Program Officer, The Belk Foundation
Alma Advisory Group, United States
Job Description
About The Belk Foundation
The Belk Foundation is a family foundation that invests in public education, specifically K-3 achievement and excellent teachers and leaders. It serves as the public expression of gratitude and commitment shown by the family that created the Belk department store organization. The Foundation awards grants in Charlotte and also considers select state-level initiatives in North Carolina.
About the Program Officer Role
Working collaboratively with a dynamic small team, the Program Officer will be responsible for offering strategic input into the Foundation's operations and supporting the evaluation and grantmaking process for nonprofit partner organizations and school districts focusing on K-3 literacy, and the teacher and leadership pipeline. This person will build public awareness of the Foundation's mission and grantees, and facilitate the onboarding and professional learning opportunities for the Next Generation Advisory Group and new members of The Belk Foundation Board. The Program Officer will cultivate and identify potential grantees through research, networking, community involvement, and relationship-building across Charlotte-Mecklenburg and North Carolina. To succeed in this role, It is essential for this person to have knowledge and a true passion for public education, specifically in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area, but also across the state of North Carolina. The Program Officer must be exceedingly organized, flexible, and thrive on the challenges of an active, mission-focused lean organization.
What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)
Grants management, implementation and support
- Manage the grant process for a portfolio of grants, including but not limited to reviewing grant applications, facilitating the evaluation process, utilizing established online grants system and conducting grant process reviews.
- Support the planning of an annual grantee convening for all current grantees.
- Respond to the letters of inquiry, including researching and recommending new grantees.
Board development, governance and support
- Support the development and execution of an onboarding plan and individualized learning for Next Generation Advisory Group and new members of The Belk Foundation Board.
- Support the continuous improvement of the Next Generation Advisory Group strategy in order to effectively engage the group in the mission and operations of the Foundation.
- Support the coordination of some Board and grantee meetings, including logistical planning, communication, and material preparation.
Communication and logistical support for foundation activities
- Develop talking points, speaking notes and presentation materials for speaking engagements for the Executive Director and Board Chair.
- Prepare visual presentations and materials for meetings and events.
- Lead communication efforts to meeting/event participants.
- Manage the development of the annual report and periodic communication updates.
- Provide some logistical planning for meetings, as designated by the Executive Director.
- Proactively support internal and external communication efforts and engagement logistics.
- Develop communications for various audiences, as needed.
Requirements
What Skills You Need to Be Successful (Competencies)
Strategic Planning, Organization, and Effective Execution
- Exhibit strong project management and exceptional implementation skills.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills, including the ability to analyze data, problem solve, and present findings and solutions in a clear and concise manner.
- Possess high expectations for personal and organizational standards and achievements.
- Work proactively with the ability to prioritize responsibilities in a fast-moving and rapidly changing environment, while managing interruptions graciously and effectively.
- Exhibit exceptional organization and multitasking skills with the management of projects while still demonstrating a high degree of detail orientation and precision.
- Show a true understanding of the importance and commitment to practicing confidentiality.
Extraordinary Communication and Relationship Building
- Cultivate and maintain collaborative and transparent working relationships with coworkers, Board members and grant seekers/recipients.
- Exhibit the ability to utilize superior written and verbal communication skills.
- Utilize good judgment when managing complex local and statewide partnerships.
- Demonstrate a calm and caring personal style and the ability to function as a unifying force and the ability to function well in a sm