ORGANIZATION SUMMARY
Rochester Area Community Foundation, the region’s largest foundation, works in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county Rochester region through its leadership, dedication to racial and social justice, and strategic grantmaking.
COMMUNITY IMPACT AND POSITION SUMMARY
In an era of increasing complexity, division, and rapid change, communities face challenges that cannot be solved through grantmaking alone. Philanthropy has immense potential to catalyze progress, but money without strategy, coordination, and community partnership rarely delivers lasting results. Addressing large-scale social and economic issues, while maximizing opportunity, requires a multifaceted approach that combines evidence,
collaboration, and leadership across systems.
To unlock our full potential as a community catalyst, RACF intentionally deploys CFLeads’ Community Leadership Framework as the organizing structure for all of our impact work. This framework offers the community foundation field a disciplined approach for integrating five core competencies—grantmaking, data and research, policy influence, community engagement, and resource mobilization—into a unified strategy that links our investments and deliberate action to measurable outcomes for our community and region.
The position primarily manages the discretionary grants portfolio for the Upward Mobility pillar, working closely with colleagues and community partners to drive activities across the full Community Leadership framework, and facilitate progress toward Upward Mobility goals. Like every role at the Foundation, it also advances diversity, equity, and inclusion by embedding equitable practices into its work and helping build an inclusive organizational culture.
This impact pillar draws from the Urban Institute’s body of research and focuses on the following areas:
· High-Quality Education – We invest in education, so every learner is prepared to reach long-term prosperity and can shape their own journey.
· Rewarding Work - We expand access to employment, support wealth-building, and strengthen local entrepreneurship — bolstering the local ecosystem so that ambition and talent can lead to wealth creation and stable, sustaining careers.
· Health and Well-Being – Broaden equitable access to health care and address the Social Determinants of Health, so all individuals and families can lead healthy lives and find local specialized services when necessary.
· Opportunity-Rich, Inclusive Neighborhoods, and Community Voice - We invest in neighborhoods and rural communities where people of every background can connect to opportunity and build belonging, and we work to remove barriers by aligning systems, elevating lived experience, and ensuring community priorities shape the decisions and outcomes that affect people's lives.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Grantmaking
· Develop, modify and oversee grant cycles that are prioritized for Upward Mobility pillar, including RFP development and deployment, application review processes, grantee communications, and assist in creating and updating related materials such as applications, evaluation forms, and final report templates.
· Build and manage relationships across the regional social sector to help the foundation identify service providers and programs well-positioned for growth and investment. This spans the full grant lifecycle: on the front end - sharing grant opportunities, evaluating fit with prospective grantees, and conducting site visits; on the back end - reviewing grantee progress, identifying needs for technical assistance or capacity building, and discussing successes and growth opportunities for learning and/or re-investment.
· Develop educational materials (written, videos, webinars) that announce open grant cycles, distribute to prospective grantees and serve as the main point of contact for any questions from the social sector during open calls for applications.
· Lead process to select organizations for open grant rounds; Review, analyze, and summarize proposals within the assigned action areas and prepare written recommendations to the volunteer Program/Distributions Committee and Board of Directors.
· Manage feedback loops with nonprofits for continuous learning, including prospective grantees who were not selected; and with grantees as they submit reports for annual grants.
· Collaborate with the Philanthropic Engagement team and external funders to identify and pursue opportunities for co-investment that advance shared goals within the assigned action areas.
· Oversee the development and ongoing coordination of a volunteer review committee (when needed), including supporting recruitment and orientation of committee members and helping facilitate review discussions to inform funding recommendations.
Internal and External Subject Matter Expertise
· Maintain a high level of expertise in Upward Mobility framework and strategies.
· Coordinate with other members of the Community Impact team to integrate the RACFI portfolio and rural impact team in the integrated approach to achieving impact goals for Upward Mobility.
· Work with Philanthropic Engagement, when requested, to educate and engage donors on the Foundation's action areas.
· Broadly serve as a resource and educator for Community Foundation staff, Program/Distributions Committee, Board, donors, and the community to support the strategic plan and its emphasis on community impact.
