Program Associate; MF

The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation (CGMF) is a mission-driven grantmaking foundation that seeks innovative, sustainable solutions for human and environmental problems. The foundation funds high impact projects in Texas at the nexus of environmental protection, social equity, and economic vibrancy. The Mitchell Foundation’s Sustainability Program focuses on initiatives related to water, clean energy, land conservation, and sustainability education with a strict focus on Texas.

The foundation’s other programs focus on carrying out the legacy of Cynthia and George Mitchell, including a community revitalization effort in Galveston, Texas.

POSITION:

The Program Associate (PA) is responsible for the primary administrative and program related support to the foundation’s sustainability program team. The team includes the Vice President of Sustainability Programs and Program Officers. The PA is responsible for working across the organization, with grant administration, program, and executive staff to ensure that communication, operational, and program activities are carried out professionally and smoothly.

The PA role is both programmatic and administrative. The PA will actively engage in the sustainability program grantmaking and strategy development through program-related research, grantee interaction, and support for numerous substantive convenings and workshops organized by program staff.

Administratively, the PA will review grant proposals and reports, administer the grants management database (Fluxx), monitor the budget and grant cycle, write program reports and updates, provide technical support and counseling to grantees related to proposal submission, and support communication activities that range from story generation to content editing using the Chicago Manual of Style.

The PA, in coordination with the President and VP, may also manage key operational issues related to program execution associated with the expected growth of the foundation over the next few years.

As part of a small office, the PA is considered a representative of the Mitchell Foundation. This position requires the ability to work independently and exercise initiative, critical analysis, discretion, and judgment to ensure informed decision-making related to the core responsibility of executing and managing grants.

The ideal candidate is a systems thinker with a commitment to sustainability and Texas. The most fitting candidate will have a demonstrated interest in holding sustainability concepts as the framework to measure public policy debates and decisions. In addition, the successful candidate is able to manage several tasks and demands simultaneously, and has the ability to gather information, draw conclusions, and make recommendations regarding complex problems and issues.

The candidate must be confident, flexible, comfortable with change, and have the ability to work independently and with colleagues.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Screen and manage unsolicited grant inquires to determine fit with CGMF priorities. Request additional information from organizations, if necessary, to complete review. Communicate declinations and the rationale for it to the grantseeker orally and/or in writing.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of the priorities and grantee selection criteria for the sustainability program. Respond to telephone or email requests for program information.
• Conduct research and data analysis as requested by VP/PO on program-related topics. Remain abreast of current research, activities, and trends in philanthropy and sustainability by reviewing professional publications, and attending related conferences and meetings.
• Develop and maintain research on potential grantees and partner institutions. Assist colleagues gather background information, history, and organizational data on prospective grantees to inform the grant review process. Review grant proposals and reports and ensure content is appropriate and all necessary documents are included.
• Coordinate and assist grantees with the Foundation’s grantmaking process by requesting additional information when needed, responding to questions, notifying them of…