Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Foundation Source is a boutique philanthropic services firm dedicated to supporting private foundations. The Program Officer will manage relationships with client foundations, shape grantmaking strategies, and lead environmental and non-environmental grantmaking efforts.
Responsibilities
- Lead a dynamic portfolio of environmental grants focused on watershed restoration and protection and sustainable agriculture
- Conduct annual site visits and field tours with board members, grantees, and landowners
- Build deep expertise across portfolios and cultivate long-term grantee relationships
- Drive collaboration among conservation organizations, agencies, and community partners to advance innovative, on-the-ground environmental solutions
- Work as a Program Officer across other clients and focus areas
- Own day-to-day relationships with applicants and grantees across the full grant cycle
- Conduct due diligence, prepare funding recommendations, and deliver presentations at board meetings
- Proactively identify and cultivate prospective grantees aligned with foundation priorities, ensuring a strong and strategic pipeline
- Shape grantmaking strategy by collaborating with senior program staff on planning and new initiative development
- Represent the foundation externally at conferences, convenings, and community events
- Bring fresh thinking to program areas and take on special projects that advance the client's broader mission and impact
Skills
- Five or more years of progressive experience in the nonprofit and/or philanthropic sector, with a demonstrated track record of driving initiatives, influencing outcomes, and building strong stakeholder relationships
- Passion for environmental and conservation issues, with experience or deep interest in areas such as watershed and forest restoration, open space preservation, climate resilience, regenerative agriculture, and biodiversity
- Proven ability to cultivate productive partnerships across nonprofit, public, and private sectors, bringing diverse stakeholders together around shared goals and measurable impact
- Strong analytical, financial, and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to assess nonprofit financials and budgets, synthesize complex information, develop actionable recommendations, and communicate insights clearly to diverse audiences
- Demonstrated success managing multiple priorities, influencing decision-making, and navigating complex stakeholder environments while working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced setting
- Intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and sound judgment, with the ability to quickly develop expertise in new program areas, identify opportunities for innovation, and effectively leverage technology and data management tools to support organizational goals
- Skilled at building trust and credibility with diverse constituencies, including nonprofit leaders, board members, donors, community partners, and individuals with differing perspectives and worldviews
- High standards of professionalism, integrity, and discretion, with alignment to our core values of generosity, respect, integrity, inclusion, commitment, and humility
- Willingness to travel locally and regionally (approximately 10–15%) for site visits and relationship-building opportunities throughout Northern California and Oregon
- Dedicated Workspace: Must have a home office or workspace that is free of distractions and interruptions to ensure productivity and focus during work hours
- Reliable Internet Connection: High-speed internet is required to support video conferencing, file sharing, and other work-related technology needs
- Hybrid Work Commitment: Minimum one day per week (Tuesdays) in the San Francisco office and ability to meet any in-person requirements. May require occasional travel to other Bay Area locations
Company Overview