Program Manager, Community Funds

Program Manager, Community Funds

Join OC Sports & Entertainment’s Samueli Foundation team to help create and develop the future of live entertainment and sports in Orange County! A great experience starts with you.

Enrich the lives in our community through shared experiences, welcoming spaces, and responsible actions.

We will be the social and entertainment center of Orange County – a place where the cultural kaleidoscope of the region converges and connects. Our vibrant, rich collection of experiences will celebrate the diversity of our community.

Be Safe | Do the Right Thing | Be Generous | Include Everyone | Make it Easy | Be Bold

Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, the Program Manager of Community Funds will oversee the execution and continuous improvement of the Foundation’s open‑application community funds, including the Breakaway Fund and Build OC Fund. The role will manage the full grantmaking lifecycle, including fund awareness, applicant management, grantee diligence, portfolio analysis, and ongoing learning. The ideal candidate is highly organized, community‑oriented, passionate about philanthropy’s role in supporting nonprofits, unafraid of innovation, and thrives in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.

• Manage the end‑to‑end lifecycle of open‑call funding opportunities, from application design and management to grantee portfolio analysis.
• Lead applicant management process, responding to external inquiries, ensuring accessibility of processes, and guiding organizations through the application lifecycle using our grants management system.
• Design and implement external review processes, including recruitment, training, and calibration of input from volunteer reviewers and subject matter experts.
• Synthesize reviewer input and conduct portfolio analyses to develop funding recommendations for leadership and board consideration.
• Collect and analyze data using our database to inform decision‑making and continuous improvement efforts.
• Partner with Grants Management and Finance teams to ensure timely and accurate communications, disbursements, and compliance tracking.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for applicants during the funding cycle, ensuring clear, timely, and respectful communication.
• Assist in managing relationships with nonprofit leaders, community stakeholders, and other partners to support the Foundation’s open‑call processes.
• Represent the Foundation at community events, convenings, and sector gatherings to promote funding opportunities and deepen local engagement.
• Represent the Foundation in external meetings, coalitions, and public forums to surface insights, identify emerging opportunities, and position the Foundation as a trustworthy partner.
• Lead efforts to coordinate events, such as partner appreciation gatherings and convening sector leaders around critical topics, in coordination with the President and the Foundation team.
• Play a vital role in managing relationships with partners, including ongoing communications.
• Respond to requests for information and resources or refer to the appropriate Foundation contact.

• Provide scheduling and logistical support for internal and external meetings related to fund management in partnership with the Chief Program Officer.
• Assist with internal coordination by drafting agenda items, taking meeting notes, and tracking follow‑up actions across teams.
• Extract and synthesize insights from open call cycles to inform broader grantmaking strategies.
• Collaborate with program colleagues to document lessons learned and contribute to Foundation‑wide learning.
• Work with grants management, IT, and external vendors to troubleshoot any issues with our grants management portal.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, community development, or public administration.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in grantmaking, program management, or nonprofit sector leadership.
• Comfortable with, or willing to learn, a range of tools including Microsoft Office, Giving Data, and emerging AI‑powered technologies.
• Demonstrated…