The Surdna Foundation, a New York City-based family foundation founded by John E. Andrus in 1917, seeks a Program Associate to support its Thriving Cultures Program.  With assets over $700 million and a grantmaking budget in excess of $30 million, Surdna focuses in three grantmaking areas: Sustainable Environments, Strong Local Economies, and Thriving Cultures. The Surdna Foundation seeks to foster just and sustainable communities in the United States-communities guided by principles of social justice. The work environment at Surdna is team-oriented and collegial and diversity is valued.

Responsibilities

The Program Associate (PA) for the Thriving Cultures (TC) Program provides all administrative support for two professional staff members: a Program Director and a Program Officer. The PA also provides substantive programmatic support to the portfolio including reviewing and responding to letters of inquiry from grant seekers, supporting due diligence for potential grants, keeping the program up-to-date on relevant news developments, and monitoring grantee progress.  The administrative work in support of the TC Program includes editing and proofing grantmaking dockets and program budget in advance of each of three annual board meetings; scheduling meetings/phone calls and arranging travel schedules for the TC Program's professional staff members; organizing mid-size special events that support the program's goals; creating expense reports; speaking directly with grantees, grant seekers and Surdna's Board of Directors.  There are also grants management responsibilities including writing discretionary grant recommendations and working with the Director of Systems and Communications to track incoming proposals, grants, and grantee reports for the TC Program.  The PA will also work closely with the Office Administrator in maintaining office systems. The PA works as a part of a small team of Program Associates supporting the other grantmaking areas, providing mutual support on large projects and peak load periods.

The candidate should be an excellent collaborative worker, an agile problem solver with the ability to handle several administrative tasks simultaneously, and be able to maintain patience and composure while handling competing demands.  This position offers exceptional access to the arts and culture community and to the practice of philanthropy, and provides a great experience for a candidate interested in the role of arts in the building of communities.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required. A degree in an arts field is strongly preferred.
• Previous office/administrative experience is required. Previous experience working with budgets is preferred.
• Previous nonprofit or foundation experience is a plus.
• An interest in nonprofit/arts and culture is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook is required.
• Excellent analytical thinking, narrative writing, speaking, research, scheduling, and editing skills.
• A strong team-player, detail- and task-oriented, with diplomatic, professional manner, and a sense of humor.
• Commitment to applying skills broadly within Surdna in support of the foundation's mission.

Competitive salary and excellent benefits.

Surdna Foundation is an equal opportunity employer

Please send resume and cover letter to:

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