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Foundation Program Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cultivate and steward relationships with foundation program officers, philanthropic advisors, and institutional partners. * Develop and submit compelling letters of inquiry, grant proposals, concept ...

Cultivate and steward relationships with foundation program officers, philanthropic advisors, and institutional partners. * Develop and submit compelling letters of inquiry, grant proposals, concept ...

Program Officer - SW

Manhattan, NY · Hybrid

$80K - $85K/yr

Ideally, you have prior experience in foundation work, grants administration and/or social welfare ... Our target salary range for the Social Welfare Program Officer in the New York City market is $80 ...

Apply Early

Program Officer - SW

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Ideally, you have prior experience in foundation work, grants administration and/or social welfare ... Our target salary range for the Social Welfare Program Officer in the New York City market is $80 ...

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Foundation Program Officer information

See salary details

$33.5K

$100.4K

$155.5K

How much do foundation program officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 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.

What cities are hiring for Foundation Program Officer jobs? Cities with the most Foundation Program Officer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Foundation Program Officer jobs? The most popular types of Foundation Program Officer jobs are:
What states have the most Foundation Program Officer jobs? States with the most job openings for Foundation Program Officer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Foundation Program Officer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,365 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Senior Program Officer, Community & Worker Power

Freedom Together Foundation

New York, NY • Hybrid

$183K - $203K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Title: Senior Program Officer, Community and Worker Power

Location: NYC (hybrid, 3 days/week in office, 2 days remote)

Salary: $183,000-$203,000

Reporting to: Senior Vice President, Community and Worker Power

ABOUT US

The Freedom Together Foundation's mission is to support people who have been denied power to build it, so they can change unjust systems and create a more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable society. We are committed to advancing deep, systemic change by supporting movements, leaders, and organizations working for justice across the country.

THE POSITION

The Freedom Together Foundation seeks nominations and applications for the position of Senior Program Officer for the Community and Worker Power team. The Senior Program Officer (SPO) will serve as a strategic partner, convener, and organizer in our work to strengthen labor and worker power across the country.

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Community and Worker Power, the SPO will focus on worker rights organizations and other economic justice organizations to do everything in their power to organize and protect and expand rights and standards for vulnerable workers and people within and beyond their own memberships at this time.

The SPO will work with labor leaders and other organizations that protect, educate and organize workers, and with experts in the field to assess strategies. 

The ideal candidate brings deep credibility in labor and community organizing circles, a network that spans multiple sectors, and the strategic vision to help co-design and execute an ambitious agenda in partnership with Freedom Together leadership and allied organizations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Program Officer (SPO) will report to the Senior Vice President for Community and Worker Power, and will hold the following responsibilities and areas of work: 

Strategy and Convening

  • Design and facilitate strategic conversations, both 1:1 and in group settings, with key labor leaders to surface barriers, solutions, and creative approaches.
  • Convene gatherings and working groups to help partners share struggles, best practices, and support each other in their work.
  • Develop hypotheses, test them through outreach, and build a cohesive strategy.

Research and Field Building

  • Investigate, surface, and support projects and approaches that help labor leaders and community organizations shift their knowledge, analysis, strategies, and practices.
  • Research and map opportunities for worker power building in areas or geographies where worker organizing is limited or non-existent.
  • Assess what is working in the field, identify gaps, and recommend adjustments to existing programs and partnerships.

Relationship Management

  • Independently conduct outreach to and build relationships with labor leaders across the sector, worker centers, and other organizations concerned with economic justice and worker education.
  • Develop consistent engagement with existing partners, including regular check-ins, program support, and strategic guidance.

Grantmaking and Program Management

  • Contribute to grantmaking strategy and processes within the Community and Worker Power program area, including inviting and reviewing proposals, conducting site visits, and supporting grantee relationships.
  • Track and report on program progress, learning, and impact in alignment with Freedom Together's strategic goals.
  • Collaborate with colleagues across the foundation to integrate Community and Worker Power strategies with broader organizational priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, AND BEHAVIORS

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications below, the ideal candidate will have many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

  • Minimum of 7-10 years' relevant experience in labor organizing or worker power building.
  • Deep credibility within labor movement circles, with established relationships spanning multiple labor sectors.
  • Track record of sustained engagement within labor and worker organizations or campaigns, demonstrating the ability to build long-term relationships with leaders and see complex initiatives through multiple phases.
  • Clear and recent experience working within organizing ecosystems across multiple sectors and/or geographies, particularly in regions where worker power is underdeveloped.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently conduct outreach to senior leaders and facilitate consequential conversations.
  • Experience co-designing and executing bold strategies in partnership with diverse stakeholders.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify field gaps, develop hypotheses, and synthesize learning into actionable recommendations.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write compelling briefs, memos, and reports for diverse audiences including Foundation leadership.
  • High level of emotional intelligence, discretion, sound judgment, and low ego.
  • Comfort with ambiguity and a track record of entrepreneurial, adaptive approaches to complex problems.
  • A "no task too small" mindset, with humility, initiative, and a collaborative spirit.
  • A curious, proactive learner who brings positivity and resilience to changing circumstances.
  • Proficient with Google Suite and able to learn other programs to support the work.
  • A strong alignment with the foundation's mission and values.
  • Enthusiasm to build a culture rooted in shared values that supports staff to bring their best selves to the work.
  • Ability and willingness to travel (anticipated up to 30%), including overnight stays.

SALARY & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, exempt position and the annualized salary range is $183,000-$203,000. Freedom Together offers an extensive and generous benefits package including health insurance (with 100% of the premiums paid for employees, spouses, domestic partners, and qualified family members), paid time off (including last week of the year), 401(k) retirement plan with 12% employer contribution, and access to an inclusive family building reimbursement plan. Freedom Together provides up to $5,000 annually for professional development and the ability to recommend an annual grant to the nonprofit of your choice.

WORKING WITH FREEDOM TOGETHER

We believe that diversity is critical to our mission, and we value an inclusive culture. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experiences related to our programs and applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The Freedom Together Foundation is an equal opportunity employer; we do not discriminate in employment based on race/ethnicity, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), religion, age, disability, marital or familial status, or military status in any of its activities or operations.

The Freedom Together Foundation is based in Manhattan, NY. Freedom Together staff operates on a hybrid schedule and currently works from the NYC office three days weekly, with the flexibility to work remotely two days weekly.

TO APPLY

The priority deadline to apply for this position is June 24, 2026, though applications will be considered until the position is filled. To apply, please submit a resume, answer the questions, and submit a cover letter. 

Submit a cover letter that gives a window into who you are, introduce yourself, and please address the items below. Keep your cover letter to a maximum of two pages and you do not need to restate your resume. 

  • your experience in the labor and worker power space
  • the sectors and geographies where you have deep roots 
  • why this role feels urgent and compelling for you at this moment

Reach out to Jaclyn Jones at jjones@freedomtogether.org with any questions.