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Foundation Program Officer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Chief Financial Officer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$175K - $200K/yr

Develop sophisticated financial models to evaluate new programs, service lines, facility expansions ... foundation grants -- including HRSA Section 330 and other funding streams -- ensuring strict ...

Gift Officer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

... giving, corporate and foundation relations, and campaign priorities. The Director manages a ... Serve as the primary development liaison for assigned athletic programs in partnership with the ...

... giving, corporate and foundation relations, and campaign priorities. The Director manages a ... Serve as the primary development liaison for assigned athletic programs in partnership with the ...

Chief Financial Officer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$175 - $200/hr

Oversee financial management of all federal, state, and foundation grants -- including HRSA Section ... Provide proactive financial guidance to program directors on grant expenditures, period of ...

... foundation with a leader in the security industry. In this role, you can expect to work 30-40 hours ... program. Shifts, days, locations, and assignments will change regularly, making this an ideal ...

New

Employee Assistance Program. * DailyPay Access Program!! * Discounts on Childcare, Pet care ... Securitas' core values - Integrity, Vigilance and Helpfulness - are the foundation for our ...

Employee Assistance Program. * DailyPay Access Program!! * Discounts on Childcare, Pet care ... Securitas' core values - Integrity, Vigilance and Helpfulness - are the foundation for our ...

Showing results 21-40

Foundation Program Officer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$34.5K

$103.4K

$160.2K

How much do foundation program officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for foundation program officer in Chicago, IL is $103,390.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,700.00 and $136,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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 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 most commonly searched types of Foundation Program Officer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Foundation Program Officer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Foundation Program Officer jobs in Chicago, IL?

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

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Foundation Program Officer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Foundation Program Officer job openings:

Infographic showing various Foundation Program Officer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,390 per year, or $49.7 per hour.

Associate General Counsel

MacArthur Foundation

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

Job Description
TO APPLY:
This search is being led by John and Snyder . Interested, qualified attorneys may formally submit their application directly to the John and Snyder website. Applying to the MacArthur career site may cause delays in review of your application.
Summary:
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the nation's largest independent foundations. The Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur invests in solving some of the world's most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news, expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, and strengthening the well-being of Native communities. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program and the global 100&Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India.
The Office of the General Counsel provides insight, advice and counsel to the Foundation's President, Staff and Board on a wide variety of policy, governance, programmatic, corporate, investment, and general legal matters. It is led by the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, to whom Associate General Counsels report, and works closely providing input and consulting on numerous issues.
Working with the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, an Associate General Counsel (AGC) provides legal counsel to Foundation Staff colleagues across an integrated portfolio of grantmaking, impact investments, investments, corporate, and operational matters. AGCs serve as embedded strategic partners to their assigned grant program teams, helping to shape legal frameworks from the earliest stages of program design, advising on and documenting risk management across their portfolios, and working with the General Counsel to build the legal infrastructure that the broader organization relies on. The AGC works with program teams and investment and impact investment teams, exercising judgment on complex matters with significant financial, reputational, and mission implications.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Associate General Counsel may handle matters in the following areas:
  • Grantmaking: Serve as primary legal counsel to multiple grantmaking teams, advising on grant structures, legal due diligence, and compliance with private foundation tax rules, and related domestic and international legal requirements. Review and draft grant agreements and related documents. Counsel program staff on legal and reputational risk.
  • Investments and impact investments: Review, draft, and negotiate documentation for the Foundation's traditional investment portfolio, including partnership agreements, subscription documents, and side letters. Advise on PRI and MRI impact investment transactions from term sheet through closing and ongoing compliance.
  • Contracts: Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of agreements, including consulting, technology, data privacy, licensing, real property, and vendor agreements.
  • Legal systems and operations: Contribute to the development of templates, policies, and playbooks that support consistency and risk management across the Foundation's legal work. Participate in cross-functional working groups and support knowledge management infrastructure across the department.
  • Corporate governance and affiliate matters: Assist with Board and Committee materials, minutes, resolutions, and consents for the Foundation and its affiliates. As assigned, serve as counsel, director, and/or officer to affiliated entities. Support regulatory filings.
  • Staff training and legal education: Help design and deliver legal training for Foundation staff. Translate complex legal analysis into clear, actionable guidance for non-lawyer audiences.
  • External engagement: Represent the Foundation through conference speaking, professional committees, and peer networks. Bring emerging legal developments and best practices back to the team.
  • Strategic legal leadership: Contribute to the development of consistent legal frameworks and department-wide practices in a quickly evolving operating environment. Advise on novel and complex legal and risk questions where established precedent may be limited.

Qualifications:
Required
  • Juris Doctor from an accredited institution with a record of strong academic and professional achievement
  • Current admission to the Illinois State Bar, an ability and willingness to sit for the bar exam for admission to Illinois Bar, or eligibility for immediate admission as registered in-house counsel
  • At least five years of experience as a practicing lawyer in a firm, organization, or government

Preferred
  • Prior in-house experience, ideally with a not-for-profit organization
  • Knowledge of private foundation tax law, nonprofit governance, and/or philanthropic sector regulation
  • Experience with investment and/or impact investment deals, including equity and debt structures
  • Familiarity with international grantmaking compliance, cross-border contracting, and/or OFAC/ATF requirements
  • Experience advising on data privacy, technology agreements, and/or AI governance matters
  • Experience negotiating and drafting contracts, legal memoranda, investment documents and other agreements
  • Experience designing legal systems, templates, and/or cross-functional processes

Competencies
  • Experience managing a wide range of multiple projects, clients, and issues simultaneously in a role requiring a broad base of knowledge, being able to respond timely to multiple requests with different priorities and reacting to new ideas and changing strategies
  • Ability to think strategically and be solution oriented
  • Ability to exercise independent judgment and work autonomously while maintaining strong alignment with department colleagues
  • Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely to identify, assess, and resolve legal and business problems and to summarize complex information
  • Experience balancing risk management with innovation in a fast-moving legal environment
  • Ability willingness to exercise sound, informed judgment, build and maintain positive, collaborative relationships internally, finding consensus among a diversity of perspectives where appropriate
  • Critical thinker who enjoys working with passionate and innovative colleagues
  • High level of integrity, discretion, and professional judgment

The position is hybrid and based in Chicago, Illinois.
Annual salary for this role will start at $174,800. We offer a generous total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and a comprehensive benefits package to support your life, health, and well-being.
Work Environment and Reasonable Accommodations
The work environment is an office setting. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable a person with disabilities to perform the job. Reasonable accommodations are also available during the interview process.
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
TO APPLY:
This search is being led by John and Snyder . Interested, qualified attorneys may formally submit their application directly to the John and Snyder website. Applying to the MacArthur career site may cause delays in review of your application.