Freelance Foundation Program Officer Jobs in Florida

IDD Program Officer of Southwest Florida

Golisano Foundation Company Description: The B. Thomas

Golisano Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the United

States, recognized for its significant philanthropic impact and long-term

commitment to community advancement. Headquartered in Victor, New York, the

Foundation focuses on strategic grantmaking that supports innovative programs

and improves quality of life for underserved populations. It collaborates with

nonprofit organizations, community groups, and other stakeholders to drive

measurable, sustainable change. Team members join a mission-driven environment

where thoughtful stewardship, accountability, and partnership are central to

the Foundation’s work.

Position Type: Full-time, based in Southwest Florida. Office space for work and meetings will be available based on the applicant’s location within the Foundation’s nine-county Southwest Florida giving region. Regular regional travel is required for site visits, meetings, events, and community engagement.

Periodic travel to the Foundation’s home office in Victor, New York will be required for meetings, trainings, planning sessions, and in-person events.

Salary Range: $60,000–$80,000 annually, plus benefits, based on experience and qualifications.

The Golisano Foundation seeks a mission-driven and relationship-centered IDD Program Officer of Southwest Florida to support the Foundation’s grantmaking and community engagement efforts for nonprofit organizations serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This position will serve as a key local representative of the Foundation in Southwest Florida, helping build strong relationships with nonprofit partners, service providers, advocates, families, and community stakeholders. The role requires curiosity, professionalism, and a commitment to understanding the regional landscape of services and supports for individuals with IDD, including housing, recreation, education, health, transportation, employment, family supports, respite, community inclusion and more.

The IDD Grant Specialist will support the grantmaking process, conduct site visits, assist with application review and follow-up, and help the Foundation better understand community needs, service gaps, funding challenges, and opportunities for philanthropic impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with nonprofit organizations, service providers, community partners, and stakeholders serving individuals with IDD in Southwest Florida.
• Serve as a local liaison between the Foundation and regional applicants, grantees, and community partners.
• Learn and monitor the Southwest Florida IDD service landscape, including nonprofit programs, public systems, funding sources, unmet needs, and emerging opportunities.
• Develop familiarity with Florida’s disability service systems, including the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Medicaid-funded services, waiver supports, and other relevant resources.
• Conduct site visits with nonprofit organizations and prepare thoughtful notes, summaries, and observations for Foundation staff and leadership.
• Assist with review of letters of inquiry, grant applications, budgets, reports, and other grant-related materials.
• Support communication with applicants and grantees regarding application status, funding decisions, reporting requirements, and follow-up.
• Help prepare grant summaries, briefing materials, and board meeting materials.
• Maintain accurate grant records, contact lists, calendars, correspondence, and related documentation.
• Participate in community meetings, provider gatherings, events, and convenings related to IDD services and supports.
• Assist with Foundation events and special initiatives, including community-facing activities in Southwest Florida.
• Represent the Foundation with professionalism, discretion, humility, and a strong commitment to inclusion and dignity for individuals with IDD.

Qualifications and Experience

• Commitment to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Experience in one or more relevant fields, such as nonprofit services, philanthropy, disability services, human services, community engagement, public administration or grant support.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted relationships with nonprofit leaders, service providers, families, advocates, community partners, Foundation staff, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, synthesize information, and clearly communicate observations.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, meetings, site visits, and grant-related tasks.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment, particularly when handling confidential information and representing the Foundation in the community.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google applications, email, calendars, virtual meeting platforms, and web-based systems; willingness to learn grant management and other online platforms.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout Southwest Florida for meetings, site visits, community events, and grantee engagement. Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disability services in Florida preferred, including familiarity with APD, Medicaid-funded services, waiver supports, and other public benefit systems.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, grant programs, community-based services, disability-serving agencies, or philanthropic initiatives preferred.
• Experience reviewing grant proposals, conducting site visits, preparing written summaries, supporting board materials, or coordinating program-related communications valued.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, lived experience, community involvement, and professional experience in relevant fields will be considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement: The Golisano Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds. The Foundation is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and mission-driven workplace.