Program Officer – Policy Initiatives

Open Position:
Program Officer – Policy Initiatives

Program Officer – Policy Initiatives

Location: New York City (in-person with travel)

Reports to: Director of Policy Initiatives

At a consequential moment in Jewish history, Maimonides Fund (MF) is expanding our grantmaking and programmatic work in service of our mission in North America and Israel. Through strategic investments and targeted initiatives, including publishing SAPIR:
Ideas for a Thriving Jewish Future, we support serious ideas, strengthen institutions, and help to advance durable impact across North American Jewish communal life and for the State and People of Israel.

The Opportunity

In early 2026, MF created a new Department of Policy Initiatives, putting particular emphasis on expanding our portfolio of grants and programs that use policy, legal and other strategies to combat antisemitism, support Jewish life in America, educate about Israel, and strengthen the U.S.

-Israel relationship. The Department of Policy Initiatives serves as a hub for:

• Policy analysis, advocacy, and strategic communications related to Jewish life, Israel, antisemitism, and viewpoint diversity.
• Grantmaking and program development for these areas.
• Strategic partnerships with think tanks, academic institutions, communications and media efforts, and advocacy organizations.

We now seek to hire a Program Officer to play a central role in developing this new portfolio, becoming an expert in grantmaking, nonprofit finance, and change making, while working with MF staff, philanthropic partners, field experts, practitioners, and thought leaders to identify innovative ideas and interventions to advance this work.

Our Program Officers are issue-area specialists who have substantial responsibility for growing and sustaining portfolios of grants in our various focus areas. Program Officers contribute to developing our philanthropic strategy and actively participate in grantmaking by seeking, developing, recommending, and administering grants in their program areas. Program Officers are expected to build networks and partnerships around issues central to our mission;

develop expertise in their program areas; communicate and advocate for systemic change; and multiply the impact of our investments and influence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of grants, including performing due diligence, site visits, progress assessment, and evaluating current and potential grantees and partners;
• Evaluate invited grant requests, including detailed financial statements and complex narratives;
• Prepare research memos, proposal analyses, and policy papers in areas of program interest;
• Work alongside colleagues in developing and executing new grantmaking strategies and in planning and executing Maimonides Fund-sponsored programs and events;
• Maintain and expand upon a breadth of knowledge to enhance MF’s strategies, including current trends, emerging issues, evaluations, academic literature, policy interventions, and innovations;
• Represent Maimonides Fund within the nonprofit and philanthropic communities, including local and national site visits, conferences, and events. Communicate with grantees, thinkers, field professionals, and funding colleagues on a regular basis, both seeking and providing information and recommendations necessary to support the efficacy and efficiency of MF’s philanthropy.

You have:

• 10+ years of experience in a professional office environment;
• Engagement with policy questions through work in government, nonprofit, journalism, or related means;
• An excellent working knowledge of the organized Jewish community and Israel;
• Demonstrated experience distilling complex information to form opinions, vocalize arguments, develop recommendations, and navigate implementation;
• Strong project management and operational experience;
• Exceptional quantitative and qualitative analytic and financial skills, including financial review and analysis and data-informed research;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
• Sound professional judgment, objectivity, tact, and humility.

Other Desirable Skillsets and

Experience:

No candidate will have all of these, but please indicate relevant…