Program Manager - Hybrid position

Position reports to: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ABOUT CRICKET ISLAND FOUNDATION

The Cricket Island Foundation (CIF) is a family foundation dedicated to advancing the field of youth-led social change. CIF’s mission is to develop the capacity and commitment of young people to improve their lives and communities, as well as the world around them. CIF supports organizations that offer meaningful opportunities for youth to contribute to positive social change. CIF currently supports 20+ organizations (grantees) across the country that use youth organizing and advocacy work to empower young people to become leaders in their communities, through a combination of general operating grants, capacity-building support, and rapid-response funding. We support youth-led, grassroots organizations, working at the intersections of multiple issues facing their communities.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Program Manager (PM) is part of a close-knit four-person staff team and works closely with the Executive Director and the Board Grantmaking Committee, supporting the Cricket Island Foundation’s programmatic goals and engaging in strategy development and oversight of grant activities. The PM’s primary responsibility is to support and maintain learning relationships with our grantee partners, to communicate about these partnerships to CIF board and staff, and to bring this perspective to the Foundation’s ongoing strategy development. This position will require up to 25% domestic travel. The Foundation will prioritize applications from candidates with non-traditional experience; the ideal applicant has worked in one or more organizations in the nonprofit sector; work in social justice and/or youth organizing a plus. You should be an independent self-starter, with the ability to set and meet goals and to balance creative thinking with strong analytical skills.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management and Grantmaking

• Maintain close, supportive learning relationships with the Foundation’s grantees and other partners based on respect, candor, mutual learning and ongoing improvement; ensure that those partnerships are in service of organizational capacity building and development and support CIF’s ongoing learning and responsiveness to the field.
• Manage the grantmaking process from RFP through evaluation, to decision and grant closure; provide timely communications to grantees, grantseekers, and other partners about RFPs, grant proposals, reports, meetings and other matters.
• Work with the Executive Director to develop grantmaking strategies, priorities, and guidelines.
• Evaluate the impact of grants and programs; review and analyze grantee reports.
• Manage financial and budget reports to track annual grant and program development spending.
• Administer the Foundation’s Organizational Strengthening program, occasionally in partnership with other funders, through grant support and organized convenings.

Board of Directors and General Administration

• Prepare concise, analytical summaries and funding recommendations for Grantmaking Committee and board members; prepare grantmaking presentations for board meetings.
• Support Board and Grantmaking Committee discussions around refining and revising criteria, strategy development, and evaluation, as needed.
• Participate in the general preparation for and implementation of semi-annual Board meetings.
• Perform other Foundation-related work as requested by the Executive Director.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

• Previous nonprofit experience is required, preferably at the grassroots level; detailed understanding of nonprofit management, fund-raising, and institutional development needs is preferable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen to and communicate effectively and professionally with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Excellent communications, public speaking, presentation, and writing skills; experienced in synthesizing large amounts of information into clear, concise, and compelling reports and briefing papers.
• Outstanding analytical and creative thinking, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively; excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to identify and access relevant research, policy information, and individuals that will advance the work of the Foundation.
• Availability to travel within the U.S. up to 25% of time.

LOCATION

This is a hybrid position, with an expectation of one day per week in the office located in New York City. The role requires up to 25% domestic travel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This is primarily a sedentary desk position, requiring an appropriate off-site work setup, and up to 25% travel as noted above.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000, depending on experience. In addition, Cricket Island Foundation offers employees an outstanding benefits package.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Cricket Island Foundation is committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and actively seeks an applicant pool that reflects the diversity of the populations we support; we encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, either as a citizen or permanent resident.

APPLICATION PROCESS

We encourage you to apply early if interested. We will be accepting and reviewing applications on a rolling basis through April 2025, with the aim of bringing on a new team member in Q3 2025.

In lieu of a cover letter, please submit a preliminary application along with your résumé HERE.