POSITION: Program Officer for Environment, Social Justice, Community Development

REPORTS TO: Executive Director, Westchester 

LOCATION: Hartsdale, NY

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

WEBSITE: www.thenytrust.org

START DATE: November/December 2024

ABOUT US

As New York’s largest community foundation, The New York Community Trust fosters and engages in enduring and innovative philanthropy, making grants that bring together the local knowledge and expertise of its team, nonprofits, and partners to help donors fulfill their vision for the causes they love. From education and the arts to health care and the environment, The New York Community Trust seeks to improve every aspect of the cultural and civic life of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. The Trust is a philanthropic leader in the region, delivering nearly $200 million in grants in 2023 and more than $2 billion in the past decade. In addition to a distinguished competitive grantmaking program, The Trust hosts donor-advised funds (DAFs) that make grants throughout the United States and donor collaboratives that work on the leading edge of philanthropy to improve the lives of New Yorkers. Celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2024, The Trust has long been a leader in the field, with innovations ranging from establishing the first donor-advised fund in the 1930s to making landmark grants, including some of the first to fight AIDS, build the High Line, support immigrant communities in the region, and respond quickly in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Trust’s Westchester office develops, manages, and distributes philanthropic funds in a way that is highly responsive to community needs and donor interests. The Trust established its Westchester office in 1975 to provide Westchester donors with a locally focused philanthropic vehicle. Today, the Westchester office has more than 200 charitable funds, including donor-advised and permanent funds, and connects donors to The Trust’s grantmaking expertise in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester.  

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Trust – Westchester seeks a Program Officer to manage its grantmaking in the environment, social justice, and community development. This Program Officer has primary responsibility for projects and grants to preserve and restore the environment, encourage affordable housing and workforce development, and support community-led advocacy for systemic policy change. This Program Officer also will oversee smaller grant programs including the arts and animal welfare.

The Program Officer is one of two Westchester Program Officers, and reports to the Executive Director, Westchester. The Program Officer is responsible for reviewing proposals for funding, initiating projects to advance the mission of The Trust and donors’ wishes, and exploring new areas for Trust – Westchester involvement. The Program Officer will need the skills and knowledge to identify strategic opportunities for short-and long-term grant investments and exercise discretion and independent judgement accordingly.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain expertise on current and emerging issues and policy in Westchester’s environment, social justice, and community development sectors.
• Collaborate with Trust staff, outside experts, and a network of professional contacts to develop strategies for grantmaking and initiate special projects.
• Analyze and evaluate grant requests, including observing nonprofit programs and activities.
• Prepare numerous, succinct written grant recommendations for board meetings three times each year and throughout the year for grants that do not require board approval.
• Monitor and track ongoing grants and initiatives, including evaluation and reporting internally and to the board.
• Represent The Trust at sector workshops, public events, and in publications, as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with the donor, philanthropic initiatives, communications, and other departments within The Trust as well as its New York City and Long Island affiliates.

Requirements

• At least 6 years of relevant full-time professional experience in the nonprofit, public, or private sectors and an advanced degree OR 10 years of relevant full-time professional experience and a bachelor’s degree.
• Robust work experience in a direct service and/or policy environment focusing on local and countywide issues. 
• Substantive knowledge of issues affecting Westchester County, including community development, workforce and economic development, affordable housing, the environment, and social justice. (Expertise in at least one of these issue areas is required; we understand that expertise across all the listed issue areas is unlikely.)
• Possess their own transportation and valid driver’s license to attend nonprofit site visits and other events throughout Westchester County. 

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Exceptional verbal, organizational, and written communication skills. 
• Ability to participate as a team member, working collaboratively and managing projects across diverse groups.
• Ability to manage and meet internal and external deadlines while balancing competing priorities.
• Ease synthesizing and explaining complicated issues and programs.
• Ability to collaborate with nonprofits, government agencies, and other funders.
• Navigate relationships with both successful, and unsuccessful, grantseekers.
• A sense of humor, positive approach and optimistic outlook. 
• Genuine concern for social impact needs within the region. 

COMPENSATION

An annual salary of $110,000-$125,000 commensurate with the candidate’s experience. The position is on-site at our Hartsdale office, and we adhere to a hybrid work model (four days in the office and one remote), seasonal remote weeks and flexible remote days during the year. The Trust offers excellent benefits, including a pension plan, an 8% employer contribution to a 403(b)-retirement plan; partially subsidized medical insurance coverage & tiered medical plan offerings; generous paid time off, fully paid bonding leave and other benefits.

The Trust is a qualifying nonprofit organization as defined by the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. As such, Trust employees may claim their employment time on their PSLF application.
 

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply through The Trust’s HRIS platform, Paylocity.  Please upload your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample (environmental, social justice or community development related) as a single pdf document for review. We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in our recruitment process. The Trust strongly encourages members of underrepresented communities and individuals who meet most of the job requirements to apply.  

The Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, The Trust will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.
 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.