Job Title: Program Officer, REJ Fund
Reports to: Program Director, REJ Fund
Department: Programs
Employment Classification: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Band: MIN $92,000 | MID $115,000 | MAX $138,000
About Borealis Philanthropy
From Black-led movement-building to queer and trans liberation to disability justice and inclusion, community organizers are working every day to bring about transformational change. Borealis Philanthropy exists to listen to, invest in, and support them. Our staff of experts come from the communities we serve and bring their lived experiences, values, and visions to the work of supporting community-driven change through collaboration with grantees and funders. As a Racial Equity in Journalism (REJ) Fund Program Officer, you will play a crucial role in this process, empowering and integral to the support of community-driven change.
As a philanthropic intermediary, Borealis Philanthropy builds bridges between funders and organizers by creating opportunities for impact-driven investments. We team with funders to conceive, develop, and implement grantmaking initiatives that resource the many innovative organizations within our respective grantmaking funds. In partnering with philanthropy, we remove barriers to funding for grassroots organizations and invest in intersectional movements, building a future that serves all of us.
Our Values
Alchemy + Healing, Atrevida + Audacity, Accountability + Integrity, Ubuntu + Interconnectedness
About the Fund
Launched in 2019, the Racial Equity in Journalism Fund organizes financial, social, cultural, and intellectual capital to resource a cooperative network of journalism institutions led by and serving Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and SWANA communities. Our vision is a future where everyone, regardless of race or background, belongs and has the information required for full democratic participation in society. Our goal is to actualize this in every community where partner institutions exist as a way to iterate possibilities, media access and accurate journalism. Our donor collaborative fund seeks to address the capital and resource gaps faced by these organizations. Recognizing that organizational development and technological improvements are critical to the success of people of color-led media, the Racial Equity in Journalism Fund provides general support and capacity-building resources to help its grantees invest in the long-term sustainability of their work.
Job Overview
As part of a team of three, the Program Officer leads the design and implementation of programming, grantmaking, and other activities for the REJ Fund. The Program Officer provides day-to-day oversight of key program activities, including identifying new potential grantees that align with the Fund's strategy and supporting existing grantees through networking, direct technical assistance, and connections to additional resources. Under minimal oversight and within overall objectives, the Program Officer resolves complex problems and assesses strategies to enhance program processes and systems for consideration and review.
Responsibilities
Build Strong Relationships with Grantees and Staff: The REJ Program Officer serves as a primary point of contact for the Fund, establishing and maintaining relationships with prospective grantee partners, current grantees, and other key constituents.
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Plans, designs, and implements the core work of the REJ Fund, including developing annual goals and strategy, managing day-to-day grantmaking, grantee capacity building, and learning and evaluation in partnership with the REJ Fund Director;
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Provides analysis of the field and the REJ portfolio, identifying gaps and opportunities for new grants and outreach strategies targeting key communities and organizations;
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Manages much of the day-to-day work of the Fund, including liaising with grantees, while supervising senior/program associates and consultants;
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Creates and executes program work plans;
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Partners with program associates and grants management staff to implement grantmaking processes;
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Managing the grantmaking process for the Fund, including designing LOIs (letters of inquiry) and RFPs (requests for proposals), reviewing proposals and reports, and presenting at grantmaking decision conversations with advisory and donor committees, as well as the Borealis Board. The REJ Program Officer will have a significant role in these processes, ensuring that they align with the Fund's strategy and values.
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Researching and tracking updates on emerging trends in philanthropy, advocacy, policy, and other relevant program topics; and
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Gathering data, performing analysis, and preparing reports on program information and activities for stakeholder audiences, including donors and grant partners.
Strategic Program Support: The REJ Program Officer supports and influences the Fund�s strategic direction, goals, and departmental processes.
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In partnership with the REJ Program Director, plans, designs, and implements program(s), including:
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managing day-to-day grantmaking
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peer learning/networking
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organizational support and technical assistance for grant partners
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grantee revenue diversity, and
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program operations.
