Posted on January 25, 2013

print

Director of Grantmaking and Community Initiatives

Horizons Foundation fuels the LGBT movement by increasing philanthropic support for diverse San Francisco Bay Area nonprofits; strengthening organizations and their leaders; mobilizing donors and funders to inspire giving; and securing the LGBT community’s future for generations to come through endowment and planned giving. Founded in 1980, Horizons was the world’s first community foundation focused on LGBT issues. For more information about our programs, please see our website at www.horizonsfoundation.org. The foundation’s offices are located in downtown San Francisco.

Position Summary

Horizons Foundation seeks a Director of Grantmaking & Community Initiatives (DGCI) to lead and oversee the foundation’s diverse grantmaking, leadership programs, and other community initiatives. Key qualifications include proven ability and drive to create grantmaking and other programs; expertise in grantmaking, program management, and evaluation; deep experience in, knowledge of, and commitment to the LGBT community; superb organizational and communications skills; and desire and capacity to form relationships marked by trust, respect, and collaboration with highly diverse constituencies, including nonprofit organizations and their leaders

This position is three-quarters time (0.75 FTE), supported by the foundation’s Administrative Manager, and reports to the Executive Director. There is potential for the position to increase to full time.

Position Responsibilities

Chief responsibilities include strategic development, grantmaking, program management, and donor support. In addition, the DGCI is a member of the foundation’s senior management team and is expected to be a positive and collaborative contributor to Horizons’ overall management and leadership.

Strategic development

• Working with the Executive Director and Board’s Program Committee, take a leading role in developing the vision and strategy for all of Horizons’ grants and programs to support nonprofits and leaders working to promote LGBT people and causes
• Ensure that Horizons remains simultaneously thoughtful and consistent in its strategies and capable of responding speedily and strategically to emerging community needs
• Develop and cultivate extensive, respectful, and productive relationships within community of nonprofit organizations serving and advocating for the LGBT community
• Lead the foundation’s efforts to evaluate and learn from its grantmaking and other programs

Grantmaking

• Lead the review, development, and refinement of grantmaking strategies, policies, priorities, and procedures in concert with Executive Director, Board Program Committee, and other senior staff
• Direct and facilitate all aspects of grantmaking processes, including recruitment and coordination of community-based grant allocation committee(s) as appropriate
• Coordinate grantmaking and related activities for partnerships with other foundations
• Monitor and analyze evolving needs and trends in the LGBT community and among LGBT nonprofit organizations
• With development staff, identify and pursue creative opportunities for new grantmaking programs, including special funds for identified priority issues

Leadership Development

• Oversee Horizons’ leadership project for board members of LGBT-focused organizations
• Support Horizons’ monthly convenings of executive directors of LGBT-focused organizations
• Lead development of other leadership-development programming, including the “Emerging Leaders Program” currently under development

Community Initiatives

• Lead development and execution of community initiatives such as public and/or leadership convenings around issues facing the LGBT community
• With the executive director, conceive of and execute value-added research on LGBT nonprofits and research on specific LGBT issues

Donor support

• Help Director of Development & Gift Planning to develop grantmaking opportunities for individual donors
• Support development and implementation of donor circles and/or other special funds for identified priority issues

Other responsibilities include:

1. Provide staff support to board program committee and attend bi-monthly board meetings
2. Represent Horizons at community events and Horizons-led events
3. Oversee refinement and ensure smooth functioning of Horizons’ organizational database
4. Other responsibilities as needed and assigned

Requirements

Candidates must have highest level of professionalism and demonstrated ability to create and implement effective grantmaking and other programs. Experience in program design, leadership, and management is essential. Must have strong orientation toward service to grantee community and proven ability to forge strong relationships with highly diverse constituencies. Must thrive on working in a fast-paced, highly mission-driven nonprofit environment and have flexibility to facilitate and attend periodic evening events

Desired qualifications include:

• Three-plus years’ experience in grantmaking
• Demonstrated ability and drive to create, develop, implement, and evaluate programmatic initiatives
• Capacity to establish and nurture relationships with diverse grassroots, service, and advocacy organizations serving all parts of the LGBT community
• Experience working in a foundation environment highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Excellent research and analysis skills
• Knowledge of the LGBT community, LGBT nonprofit organizations, and the LGBT movement
• Deep motivation and drive to serve and strengthen the LGBT community
• Undergraduate degree or higher (commensurate experience may be considered)

Compensation

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. Position eligible for complete and excellent benefit package, including health, dental, vacation, and 403(b). (Insurance benefits will be available as they are for a full-time employee).

Application Instructions

To Apply

Submit resume and letter of interest to:

Director of Grantmaking Search
Attn: Nikole Pagan
Horizons Foundation
550 Montgomery Street, Suite 700
San Francisco, CA 94111

Or submit to npagan@horizonsfoundation.org. Please, principals only, and no calls or faxes.

POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED

ANTICIPATED HIRE DATE: SPRING 2013

While prompt applications are encouraged, applicants are also asked to note the anticipated search timeline above. We thank you in advance for understanding the need for a thorough process for this important position.