategies and initiatives that encourage philanthropic support topromote the mission, priorities and values of Wayne State University with aspecific focus on arts, humanities and social sciences. Cultivate, solicit and steward donors to strengthen relationships,increase philanthropy and meet established fundraising goals. This positionreports to the Director, University-Wide Philanthropy - Arts.

EssentialFunctions
(Essentialfunctions are the primary duties/major job responsibilities that an employeemust be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. Theessential functions are listed in order of importance.)

Collaborate with director, faculty, staff and fellow development professionals to identify fundraising needs and priorities; assist in the development of fundraising action plans and strategies; create opportunities that will generate foundation grants; establish and meet realistic and achievable timelines. Provide expertise to advance interests by researching and identifying sources of support, seeking opportunities to generate new proposals based on funder guidelines and interests, and maintaining strong communication ties with potential funders.

Responsible for achieving annual fundraising goal and assisting in meeting unit and division goals: allocating and prioritizing time and resources to achieve the greatest return on investment. Performance and productivity will be measured on the following metrics as determined annually:
Dollars raised toward unit fundraising goal
Number of proposals submitted
Number of proposals secured
Number of visits with external funders

Collaborate with director and development professionals to strategically identify foundation funding opportunities.  Develop and submit related proposals and assist in cultivating and soliciting support to secure and increase foundation philanthropy. Increase the number and quality of funder prospects in collaboration with Prospect Development team. 

Manage a portfolio of foundation prospects; schedule and host program officer visits on and off-campus. Conduct one-on-one solicitations; secure personal visits to build and enhance funder relationships. Maintain knowledge of trends in foundation giving and philanthropy in general. 

Perform other related duties as assigned.

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