F. M. KIRBY FOUNDATION – COMMUNICATIONS & PROGRAM ASSOCIATE 

About the F. M. Kirby Foundation:

The F. M. Kirby Foundation is a family foundation which aims effectively to manage and utilize that which has been entrusted to it over multiple generations of the Kirby family. It strives to make thoughtful and prudent philanthropic commitments to highly selective grantee partners. The goal of the Foundation is to invest in opportunities that foster self-reliance or otherwise create strong, healthy communities. The Foundation’s grantees are largely located in geographic areas of family significance and are engaged in one of the seven areas of interest: arts, culture, and humanities; education; environment and animals; health; human services; public affairs; and religion.

About the Position:

The Communications and Program Associate plays a critical role in helping the F. M. Kirby Foundation achieve its mission. As a voice of the Foundation, this team member is responsible for ensuring that our organization’s public messages and platforms – including the website, press releases, and social media – elevate the work of our grantees and help the Foundation execute its strategic plan priorities. The Communications and Program Associate is additionally responsible for internal communications between the staff and the Board of Directors. The Associate will also oversee a cross-section of the Foundation’s grantmaking, serving as the primary lead for 30-40 grants. As such, the Associate will work with the Director of Finance in developing and maintaining a budget, with the Grant Administrator in evaluating and managing a grant, with other Program Officers and Associates in aligning goals, and with the Foundation President in overall grantmaking strategy and special initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Communications Responsibilities:

• Handle all external communication matters of the Foundation, including but not limited to press releases, social media, media inquiries, and website;
• Handle all internal communication matters of the Foundation, including but not limited to reports to the Board, Board document posting, materials for Board meetings, Board relations, and Board orientation processes;
• Develop and execute communication strategies for special initiatives of the Foundation, including, but not limited to, grantee workshops, online applications, and grant competitions.

Program Responsibilities:

• Evaluate grant requests in selected areas of the Foundation’s interests;
• Provide timely guidance and support to grant seekers throughout the application process;
• Steward the budgeting and strategy of assigned areas of interest and contribute to the stewardship of the Foundation’s overall grantmaking;
• Identify, research, and vet new funding opportunities in the assigned areas of interest;
• Develop and execute professional development and convening opportunities for grantees and other non-profit partners;
• Conduct site visits to organizations and prepare reports for review;
• Build and maintain strong and authentic relationships with grantee partners;
• Participate in the pollination of ideas across grantmaking areas of interest with other team members;
• Perform research and generate necessary reports for the President and other staff;
• Support the Foundation’s efforts to increase support to non-profits serving under-resourced communities;
• Regularly attend professional development opportunities and affinity group meetings;
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

The well-qualified applicant will:

• Have 2+ years of experience in the non-profit or philanthropic sector, or related experience from an adjacent industry (i.e. government, education, health, etc.);
• Possess exceptional written and oral communication skills, paired with attentive listening skills;
• Have superb interpersonal skills, with an ability to work respectfully and efficiently with a broad range of constituencies;
• Share a demonstrable personal commitment to the Foundation’s mission of fostering self-reliance and strong, healthy communities;
• Enjoy working with others, fostering talent, and contributing to the greater good of the team and the Foundation’s areas of support;
• Possess a natural curiosity; flexible mentality, sound judgment, and an entrepreneurial habit of mind;
• Share a commitment to continuing education and professional development;
• Be able to work efficiently and problem solve with technology;
• Be able to work onsite (Morristown, NJ) as well as occasionally travel, including out-of-state and overnight work-related trips.

Salary & Benefits

–           Salary ranges from $60,000 – $85,000, depending on experience.

–           Comprehensive benefits, including fully subsidized health, dental, and vision care

–           403(b) program, with 10% employer match

–           Hybrid in-office / remote work schedule

–           15 days of paid time off, as well as 11 paid holidays and 2 paid volunteer days

To apply:  Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please include in e-mail subject: “Application for Communications and Program Associate Position” and include the cover letter and resume as attachments (PDF or Word). Successful cover letters will explicitly frame why your experience and skills are a strong fit for both the position as listed and for the F. M. Kirby Foundation. At least three references will be sought for finalist candidates.

Application deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.  While we carefully review all materials received, we are not able to respond to every applicant. We will respond directly to applicants who have been selected to move forward in the hiring process.

The F. M. Kirby Foundation provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.