Volgenau Foundation Program Officer

About The Volgenau Foundation

The Volgenau Foundation is a family foundation rooted in a longstanding commitment to honesty and service. Established by Ernst and Sara Volgenau and their three daughters, Lisa, Lauren, and Jennifer, the Foundation supports work in conservation, wildlife, education, and classical music. Today, the Foundation provides more than $14 million in support each year to organizations across the United States. Its largest area of grantmaking is conservation, including land and water conservation, wildlife protection, coexistence and connectivity, and conservation and STEM education.

The Foundation also supports youth engagement in classical music.

The Volgenau family has always been closely connected to the work it supports. The sisters have spent years building relationships with grantees, participating in site visits and convenings, and helping guide the Foundation's program work. As the Foundation evolves and the next generation of family members becomes more involved, it is building additional staff capacity while preserving the collaborative, relationship-centered approach that has shaped its philanthropy.

Learn more about The Volgenau Foundation at volgenaufoundation.org.

The Volgenau Foundation is hiring its first non-family Program Officer. This new role builds on, rather than replaces, the years of hands-on program leadership and grantee relationships developed by members of the Volgenau family. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Officer will work closely with the Foundation & Grants Administrator and the Grants Committee to manage grantee relationships, evaluate grants and outcomes, prepare recommendations, and help the Foundation continue strengthening how it learns from and assesses its grantmaking.

The right person will be thoughtful, curious, and comfortable learning from the expertise already within the Foundation while bringing sound judgment and a fresh perspective to the work.

This is a distinctive opportunity to join The Volgenau Foundation at an important point in its evolution and help shape the next chapter of its philanthropy. The Program Officer will build on years of trusted grantee relationships while staying close to the work: learning from nonprofit leaders, scientists, practitioners, family members, and peer funders and seeing firsthand what thoughtful philanthropy can make possible.

With most of the portfolio focused on conservation, the role offers the chance to deepen expertise while contributing across education and classical music. For someone curious, relationship-driven, and motivated by meaningful work, it offers unusual access, autonomy, and the chance to make a lasting contribution to a respected foundation.

Build and manage strong relationships with assigned grantees throughout the grant lifecycle, including applications, reporting, ongoing communication, and renewal discussions.

Review proposals, budgets, reports, and other materials and develop clear, thoughtful grant recommendations for the Executive Director and Grants Committee.

Participate in grantee meetings, interim reporting conversations, and site visits to deepen understanding of the work and its impact.

Help refine grantmaking criteria and practical approaches for evaluating individual grants and learning across the broader portfolio.

Prepare concise written summaries, recommendations, and program updates for the Executive Director, Grants Committee, and board.

Stay informed about trends and emerging issues in the Foundation's areas of interest, and bring relevant opportunities forward for discussion.

Represent the Foundation at selected affinity groups, funder collaboratives, convenings, and conferences.

Partner with the Foundation & Grants Administrator to maintain accurate program and grantee information in the grants-management system and support effective tracking and reporting.

3–5 years of relevant professional experience in philanthropy, nonprofit program work, foundation relations, institutional fundraising, grantmaking, conservation, or a related mission-driven field. Direct foundation experience is not required.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex information and communicate clearly with a variety of audiences.

High emotional intelligence and sound judgment, including the maturity, diplomacy, and self-awareness to work effectively with an engaged family, board…