Program Associate, Economic Opportunity

The Fidelity Foundations are a group of private foundations that fund a diverse set of programs on a national scale. The Fidelity Foundations are committed to advancing the long-term vibrancy of communities through capacity-building investments in arts and culture, conservation, health, and economic opportunity-focused non-profits.

Fidelity Foundations’ grantmaking seeks to build the capacity of leaders and organizations tackling important societal challenges and promoting thriving communities. We are dedicated to strengthening organizations by fostering robust partnerships and supporting projects that enhance our grantees’ long-term success. Each program centers on the ecosystems’ needs and identifies where our capacity-building grants can have the greatest impact.

We have a deep history of funding organizations in Boston and New England for over 50 years and also supporting communities in specific regions nationwide. Today, the Foundations are at an important and exciting stage in our organizational history, having grown and evolved in recent years. As our strategies and organization continue to develop, we are seeking individuals with skills and expertise that support the advancement and execution of a long-term portfolio of significant and strategic philanthropic investments.

Our values of excellence, integrity, respect, collaboration, and a deep sense of humility guide our quiet grantmaking.

The Economic Opportunity portfolio seeks to advance economic mobility by investing in the systems, organizations, and supports that enable individuals to build stable, self-directed lives—regardless of the circumstances into which they are born.

It concentrates on key life stages where targeted interventions can shift long-term trajectories:

• Early Childhood:Advancing healthy starts through maternal and child health, strong family supports, and high-quality early learning environments
• Adolescence:Building critical skills, relationships, and future pathways through mentorship, enrichment, and career exposure
• Young Adulthood:Supporting transitions to the workforce through postsecondary attainment, credentialing, and connections to quality employment

Across all areas, organizations with strong leadership, evidence of impact, and alignment with regional needs are prioritized. The Economic Opportunity grantmaking is primarily focused in Boston and across Massachusetts, with growing investments in select communities throughout New England. Our grantmaking is done quietly, and most grants are awarded anonymously.

The Program Associate ensures the effective execution of the Economic Opportunity team’s work through managing workflows, coordinating systems and data, and supporting the delivery of high-quality materials that enable team decision making. As an execution partner to the Program Director and a central project manager for the team, they coordinate projects, monitor progress, and ensure initiatives move forward smoothly with consistency, accuracy and reliability.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as project manager for board cycles and other team-wide initiatives, ensuring timeline adherence and managing quality control
• Partner closely with members of the team to translate strategic priorities into actional plans and ensure strong follow-through
• Coordinate team meetings by setting agendas, preparing briefing materials, and maintaining shared knowledge resources
• Anticipate risks, bottlenecks, and information needs and proactively address them
• Maintain and improve systems, tools, and processes to increase efficiency and clarity

• Partner with program leadership to synthesize information, surface insights, and help prioritize efforts
• Monitor progress against goals and proactively identify risks, gaps, and opportunities for improvement
  
  Draft and edit materials—including presentations, memos, meeting summaries, grant letters, and reports—with clarity and professionalism that enable decision-making by Foundations leadership
• Track, monitor, and report on active and prospective grants,…