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Supervise and support program support contractors and consultants;
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Identifies and develops vital partnerships to complement REJ Fund work, support grantees, and strengthen the environment for BIPOC journalism and media makers;
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Gathers data, performs analysis, and prepares reports on program/project information and activities for stakeholder audiences, including donors and grant partners;
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Researches and tracks updates on emerging trends in media, journalism, technology, philanthropy, and other relevant program topics; and
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Assists with identifying opportunities to raise the visibility of grantee work to new funders and partners
Be a Thought (and Do) Partner to the Fund Director: The REJ Program Officer works closely with the Program Director to ensure the department is responsive to the needs of grantees, movement partners, donors, and other key constituents. The REJ Program Officer:
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Supports the REJ Program Director in preparing proposals, written summaries, reporting, and other communication materials to donors or prospective donors
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Supports the REJ Program Director and Development department in building and maintaining relationships with new and existing donors to provide donor learning opportunities, plan and participate in donor meetings, and solicit support
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Partners with the REJ Program Director to produce detailed donor memos for docket presentations, learning events, and rapid response funding
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Collaborate with the Communications department to develop short- and long-term strategic communications goals, create fundraising collateral, and clear messaging to reach key audiences effectively.
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Facilitate at program-related events and co-facilitate at donor-related events
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Support development of a measurement framework for po??rtfolio and track data from grant partners; manage consultants for evaluation support
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Capture and aggregate grantee milestones and learnings aligned to REJ Fund goals to inform strategy, as well as external case-making
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Update the learning questions in collaboration with REJ Fund stakeholders and manage research as necessary.
Budgeting and Program Operations
Other Duties: As a member of the Borealis staff, the REJ Program Officer performs certain functions that are not specific to their job but support the organization as a whole. This includes:
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Submitting and approving expense reports and approving timecards by stated deadlines
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Attending all staff meetings, required trainings, and events
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Participating in organizational development and change processes, including serving on committees or special project teams
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Model Borealis� culture and values; align outcomes, practices, and communications within the organization�s culture
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Manage special projects and other duties as assigned
Education & Experience
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Minimum (5) years of experience in journalism / media in a business, operations, technology, or editorial role, or as an entrepreneur
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Experience working with community or local media serving diverse populations with a community-centered and community-engagement approach
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Familiarity with day-to-day issues concerning news organizations, as well as broader trends in journalism concerning local BIPOC communities and the impacts of technology and innovation as it relates to both digital-only and legacy print publications
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Experience with goal-setting, planning, and measurement
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Understanding of nonprofits and philanthropy; Grantmaking experience preferred
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Experience using systems and tools such as Salesforce, Zoom, Google Suite, Slack, and Asana
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Demonstrated project management skills and a successful track record of leading multiple projects, including planning, organizing, directing, supervising, and accomplishing set goals within timeline and budget
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Bilingual Spanish a plus
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Bachelor�s degree with at least five years (5) of experience preferred; or a combination of education and experience
Competencies (Knowledge, Skills & Personal/ Behavioral Attributes)
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Excellent communication skills and experience designing/developing communications products in a variety of formats
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Demonstrated problem-solving, solution development, and analytical skills
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Demonstrated experience working and building relationships with internal and external stakeholders
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Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
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Ability to interact and network effectively with all levels of staff, including senior leadership
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Ability to work with and effectively communicate with external partners, including grantees, funders, and partners
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Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and to think conceptually, strategically, and learn quickly
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Ability to meet deadlines, adhere to project plans, and work on several projects simultaneously
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Ability to identify and mitigate risks to the program, exercising sound judgment
Work Environment (Conditions and Physical Demands)
This job operates in a professional, virtual, home office or co-working environment, with local and national travel. In line with Borealis� commitments to racial equity and disability justice, our current policy is that no staff member's travel or attendance at in-person meetings is required at this time. If team members are interested in attending in-person events, Borealis will, as needed, work to make reasonable accommodations to ensure their health and safety.
This role routinely uses standard office equipment, including a laptop computer and cell phone. The employee is generally required to spend long periods sitting, typing, and working at a computer. Accommodations will be made based on ability and accessibility.
Commitment to Disability, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Borealis is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact nphr@borealisphilanthropy.org. Borealis is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, sex, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive staff team. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color, LGBTQ, women, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities, and/or formerly incarcerated people.
This role hires within the continental United States (49 states), plus the District of Columbia. Candidates must have eligibility to work within the United States.
