Right To Protest Program Officer, Piper Fund

ABOUT PROTEUS FUND

Proteus Fund connects philanthropy to the frontlines of social justice. We strive to advance the interconnected goals of racial, gender, queer and disability justice, and an inclusive, fully representative democracy. To do our work effectively and with significant impact, Proteus Fund creates dynamic relationships between progressive philanthropists, movement leaders, and other allies that go far beyond transactional grantmaking. Our trusted position among funders and field actors enables us to support, both through collaborative grantmaking and other efforts, a broad array of strategies to achieve social justice victories. Our donor collaboratives are best-in-class models for bridging responsive philanthropy and cutting-edge social justice movements for deeper impact, aligning resources to address critical needs, and shaping strategy alongside our partners. Through our fiscal sponsorship program, Proteus Fund partners with initiatives which play a powerful role in the larger ecosystem for social change, providing them with tailored and comprehensive organizational support.

To date, Proteus Fund, and its affiliated 501c4 organization, the Proteus Action League, have distributed $280 million in grants, and provided other essential tools to support activists, advocates, networks, coalitions, and issue-specific campaigns at the local, state, and national level. Proteus Fund is headquartered in New York City, with staff based across the entire United States.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Under the supervision of the Piper Fund Director, the Program Officer for the Right to Protest manages Piper Fund and Piper Action Fund’s focus to protect freedom of assembly and ensure that everyone – particularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities who are most often marginalized or silenced – can take part in an inclusive and vibrant democracy. The Program Officer brings community organizing and movement building skills to managing the program portfolio; this includes grantmaking to state and national organizations, coordinating a network of 70 organizations united in the effort to protect the freedom of assembly, and engaging with philanthropic partners to raise funds to support this program. They also participate in the planning and implementation of programs and funder engagement strategies and activities.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) remote position for an individual located in the U.S., with a preference for someone based in Eastern and Central time zones. The position requires at least 10% and up to 20% travel for internal meetings and retreats as well as conferences and other events.

Proteus Fund welcomes everyone to our team. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color, LGBTQIA+, women and gender nonconforming, and people with disabilities

Key Responsibilities

• Explore opportunities to support new and emerging work in the field.
• Manage c3 and c4 grantmaking process, including prioritizing states, identifying grantees, inviting proposals, researching and evaluating proposals, writing assessments and conducting site visits and phone calls with grantees, potential grantees, and stakeholders, as well as evaluating progress and grantee needs.
• In collaboration with the Program Director, build relationships with current and prospective Piper Fund partners and serve as resource to them to understand their needs.
• Support the Grant Writer with field and grantee information for proposals, reports, and updates to funders. Assist in crafting compelling outreach to current and new donors that reflects the quickly changing needs for the field.
• With the Piper Fund team, plan and implement the bi-annual docket meeting, as well as funder briefings.
• Working closely with Proteus Fund’s communications consultant, develop strategic communications to the funding community, including blog posts, email blasts, opinion pieces for philanthropy and other press, webinars and sessions for Piper Fund meetings and other philanthropic events.
• Fundraise for the program by meeting with potential funders, and collaborating with the Piper Fund Grant Writer and Partnership Manager to implement fundraising plans and ensure that proposals and reports to donors are accurate and comprehensive.
• Convene the national Protect Dissent Network, including organizing and facilitating biweekly calls, in person or hybrid annual convenings, and coordinating national efforts in support of state groups.
• Develop strategic communications to the funding and field community, including blog posts, email blasts, webinars and sessions for Piper Fund meetings and other philanthropic events.
• Build and maintain expertise in the field of protecting the right to protest, including monitoring legislative and narrative trends, and fostering relationships with grantees and other leaders in the field at both the national and local levels.
• Strategically assess the short- and long-term needs of the field and create and implement initiatives to increase the entire field’s impact.
• Contract with and manage consultants to further the impact of the field, including, but not limited to, communications and messaging support.
• Collaborate with the Piper Director, Chief Financial Officer and other finance staff in the creation and monitoring of the annual budget for the Right to Protest grantmaking program.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The Program Officer will have a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience in a foundation or nonprofit setting or government sector(s). A combination of education and experience may be substituted for a degree. We value candidates who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior experiences will help them to contribute to the organization and have experience leading and organizing campaigns or lobbying at the state level and facilitating broad-based coalitions. Finally, they have advanced racial and gender equity analysis and demonstrated commitment to building power among underrepresented communities.

Additional requirements and experience include:

• Financial (budget) acumen.
• Ability to work collaboratively with team that is diverse and inclusive with accountability and responsibility.
• Skilled at culturally competent communication and able to manage communications tactfully and professionally with a customer-service mindset.
• Collaborative approach to working with colleagues.
• Possesses emotional intelligence to navigate sensitive and sometimes difficult subjects impacting a diverse set of communities.
• Ability to manage a fast-paced work environment and work efficiently in a remote/virtual organization.
• Knowledge of and experience in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.
• Ability to adapt and be versatile in a team-focused, dynamic environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Commitment to relationship building.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Alignment to Culture and Values

• Strong relationship building skills, high ethical standards, discretion, and tact.
• Commitment to vision and mission of Proteus Fund as a progressive social justice organization.
• Personal qualities of humility and empathy.
• Cultural responsiveness and an alignment with our values and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

COMPENSATION

The starting salary for this role is $89,043 to $107,742 and is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, skill set level, years of previous/applicable experience, and Proteus Fund's commitment to ensuring pay equity within the organization. The recruiting team will share more details regarding salary bands based on the candidate's specific geographic location as well as the other factors noted above. Salary is one part of the total compensation that Proteus Fund provides to employees.

BENEFITS

Proteus Fund is committed to ensuring that its employees are supported holistically, from compensation, benefits and resources to an enriching work environment and collaborative culture. Proteus Fund leads the market in a number of its offerings, including a sector-leading retirement plan contribution and robust benefits package. The recruiting team will share more information regarding this commitment and offerings.

• Fifteen sick days per year
• Retirement savings account (401k) with an organization contribution of 10% of annual salary
• Paid Family Leave, short-term, and long-term disability
• Medical and dental benefits for employee and eligible dependents available on first day of work
• Three weeks’ paid vacation in first year of work; four weeks in subsequent years
• Fifteen paid holidays
• Life Insurance
• Three personal days per year
• Professional development initiatives for growth

TO APPLY

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume by May 5, 2023.

A cover letter indicating your interest in Proteus Fund must be included. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered.

Proteus Fund believes that one of the greatest strengths of an organization is the rich diversity of its staff and board and is committed to providing equal employment and promotional opportunities based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under the law. Proteus Fund’s policies and practices are to reflect Proteus Fund’s commitment to nondiscrimination in all areas of employment.

Proteus Fund is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Proteus will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 413-256-0349 option 3. Additionally, throughout this document, use of the pronoun “they” is intended to be inclusive of humans who identify as non-binary as well as those of gender expansive identities and experiences.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

Please note, in an effort to maintain and safeguard staff's health, well-being, and safety, Proteus Fund requires all employees to be vaccinated prior to their employment and adhere to the regular upkeep of COVID-19 vaccination requirements as per CDC recommendations while employed. Proof of the CDC-recommended level of COVID-19 vaccination is required as a condition of employment with Proteus Fund.