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Foundation Program Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MGA

Senior Coordinator, Foundation Programs

Elmsford, NY · On-site

$58K - $70K/yr

Serve as the program-side point of contact for background-check and SafeSport compliance for recruiters and Foundation program volunteers, partnering with the Chief Administrative Officer to ensure ...

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How much do foundation program officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for foundation program officer in the United States is $100,365.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,500.00 and $132,000.00 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 are Foundation Program Officers?

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, and why are they important?

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.

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What cities are hiring for Foundation Program Officer jobs? Cities with the most Foundation Program Officer job openings:
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Foundation Program Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Foundation Program Officer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 97% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,365 per year, or $48.3 per hour.
Program Officer, Native Self-Determination

Program Officer, Native Self-Determination

MacArthur Foundation

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Job Description
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 Native Self-Determination portfolio centers the capacities of Native Nations and Indigenous communities to define and pursue their own priorities, elevating Indigenous knowledge, governance, and leadership. The portfolio invests in Native-led organizations, tribal governments, and community-based initiatives that build community and institutional capacity to support sustainable pathways to self-determination. As the same time, it advances accountable, trust-based relationships between philanthropy and Indigenous communities.
The Program Officer plays a central role in implementing the Foundation's Native Self-Determination strategy through grantmaking, relationship-building, learning, and community engagement. Responsibilities include developing and managing a grant portfolio; cultivating trust-based relationships with Indigenous partners; participating in field learning; and advancing grantmaking practices that emphasize accountability, flexibility, and respect. With the Director, the role works collaboratively across the Foundation to align strategy, learning, and operations with Indigenous values and community-defined outcomes.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience in Indigenous and American Indian affairs, including direct engagement with Native governments, organizations, and communities, as well as familiarity with federal, state, and tribal funding systems. They will apply this expertise to elevate Native-led solutions, build strategic partnerships with Indigenous leaders and peer funders, and contribute to field-informed frameworks that strengthen Indigenous self-determination while remaining accountable to the communities the portfolio serves.
This role is time-limited for an initial period of 5 years with the possibility of extension.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Grantmaking & Portfolio Management
  • Manage a caseload of active grants, including reviewing proposals, writing grant briefs, reviewing periodic reports maintaining accurate records and thoughtfully engaging with grantees
  • Conduct due diligence, prepare grant recommendations for internal and Board consideration, and communicate decisions to potential grantees and internally as needed
  • Monitor grant performance and implementation of grant strategies
  • Maintain and nurture relationships with grantees

Field Building & Ecosystem Development
  • Maintain active relationships with peer funders, partners, tribal and community leaders
  • Identify prospective grant recipients that strengthen Indigenous self-determination
  • Support grantee capacity building through convenings, peer learning, and connections to shared services

Research, Analysis & Strategic Thinking
  • Apply ecosystem development frameworks and archetype analysis to inform portfolio decisions
  • Keep abreast of current events, developments, and issues in the field
  • Monitor developments in local news business models, technology adoption, policy landscape, and field infrastructure
  • Write extensively for internal purposes, including strategy memos and grant recommendations
  • Collaborate with learning and evaluation colleagues

Collaboration & Representation
  • Build and sustain relationships with the Native Self-Determination team, colleagues across the Foundation, and with leaders and organizations in relevant fields
  • Work closely with the Native Self-Determination Program Director and team
  • Represent the Foundation at conferences and other public events, including as a speaker or panel participant
  • Anticipate potential issues and propose solutions

Other Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Serve on internal Foundation committees, as appropriate
  • Perform other duties, as assigned

Qualifications:
We recognize that no single candidate will embody every quality below. If this role calls to you, we encourage you to apply.
  • Six to ten years relevant experience and expertise working with Native Nations, communities and/or organizations
  • Mature understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Native Nations and communities
  • Ability to meet deadlines, work independently, and consistently produce high-quality work
  • Excellent analytical and communications skills, including writing and public speaking
  • Self-confident, collegial, and diplomatic, with an appreciation of the role of a grantmaking institution
  • Computer literate, with a high level of comfort with new applications
  • Other essential skills include effectiveness in interpersonal relations with a proven ability to work as part of a team; the ability to organize and convey problems and issues clearly and succinctly; ease with and openness to people who hold diverse views; a talent for managing multiple tasks with significant initiative

The Program Officer must be willing to travel frequently (once or twice a month).
The position is hybrid and based in Chicago, Illinois.
Annual salary for this role will start at $120,700. 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.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
The work environment is an office setting. Intermittent physical activities will include bending, reaching, sitting, and moving around the office during working hours. 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.

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