Program Director at Herbert Simon Family Foundation

Our client, the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, is growing and adding up to three Program Directors to lead specific impact areas! About the Herbert Simon Family Foundation

Established in 1999, the Herbert Simon Family Foundation seeks to align the Herbert Simon family across generations to champion the people and ideas that move Indianapolis and Indiana forward. The Foundation supports organizations and leaders working to create communities that are more just, compassionate, resilient, and forward-thinking, with a focus on Arts & Culture, Basic Needs, Environment & Climate, Equity & Justice, and Jewish Causes.

HSFF is growing its dedicated staff and grantmaking capacity by adding up to three Program Directors to lead specific program areas. The Program Directors will serve as outward-facing leaders for assigned impact areas, building trusted community relationships, developing deep subject-matter knowledge, managing grantmaking workflows, and helping move strategic opportunities from idea to execution.

The Program Director is a proactive, intellectually curious, and relationship-oriented professional who can pair strong judgment with a sense of urgency. This person will manage an assigned portfolio of grantees and community relationships, assess grant opportunities, develop recommendations, support Board decision-making, and help the Foundation continually improve its grantmaking strategy and practice.

Prior foundation or grantmaking experience is helpful but not required. We are interested in candidates with meaningful experience in the nonprofit, public, philanthropic, or related sectors who can quickly build credibility in one or more of HSFF's impact areas.

The selected Program Directors will join HSFF in January 2027.

• Manage an assigned grantmaking portfolio, including inbound inquiries, application timelines, due diligence, proposal review, recommendations, reporting, and ongoing relationship management.
• Review grant applications, organizational information, budgets and reports and translate findings into clear, thoughtful recommendations for the Executive Director and Board.
• Build authentic relationships with grantees, nonprofit leaders, community partners, peer funders and other stakeholders.
• Develop deep knowledge of the issues, organizations, leaders and opportunities within an assigned impact area.
• Identify emerging needs, promising approaches, strategic partnerships and opportunities for proactive investment or system-level impact.
• Convene stakeholders and participate in community meetings, site visits, events, and other external activities on behalf of the Foundation.
• Prepare concise, decision-ready materials for Board meetings and support follow-up on grantmaking decisions.
• Research and help develop new strategic initiatives, community programs, learning opportunities, and special projects.
• Partner with other Program Directors and Foundation leadership on cross-portfolio priorities and shared learning.
• Help ensure applicants and grantees experience the Foundation as thoughtful, responsive, respectful, and clear.
• Balance strong analysis and attention to detail with the ability to move work forward at a swift pace.
• Contribute to a growing team culture grounded in candor, humility, learning, accountability, and care for people.

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in the nonprofit, public, philanthropic, or related sectors.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, or meaningful experience related to, at least one HSFF impact area, including Arts + Culture, Basic Needs, Environment + Climate, Equity + Justice, and Jewish Causes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office/365, Salesforce or similar CRM, project management software…