Work with us

We currently have the following job opportunity available:

Program Officer

Created in 2018 after 70% of Denver voters turned an idea into a reality, Caring for Denver Foundation works to address Denver’s mental health and substance misuse needs by growing community-informed solutions, dismantling stigma, and turning the community’s desire to help into action. Since its founding, the Foundation has approved more than $186 million in grants.

Caring for Denver efforts have always centered on understanding and connecting with community and grantees right where they are. By engaging authentically with those we serve, we gain a deeper understanding of the changes needed, the challenges to address, and ensure that resources are directed where they can make the greatest impact—directly into the hands of our communities.

Caring for Denver Foundation is seeking to hire a team member to support the execution of the Foundation’s funding strategy and learning model. The Program Officer interfaces internally with all staff, while also developing and maintaining strategic external partnerships with key stakeholders to further the Foundation’s mission to improve mental health and reduce substance misuse for residents of the City and County of Denver.

Responsibilities

The Program Officer is responsible for execution of the Foundation’s funding strategy under direction of the program team lead, including, but not limited to:

Grantmaking, Grant Management, and Support

• Identify and cultivate opportunities aligned with Caring for Denver Foundation’s grantmaking strategy
• Provide high-level guidance to prospective grant seekers, outside of open procurement periods
• Conduct due diligence and produce written summaries of grant applications for funding recommendations
• Actively manage and support a grant portfolio through post-award meetings, regular interaction with grantees, timely review of reports, site visits, and shared learning in support of grant implementation
• Effectively work in collaboration with an assigned evaluation and learning partner, who will provide grant-level partnership and assistance for developing reporting plans and implementing the Foundation’s learning model
• Identify themes and opportunities in grantmaking/grant portfolio in coordination with the evaluation and learning team and community engagement team
• Support grantees in the fulfillment of financial and learning expectations

Relationship Development and Management

• Establish and build relationships with a wide variety of individuals and organizations working to promote mental health and reduce substance misuse in the City and County of Denver
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal team members, including the evaluation and learning team who works in strong partnership with program officers and grantees
• Demonstrate self-awareness and role awareness
• Navigate difficult conversations with skill and an orientation toward strengthening relationships
• Regularly seek and provide constructive feedback

Supporting the Team and Program Team Lead

• Support the programs team in meeting overarching deadlines, implement processes and practices consistently, and ensure the team is prepared for upcoming grant cycles
• Support the team in strategically refining and improving its practices
• Help increase consistency across team processes, practices, and the program team’s workplan

Knowledge Development and Management

• Understand the work of the Foundation, both programmatic and operational
• Demonstrate general knowledge of mental health and substance use disorders and the work of nonprofits and government agencies
• Identify emerging trends in mental health and substance misuse support strategies and share learnings with grant partners to increase impact and effectiveness of grants.

Other duties as requested by the program team lead.

Experience and Skills

We are seeking a Program Officer with experience as a program officer at a grantmaking organization. The ideal candidate must be adept at effective communication, listening and learning, and be able to build and maintain strong relationships. The ideal candidate will also have experience bringing a learning and growth mindset and community impact orientation to their work. A successful candidate will have demonstrated instances of team collaboration, resolution of issues or challenges in their work, and follow-through on solutions. This person must enjoy working in complexity and be able to strategically prioritize time and resources in the best interest of the organization.

The candidate is expected to represent the Foundation’s vision, mission, values, and priorities—both internally and externally—with authenticity.

The Foundation’s grantees are diverse and many work with populations that are often underserved. Our staff also come from diverse backgrounds and have a range of professional experiences. Nonjudgment and comfort working with people from diverse backgrounds and beliefs are critical. