Policy Coordinator

Organizational Context

Forefront is one of few statewide associations in the US whose membership includes grantmakers, operating nonprofits, and their advisors. Members are its primary customers. Within the context of the mission, Forefront programs are designed to provide opportunities for networking, education, policy engagement, leadership development, and collaboration among members.

The Policy Coordinator supports the Policy Manager and collaborates closely with the Director of Policy & Government Affairs as a member of Forefront’s policy team to effectively engage Forefront stakeholders and advance Forefront’s mission and vision. In collaboration with the Director, Policy Manager, and other members of the Forefront team, the Coordinator is responsible for scheduling, planning, payment processing, routine reporting, data management and staying abreast of current events.

The Coordinator backs up the Policy Manager in Springfield as needed and supports the success of Forefront’s participation in events in Washington DC.

Under the direction of the Director and in close coordination with the Policy Manager:

• Track priority legislation in public affairs software
• In the absence of the Director and Manager, represent Forefront at policy-focused meetings hosted by National and State partners/coalitions
• Proactively brief Director on state policy issues, opportunities, and potential hazards in coordination with the Policy Manager
• Stay abreast of federal and state news pertaining to the nonprofit sector and communities we serve
• Schedule virtual and in-person meetings with elected officials, public and constitutional offices, and staff at all levels of government as requested by the Director and Policy Manager
• Manage calendar holds and send meeting materials in advance
• Register with the Secretary of State as an exclusive lobbyist for Forefront and comply with all related reporting requirements
• As a backup to, or in the absence of, the Director and Policy Manager, support Forefront’s engagement with elected officials at all levels of government and their staff, including in Springfield
• Regularly and promptly log government relations actions public affairs software, including on behalf of the Director, in conjunction with the Policy Manager
• Submit routine lobbying reports on behalf of the Policy Manager
• As directed, schedule and support other planning and administrative tasks related to the meetings in Washington DC; attend Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) annually to support the Director and Illinois delegation members

• Serve as a backup to the Policy Manager as a liaison with Forefront’s communications team
• Help draft policy-related updates for Forefront’s bi-weekly newsletter, weekly social media, and public affairs software broadcasts/calls to action
• Make routine updates to federal and state fact sheets, policy-related Word Press website pages, and other collateral related to policy priorities
• Maintain accurate contact information in Forefront’s policy-related contact lists in Voter Voice and Salesforce
• Support recruiting and onboarding of new members of the Policy Committee, including related meeting scheduling and document preparation
• In coordination with the CEO’s Executive Assistant, support scheduling and other meeting planning logistics for the policy committee
• Maintain accurate records of policy committee membership in Salesforce and other internal documents

• In collaboration with the Policy Manager, support membership orientations on behalf of the policy team by making updates to presentation content, providing links and resources in chat, or presenting in the absence of the Manager
• Provide backup and support to the Policy Manager for policy educational events by brainstorming content, accomplishing tasks on the program-planning checklist, and appropriately delegating to/partnering with other staff;
• Support Member Briefings by contributing relevant information for staff-led news summaries
• Coordinate scheduling, equipment, registration, catering, security clearance, and room and technology set up for relevant Policy…