Program Outreach Associate; BFG

Founded in 1987 and located in San Francisco’s Presidio, the Biodiversity Funders Group is a professional association of grantmakers with a shared vision for a sustainable, just and healthy future for all life on Earth, advanced by a vibrant and effective philanthropic sector.

BFG supports member-driven programs and special initiatives that focus on climate change and energy, marine ecosystems, land and freshwater conservation, conservation science, the Gulf of California and Mexico, the Andean-Amazon Basin, and international biodiversity issues. With an annual budget of $1.8M and a staff of nine, BFG hosts convenings, briefings, and other educational offerings such as webinars throughout the year. (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

The mission of BFG’s Climate and Energy Funders Group (CEFG) is to create a strong and effective funding community committed to combatting climate change and building a global clean energy economy. We do this by:

• Building knowledge, promoting learning, information sharing, and dialogue.
• Facilitating funder collaboration and connectivity.
• Sustaining and expanding the field of climate and energy philanthropy.

The CEFG Program Outreach Associate will work closely with the Program Director and participating foundations. The successful candidate will be a core team member charged with meeting the growing needs of the CEFG. This is a mid-level/early career position designed to support focused funder work groups and collaboratives, comprised of funders working together in a specific geography (e.g. the Midwest) or around a strategic focus (e.g. carbon pricing);

topics will shift as needs and opportunities shift in the climate and clean energy arena. The Program Outreach Associate will cultivate, manage and grow key relationships and build the funder collaborations. The current work groups are the Carbon Pricing Workgroup, Energy Efficiency Workgroup, and the Midwest Climate and Energy Funders Group.

The position includes a variety of programmatic, communication, administrative, and outreach responsibilities.

• Work with foundations in the CEFG network and the Program Director to identify and support funder collaboratives or work groups around key issues or target geographies.
• Schedule and coordinate work group meetings, including logistics and agenda development.
• Expand the work groups through outreach.
• Manage monthly webinars including programming, scheduling speakers, holding planning calls, and managing the technology.
• Coordinate with advocates working on strategic topics and regions identified as a high priority.
• Help manage online connectivity, including listservs for CEFG and work groups.
• Facilitate identifying priorities and goals for CEFG and work groups.
• Assist the Program Director in general learning and networking activities.
• Assist in developing grant proposals and reports.
• Prepare and distribute a monthly email update to funders.
• Track expenses and prepare budgets.
• Represent CEFG at various meetings.
• Respond to foundations requests for information and support.
• Travel requirement: 5-10% of time (4-6 out of town meetings per year).

The successful candidate will have the following qualities, skills, and experience:

• Experience working with a network or coalition.
• Knowledge of climate change policy, programs and organizations.
• General knowledge of nonprofit program management procedures.
• Strong desire to work for an environmental organization and/or non-profit.
• Strong desire to carry out CEFG’s and BFG’s vision, mission and goals.
• Experience with outreach, communication and networking.
• Logistical skills in planning and implementing conferences and meetings.
• Experience in writing grant proposals.
• Resourceful nature, able to multitask,…