Program Associate

The Carlson Family Foundation was founded by Curtis and Arleen Carlson in 1959. The Foundation’s mission is to work together with the community to create opportunity, hope, and a sense of belonging for every young person. As our Foundation continues to evolve, we aspire to achieve outsized impact and recognize that this requires us to be creative, deeply engaged, and committed to learning.

In 2021, the Carlson Family Foundation launched our new funding strategies, which are rooted in youth and community voice, becoming an anti-racist organization, and employing effective grantmaking strategies. Our grantmaking focuses on three main areas:
Constellation – surrounding young people with caring adults;
Sex Trafficking Prevention- ending sex trafficking and exploitation of young people; and Vibrant Communities – supporting the vibrancy of our local communities.

The newly created full time Program Associate position will work collaboratively with the program and grants management staff to provide high-quality program administration, grants management, evaluation and learning support, relationship management, and annual organizational workplan support. This position will report to the Constellation Strategy Program Director but will work across all the Foundation’s funding priorities and collaborate with other team members.

The program associate will manage multiple projects and deadlines across the funding strategy areas exhibiting critical thinking and effective communication. This individual will have a growth mindset, commitment to racial equity and anti-racism, and employ an entrepreneurial approach. Our office is based in Minnetonka and we offer a hybrid work environment.