Search
Global Warming Program Officer
The Morgan Family Foundation exists to improve the human condition. Since our creation in 2003 by Lee and Vicki Morgan, the Foundation has contributed over $47 million in grants for a variety of charitable purposes, primarily in Yellow Springs, Ohio and St. Cloud, Minnesota. The Foundation focuses most of our grantmaking on several specific program themes: social equity in St. Cloud, global warming in Minnesota, and end-of-life issues in Minnesota. In addition, the Foundation invests most of our assets in alignment with our purpose and programmatic interests. The Foundation is governed by a board of eight members located across the country, most of whom are family, and the Foundation office and four of its staff are based in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Historically, program officers who work extensively with nonprofit grantee partners have been based in the communities in which those partners are located. The Foundation donates approximately $2 million a year. The global warming grants budget is $615,000 for 2025, some of which has already been committed.
Summary: The Global Warming Program Officer (part time) is responsible for identifying strategic opportunities for the Foundation to mitigate global warming in Minnesota through grantmaking and other activities. The position manages the grantmaking process for our Global Warming Program, including executing and refining the grantmaking strategy, as well as establishing and maintaining relationships on behalf of the Foundation with grantee partners and other key constituents. The program officer is responsible for identifying potential grant investments; investigating, evaluating, and recommending grant requests; monitoring grants; evaluating grant results; and sharing overall learnings and impact. The position will serve as a credible source of information on the impacts of global warming throughout Minnesota and effective ways to mitigate it. The position will also represent the Foundation at various meetings concerning global warming. This staff position is 0.25 FTE. Required hours can vary based on the Foundation’s grantmaking and other planned activities. This position reports to the executive director.
$23,000-$30,000 a year (part-time)
Responsibilities:
- Serve as a source of information and insight relevant to funding needs and opportunities to mitigate global warming in Minnesota
- Take the lead in preparing the agenda and related materials in advance of Global Warming Subcommittee meetings, working with other Foundation staff and Subcommittee chair as appropriate, and afterwards review and finalize Subcommittee Meeting Notes
- Solicit and investigate grant requests related to global warming, conduct site visits, and collect all relevant information necessary for a thorough review of grant proposals
- Evaluate grant requests including analyzing financial data, sources of funding, organizational goals and plans, and other relevant data
- Prepare summary of assigned grant proposals, recommend action, and present recommended actions to the Global Warming Subcommittee and/or Board of Directors as appropriate
- Work closely with support staff to ensure timely and accurate preparation of grant reports for the Global Warming Subcommittee and/or Board of Directors
- Notify grant applicants of the Foundation’s funding decisions in a timely and respectful manner, in writing and/or verbally as appropriate
- Communicate with grantseeking organizations to assist in their preparation of grant proposals; provide technical assistance to grantees or recommend helpful resources as appropriate
- Monitor performance and progress of organizations receiving grants from the Foundation, including conducting interim check-in meetings; reviewing final grant reports; sharing results with the Subcommittee, Grants Policy Committee and/or Board; and recommending appropriate action to the executive director
- Develop and maintain relationships with funded nonprofit organizations that are effective and respectful
- Periodically assist the Global Warming Subcommittee in refining the Foundation’s grant strategy and process for the global warming portion of the Foundation’s total grantmaking
- Seek opportunities to increase subject matter expertise in global warming and enhance effectiveness in grant evaluation by participating in activities to develop skills and knowledge, including seminars, conferences, ongoing professional reading and networking
- Develop and maintain relationships with other funders addressing global warming and climate change, especially in Minnesota, to exchange information and seek opportunities for collaboration
- Represent the Foundation at various selected meetings related to global warming, such as those that may involve other funders, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, public officials and regulatory agencies
- As available time permits, assist with special projects as requested
Desired Qualifications/Experience:
- Required: Minnesota residence
- Required: Familiarity and first-hand knowledge of global warming and climate change, particularly in the state of Minnesota
- Required: Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
- Required: Excellent people skills, including the ability to work effectively and respectfully with the board, staff, representatives of nonprofit organizations, public policy makers and regulators, community members and professional colleagues
- Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree a plus
- Minimum of three years’ work experience as a professional grantmaker, in the nonprofit sector (nonprofit charitable board service qualifies), or in the public service arena (policymaking, regulation, or administration)
- Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, including financial analysis
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel); ability to learn and maintain proficient knowledge of Foundation-specific systems including grant application and management software as appropriate; proficient with videoconferencing applications such as Zoom
- Intellectually curious, resourceful, self-motivated and able to work independently
- Aptitude for organizing tasks, managing time and prioritizing projects with a keen attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and a high level of integrity
- Car and possible occasional air travel
Qualified and interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and three references via Indeed. Initial interviews of selected applicants will be scheduled for early July.
