Vice President of Grantmaking

Inclusiv is the largest network of community development financial institutions (CDFIs) with a mission to promote financial inclusion in low-income communities across the country. Through our network of more than 500 community development credit unions, Inclusiv reaches more than 20 million people with limited incomes and/or who live in historically redlined communities.

Inclusiv is responsible for the management of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) program, supporting credit union lenders to spark and scale emission-reducing clean energy projects.

Inclusiv is hiring a Vice President of Grantmaking to develop and execute this transformational program by directing more than $1.68 billion in grants to credit unions, over 4-5 years, to build and scale clean energy projects that will reduce carbon emissions while equitably targeting 100% of all resources toward low-income and disadvantaged communities (LIDACs) that would otherwise be left behind in a greening economy.

The Vice President of Grantmaking will lead the team that designs, builds, and operates our grant program for CCIA over a 4–5-year period of time. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, Center for Resiliency and Clean Energy, this position will work closely with the CCIA Credit Union Success team, Network team, Inclusiv Senior Management, and credit union lenders.

While building the team, and throughout their tenure, the Vice President should be prepared to manage, oversee, and troubleshoot all aspects of the grantmaking process from drafting program guidelines and criteria to successful selection and launch at the credit union level.

Responsibilities

The Vice President of Grantmaking will build the strategy and team to develop and maintain Inclusiv’s uniquely accessible and agile grantmaking approach, and our streamlined and transparent grants management operations.

Grant Program Management

• Drive the strategy and execution of the new Inclusiv CCIA Clean Energy grantmaking effort.
• Build and lead a new, highly collaborative team of up to 12 staff members to enable the smooth implementation of the grantmaking strategy and application process. Supervise a team member responsible for recruiting, training, and overseeing a group of 6-12 external consultants to serve as independent grant review committees.
• Cultivate a professional environment that builds on the historic strength and expertise of Inclusiv and its leaders incorporating their vision, knowledge and input into an accessible and transparent grants program and process.
• Work with the General Counsel and senior leadership to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations, and state and local laws that may be applicable.

Design and Implement Grantmaking Strategy

• Design and implement the organization’s approach to deploying $1.68 billion in combined grant funding to an estimated 300-500 credit unions over 4-5 years.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of critical issues affecting the viability of success for credit unions in achieving program goals. Establish clear and navigable program parameters including eligibility, expectations, and compliance requirements.
• Incorporate user experience by engaging credit union input into the process through interviews, focus groups and feedback sessions with diverse credit union segments.
• Establish an accessible and robust competitive application process, with clear and demonstrable evaluation criteria, based upon qualitative and quantitative success metrics.
• Elaborate application criteria based on what makes a credit union able to succeed as a CCIA grantee. These include organizational and management experience, demonstrated ability to effectively reach and serve low-income and disadvantaged people and communities, financial performance, operational capacity to manage the program and federal funds, ambitious but realistic plan and projections for scaling clean energy eligible projects and products.
• Formulate grant review process that differentiates success criteria based on different credit union segments (MDIs, CDFIs, Cooperativas in Puerto Rico, credit unions in territories, nascent versus mature energy markets, rural markets, urban markets, and representation within each of the 10 EPA regions, etc.).

Launch and Manage Application and Review Processes

1. Implement the grants review process, building and managing a strong team, made up of staff members and outside expert reviewers with deep understanding and knowledge in program goals, credit union operations and energy markets and local context,

2. Define and implement the review processes to include:

• grant applicant pre-qualification process;
• criteria for full grant application, along with the coordination between pre-qualification and full application; and
• applicant support to ensure both customized attention and consistent delivery as needed within diverse market segments and regions.

3. Deliver a deep and thorough review of each applicant to include: panel reviews and discussion, incorporation of public data, solicitation of additional information, directing (with resources) applicants to seek and obtain additional training, and virtual and in-person meetings with applicants.

Grant Decision and Transition to Grantee Success

• Implement selection and award notification process, with customized workplans, for each credit union that is selected for a grant.
• Ensure each credit union grantee is fully trained on the expectations of the program, the federal government compliance and reporting requirements, and the elaboration of milestones and disbursement schedule.
• Create and staff a clear structure and path for grant decisions, applicant communications, and grant decision communications.
• Partner with Inclusiv Legal team to create and staff a clear structure for new grantee contracting.
• Create and staff a team that will manage a smooth handoff from application stage to a separate “Grantee Success” team that will provide support for new grantee onboarding and orientation on grant reporting.

The Vice President of Grantmaking will work with the President/CEO, the SVP of the Center for Resiliency and Clean Energy, and other Inclusiv departments to develop the above steps.

Essential Experience, Skills, and Attributes

Our new Vice President of Grantmaking will be creative, collaborative, adaptable and ready to take up the implementation of this transformative moment. We seek a leader with confidence, energy, and collaborative approaches to directing capital to build credit unions’ institutional strength and ability to advance lending that will dramatically reduce carbon emissions in communities most negatively impacted by environmental, energy and financial policy and systems. Our ideal candidate is open-minded, curious, strategic with a demonstrated commitment to community-based finance and clean energy.

Specific Qualifications sought:

• Commitment to Inclusiv’s mission to help low- and moderate-income people and communities achieve financial independence.
• Professional with more than 15 years’ experience, at least 8-10 years working in community development finance (with a strong preference for credit union experience), philanthropy and social impact investment
• Well-versed in clean energy and climate impact
• Skilled in working across multiple teams and with diverse stakeholders to create inclusive and collaborative processes and outcomes
• Adept at building both internal and external relationships.
• Strong project management skills and track record of completing complex projects with multiple stakeholders on time and on budget.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

To Apply: Please send resume, cover letter, and two relevant writing or work product samples. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Location and Compensation: Inclusiv has offices in New York City, Atlanta, and San Juan. This role is located in New York City and is a hybrid role with two days per week in the office and three days per week working remotely. Exceptional candidates within commuting distance of Atlanta or San Juan are also encouraged to apply. Occasional travel will be required for conferences, site visits, and all-staff gatherings.

Salary: The salary range for this position starts at $140,000 annually. We will consider a higher salary for candidates with more experience. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare coverage, retirement plans, opportunities for professional development, discretionary time off and much more.

About Inclusiv

Inclusiv is an equal opportunity employer that works with member credit unions that serve ethnically, economically, and geographically diverse markets and communities. We value our diverse staff and membership and seek to maintain that tradition of diversity in all of our recruitment efforts. It is the policy of Inclusiv to provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment to all employees or applicants for employment without discrimination on the basis of regard to sex, race, color, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status and any additional categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Adept at building both internal and external relationships. Skilled in working across multiple teams and with diverse stakeholders to create inclusive and collaborative processes and outcomes