Senior Strategy Officer

Modesto, California|Full-Time, Exempt|Reports to President & CEO

Established in 2002, the Stanislaus Community Foundation (SCF) is the central philanthropic institution of Stanislaus County — a community of 557,000 residents in California's Central Valley. With over $63M in assets, 228 active funds, and $9.4M in recent annual grantmaking, SCF has evolved from a transactional grantmaker into a catalytic leader working to build a thriving, resilient, and equitable community. SCF operates the Porges Nonprofit Excellence Initiative, supports civic infrastructure investments such as the new nonprofit newsroom The Modesto Focus, and incubates the Stanislaus 2030 economic transformation initiative.

SCF is developing a bold 10-year leadership framework that will guide its work through 2037 — advancing systems-change strategies across five community domains including economic opportunity, youth development, health, civic life, and housing.

The Senior Strategy Officer is one of two senior program officers responsible for designing, leading, and managing SCF’s community impact work within specific domains of the emerging 10-year framework. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Senior Strategy Officer serves as both a strategic thinker and a hands‑on practitioner — building the community partnerships, grantmaking strategies, and cross‑sector relationships that advance SCF’s mission.

This is not a grants processing role. The Senior Strategy Officer is one of two leadership positions that develop strategy, work across sectors, represent SCF credibly in the community, and help translate a bold organizational vision into programs and partnerships that produce real change in Stanislaus County.

The ideal candidate brings 6–10 years of experience in philanthropy, community development, or a related field; demonstrated success building partnerships and programs; and a genuine connection to and curiosity about the Central Valley and the communities SCF serves.

Candidates with local vested relationships and experience working with youth as well as civic engagement efforts are encouraged to apply.

• Serve as an architect of specific components of SCF's 10-year leadership framework — developing strategy, priorities, and action plans within assigned community domains in close partnership with the CEO.
• Design and manage grantmaking within assigned domains — including program design, grant cycles, grantee relationships, evaluation, and alignment with community needs and donor priorities.
• Convene and build — facilitating partnerships with nonprofits, government agencies, community residents, and funders; representing SCF in regional networks and funder tables relevant to their domains.
• Lead learning and accountability within their portfolio — tracking outcomes, contributing to SCF's impact measurement framework, and bringing data and community voice into strategic decisions.

• 6–10 years of progressive experience in philanthropy, community development, nonprofit management, program design, or a related field.
• Systems awareness — able to identify gaps and opportunities within complex community ecosystems and develop creative, evidence-informed responses.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships and working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders — nonprofits, government, funders, and community members — toward shared outcomes.
• Experience working in a nonprofit or school setting with youth and also experience in civic engagement efforts more broadly. Experience in building civic leadership programs is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of and commitment to Stanislaus County or the…