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Vice President Foundation Program Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... across program teams. Partner with other senior leaders, especially the COO, in leading change ... The Barr Foundation offers an attractive benefits package including generous health, dental, vision ...

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Vice President Foundation Program Officer information

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$43.5K

$157.5K

$277.5K

How much do vice president foundation program officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for vice president foundation program officer in the United States is $157,532.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $190,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Vice President Foundation Program Officer do?

A Vice President Foundation Program Officer is a senior leader at a philanthropic foundation responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of grantmaking programs. They guide the foundation’s strategic priorities, manage relationships with grantees and community partners, and ensure that funded initiatives align with the organization's mission. This role often involves supervising program teams, assessing funding proposals, and monitoring the impact of grants to maximize positive social outcomes. Additionally, they may represent the foundation at public events and collaborate with other philanthropic and nonprofit leaders.

What are the typical challenges faced by a Vice President Foundation Program Officer when aligning program initiatives with the foundation's strategic goals?

A Vice President Foundation Program Officer often encounters the challenge of balancing diverse stakeholder interests while ensuring that program initiatives align with the foundation's long-term strategic goals. This can involve managing competing priorities, adapting to changing community needs, and ensuring measurable impact within budget constraints. Effective communication and collaboration with both internal teams and external partners are crucial for navigating these complexities. Additionally, staying informed about sector trends and evaluating program outcomes are essential to maintain alignment and maximize the foundation's effectiveness.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Vice President Foundation Program Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vice President Foundation Program Officer, you need deep expertise in program development, strategic grantmaking, and nonprofit management, typically supported by an advanced degree in public administration, philanthropy, or a related field. Familiarity with grant management software, data analysis tools, and budget tracking systems is essential for effective oversight. Exceptional leadership, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills set high performers apart in managing teams and fostering partnerships. These competencies are vital for maximizing program impact, ensuring compliance, and advancing the foundation's mission.

What is the difference between Vice President Foundation Program Officer vs Program Officer?

AspectVice President Foundation Program OfficerProgram Officer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, often master's or higher, extensive experience in philanthropy or nonprofit managementBachelor's degree, experience in nonprofit or grant management often sufficient
Work EnvironmentSenior leadership in foundation, strategic planning, high-level stakeholder engagementOperational role, manages grants, supports program implementation
Employer & Industry UsageFoundations, large nonprofits, philanthropic organizationsFoundations, nonprofits, grant-making agencies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior roles in foundationsEntry to mid-level program management roles

The Vice President Foundation Program Officer typically holds a senior leadership position with strategic responsibilities, overseeing large programs and stakeholder relations. In contrast, a Program Officer usually manages specific grants or projects, focusing on program implementation and support. The VP role requires more experience, higher credentials, and a broader scope of influence within the foundation.

What cities are hiring for Vice President Foundation Program Officer jobs? Cities with the most Vice President 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 Vice President Foundation Program Officer jobs? States with the most job openings for Vice President Foundation Program Officer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Vice President Foundation Program Officer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Vice President Foundation Program Officer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Vice President Foundation Program Officer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $157,532 per year, or $75.7 per hour.
Cross-Foundation Program Officer

Cross-Foundation Program Officer

MacArthur Foundation

Chicago, IL • On-site

$120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Description
Summary:
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur 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 Foundation is seeking a Cross-Foundation Program Officer to provide programmatic support to multiple areas of work on an as-needed basis as back-up for, or in addition to, current program staff. This Program Officer is one of a team of three and will apply their expertise across multiple subject areas to develop and implement grantmaking strategies. In this role, the Program Officer will be called upon to deliver under pressure, and consistently produce high-quality work; build effective peer relationships throughout the Foundation; work with other departments proactively; anticipate potential issues and propose solutions; offer assistance and service to colleagues; and present ideas for improvement and be able to create a project plan to execute these improvements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Participate in the design, implementation, refinement and adaptation of grantmaking strategies and in planning future program strategies, as needed
  • Assist in the design of new initiatives
  • Identify prospective grant recipients and work with prospective grantees to develop proposals that advance grantmaking strategies
  • Review and evaluate proposals
  • Conduct background research and due diligence, prepare grant recommendations for administrative and Board consideration, and respond to unsuccessful proposals
  • Monitor the performance of grants and the implementation of grant strategies
  • Manage a caseload of active grants, review periodic reports and maintain accurate records and constructive contact with grantees
  • Organize meetings of prospective grantees, grantees, program advisors, and others in relevant fields
  • Keep abreast of current events, developments and issues in the field to maintain a balanced and objective perspective and approach to grantmaking.
  • Write extensively for internal purposes
  • Build and sustain relationships with colleagues across the Foundation, and with leaders, actors and organizations in relevant fields, including the public and commercial sectors
  • Represent the Foundation at conferences and other public events, including as speaker or panel participant

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

Qualifications:
  • Graduate training and at least five years' experience working as a policy professional, researcher or practitioner in a relevant nonprofit or academic field preferred; previous grantmaking or grant seeking experience is desirable
  • Seasoned generalist with the ability to work across multiple subject areas
  • Solid grounding in the theory, history and trends in a relevant area of work; a strong grasp of relevant empirical research and theoretical literature; and a good understanding of the substance and dynamics of public policies relevant to the work of the program(s)
  • Able to make effective connections among research, policy and practice and to work productively with government, community-based organizations, and academic institutions, and working knowledge of relevant government policies and programs
  • 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; and a talent for managing multiple tasks with significant initiative

The Program Officer must be willing to travel occasionally.
The position is currently 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.