Join Our Team - New Program Officer Position

Join our Growing Team

Bright Promises is now hiring a part-time Program Officer

Bright Promises Foundation employs an innovative, focused, and responsive funding model to support organizations located in and around Chicago that serve the needs of at-risk children and youth.

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Our aspiration to function as a trust-based partner with our grantees combined with recent growth in the foundation’s programs have created the need for additional management support. The Bright Promises Foundation is hiring a part-time Program Officer on a contractual basis with the opportunity for the role to evolve into an ongoing staff position. We are seeking an individual who can serve as a thought partner with our grantees, manage and improve grant processes to make them as efficient as possible, and create collaborative opportunities that advance knowledge and practices for the sector.

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The following is an outline of the qualifications and responsibilities for this position.

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Program Officer Responsibilities

The Program Officer is responsible for conducting most aspects of the grantmaking process, including but not limited to: program research; reviewing/evaluating grant requests; grant activity tracking; interfacing with grantees and the public; developing foundation documents under the guidance of the Executive Director; and working with outside evaluators. Essential responsibilities and opportunities include the following:
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• Oversight of the day-to-day execution of grantmaking: The Program Officer will develop and refine grant application, grantee solicitation to apply, the review of grant proposals resulting in grantee selection, grantee reporting, plan and implement grantee convenings, and coordinate external evaluation processes. In addition, he/she/they will conduct research relevant to program areas and will present findings to the Program & Advocacy Committee and Executive Director. The Program Officer will communicate with grant-seekers regularly through virtual and in-person meetings and will conduct site visits as part of the review process. The Program Officer will ensure that Bright Promises Foundation employs Trust-Based Philanthropic practices and that all proposed grantees meet appropriate legal standards and provide appropriate documentation.
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• Coordinate with Bright Promises Foundation Staff and Board of Directors: The Program Officer will represent grant-seekers by sharing grant proposals with the Program & Advocacy Committee and by sharing grant request summaries with the Board of Directors. In addition, he/she/they will report grantee progress directly to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors on a regular basis. The Program Officer will work collaboratively with the Executive Director in all aspects of grantmaking.
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• Collaborate when appropriate with other Grantmakers and organizational partners: He/she/they will be knowledgeable about community initiatives and will identify other funders and potential grantee partners for Bright Promises Foundation grant programs.
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• Build community goodwill and further the Bright Promises mission: The Program Officer will represent Bright Promises and its priorities in the community through collaborations, conferences, site visits, and engagement with philanthropic partners to coordinate, strengthen, and promote nonprofit/philanthropic sector interests. He/she/they will build knowledge about community needs and national issues that impact the work of the Foundation and will share findings with the Executive Director and Board.

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Candidate Education and Experience

• Four to seven years of direct experience with the grantmaking, fundraising, and/or program management processes in non-profits and philanthropy. Direct knowledge and experience with the landscape of children’s issues and services in Chicago in addition to nonprofit program development and management experience is highly desirable. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required.
• Strong writing, analytical, project management, and organizational skills with the ability to synthesize and present information efficiently.
• Self-motivated, forward-thinking individual with demonstrated success working across multiple sectors.
• Flexible, dynamic individual who is comfortable managing multiple projects at once.
• Knowledge of and/or demonstrated interest in one or more of the following topic areas: children and youth developmental issues, trauma-informed practices, and Social/Emotional Learning.
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Compensation

This position is offered on a contracted services basis working on average 16-24 hours per week from the candidate’s home. Scheduling is flexible based on the day-to-day needs. If successful, the position can evolve into an ongoing staff role. Compensation is offered in the $45-$60 an hour range based on experience and other related factors. There are no benefits offered as this is a contracted position initially.

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How to Apply

Please send resume and cover letter detailing the applicant’s background and experience relevant to the responsibilities and qualifications of the position, as well as the names and contact information for three references. Please submit applications to Jim Hirsch at jim.hirsch@brightpromises.org with the subject line “Program Officer Application – Your Name”. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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The Bright Promises Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and promotes diversity. Well-qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply

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Download the full job description here.