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About the organization: The Christopher Family Foundation was created in 1997 by Jay W. and Doris K. Christopher, and is an outgrowth of The Pampered Chef, a business they founded in their home in 1980. The Foundation, based in Westmont, Illinois, engages in philanthropic outreach in line with its mission and is governed by the Christopher Family Foundation Distribution Committee, which includes multiple generations of the Christopher Family.

The mission of the Christopher Family Foundation is to support family well-being.

The Foundation views its work through two key lenses: the Christian perspective of its founders and principals, and an emphasis on access and equity. Most Foundation funding is focused on the Chicago area, with special consideration for the West Side of Chicago and the Austin neighborhood.

• We support family well-being by building access to:
• Jobs that provide dignity and stability
• Entrepreneurship pathways that can build intergenerational stability
• High-quality education
• Healthy food
• Care for children and families who have experienced trauma

The Foundation also participates in a number of funder collaboratives, and each member of the Distribution Committee makes discretionary grants.

POSITION SUMMARY:

CFF seeks a motivated, self-starter to join our small program staff. This role will build out our grant making capacity, and will work across all funding areas, with the potential to build a specialization in the area of workforce funding. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help shape the direction of CFF by playing an integral role in our internal and external priorities. This position is in-office four days per week, remote one day per week, with some additional flexibility for in-person attendance at meetings and site visits.

This is an ideal opportunity for a systems and detail-oriented professional who is passionate about evidence-based methods that can help to change the lives of people living in our region. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with dynamic nonprofit organizations and local philanthropists, all the while gaining exposure to aspects of the nonprofit management, particularly in the context of a family foundation where the family remains highly active.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Internal operations and executive support (25%):
  • Oversee CFF administrative needs including, but not limited to creating and printing reports and web posts, managing external vendors and other important internal support
  • Assist with distribution committee meeting preparation, scheduling and note taking
• Communications (15%):
  • Create and send grant cycle advisory information and reporting updates to grantees within assigned portfolio
  • Contribute to newsletters and communications to CFF stakeholders. Maintain database entries for assigned grantees
• Portfolio support (50%):
  • Support reporting to our co-investors and donors’ by reviewing and assessing grantee reports on a semi-annual basis
  • Develop reporting systems and translation of data into visuals for distribution committee reporting and meetings
  • Contribute to due diligence of prospective grantees by attending site visits and educational opportunities
  • Manage portfolio pipeline lists and conduct initial screenings of prospective grantees
• Organizational leadership and other responsibilities (10%):
  • Represent CFF at conferences, educational opportunities and other events as necessary
  • Attend internal and inter-agency staff meetings
  • Other duties as assigned

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 3+ years experience in the private or nonprofit sector with a strong track record of achievement
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and WordPress
• Data-entry and reporting experience. Visualization of data skills including Tableau or other visualization method a plus
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as an ability to professionally engage with a variety of stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to be well-organized and to prioritize tasks
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of unexpected obstacles
• Self-directed work ethic, preference for small office work situation
• A growth mindset, a sense of humor and a positive attitude that is driven by a focus on priorities and not on limitations

Background and reference checks required with employment offer.

Compensation and Benefits:

The company offers a generous benefit package. Salary range for this position is $65,000-$70,000, depending on qualifications. A background and credit check will be performed for a successful candidate prior to hire.

To apply: Please send an email referring to PROGRAM ASSOCIATE POSTION in the subject line along with a resume and one-page cover letter explaining your interest and how your skills and work experience fit the position to clare@christopherff.org. Applications are due by March 31, 2023.