Portfolio Monitoring and Learning
· Perform critical assessment and reflection on portfolio to adjust grantmaking and community leadership practices accordingly.
· Research and learn from other community foundations, partners and grantee organizations, public officials, academic institutions, and community members, as well as from donors and other stakeholders to identify best practices and new opportunities for the work of the Foundation.
Community Presence & Partnerships
· Attend community events on behalf of the Foundation, including evening and weekend events, to represent RACF and build relationships.
· Represent the Community Foundation in a variety of initiatives and activities that help further the goals of Upward Mobility and foster productive collaborative partnerships that align with key action areas.
· Participating in these partnerships includes regular attendance at meetings, strategy setting, guidance on research and evaluation, public policy work, as well as pursuing opportunities to leverage funding, communications, and other expertise that help further common objectives.
Communications Support
· Assist other departments in meeting their goals for communicating needs, funding opportunities, and accomplishments to Community Foundation donors and partners.
· Contribute to the preparation of the quarterly Grantmaking News You Can Use, giving oral and written progress reports and presentations to varied audiences, and supporting special events.
· Serving as a conduit to bring vital external information to the Community Foundation.
· Public speaking, panels, small group facilitation and social media content is regularly incorporated into the responsibilities of this role.
OTHER DUTIES
· May be asked to represent the Senior Director, Vice President of Community Impact and/or the President & CEO in public and Foundation meetings.
· Other duties as assigned or requested.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
· Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience preferred.
· 4 to 6 years of professional experience within a relevant field such as philanthropy, the social sector
· Grantmaking, grant-seeking, donor engagement, or funding partnership experience preferred.
· Experience supporting or advancing initiatives related to the Upward Mobility framework – education, workforce development, social determinants of health, civic leadership, policy.
· Strong meeting facilitation, coordination, and project planning skills.
· Proficiency with technology and software platforms, including Microsoft 365 preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
· Demonstrates a clear commitment to the Foundation’s mission by aligning day-to-day decisions, priorities, and relationships with organizational and community impact goals.
· Works independently, takes initiative, follows through on commitments, and produces accurate, high-quality work with minimal supervision.
· Plans projects, organizes information, analyzes qualitative and quantitative data, identifies key findings, and translates them into clear recommendations and next steps.
· Builds and maintains productive relationships with nonprofit leaders, public-sector partners, funders, donors, volunteers, and community members across diverse sectors.
· Applies community engagement and collaborative leadership practices, including listening to community priorities, facilitating shared decision-making, and coordinating partners around common goals.
· Works respectfully and effectively with people of varied identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences; adapts communication and engagement approaches to support equitable participation.
· Uses sound judgment, active listening, diplomacy, and constructive conflict-management skills to navigate complex relationships and differing perspectives.
· Communicates complex information clearly and concisely in grant recommendations, reports, presentations, meetings, and public speaking engagements for varied audiences.
· Manages multiple projects and deadlines, adjusts priorities as circumstances change, and keeps colleagues and partners informed of progress, risks, and needed decisions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· Position operates in a professional office environment. This position routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
· This is a largely sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to move files, open filing cabinets and bend, or stand, as necessary.
· On occasion may be exposed to outdoor elements while attending, presenting, or otherwise participating in a work-related event outdoors.
· Must be able to work evenings and weekends, as needed
· Must have reliable transportation and driver's license in good standing.
· You may be required to travel within the eight-county region on occasion.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This full-time, exempt position offers a starting salary range of $65,000 to $72,000, commensurate with experience. Rochester Area Community Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
· Access to an employer-sponsored healthcare plan
· Dental and vision coverage
· Paid vacation, personal, and sick time
· A robust paid holiday schedule
· A retirement plan with employer contribution, subject to service requirements.
· Opportunities for professional development and training
· Hybrid position – three days in office required
Candidates must be local or willing to relocate (no relocation packages available for this position)
We are dedicated to fair and transparent compensation practices. The salary for this role is determined by several factors, including the candidate's level of experience, education, and skill set, as well as internal equity and market data.
In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this job description lists only those responsibilities and qualifications deemed essential to the position.
Rochester Area Community Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Pay: $65,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Grantmaking , or working with nonprofits and funders: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Rochester, NY 14607
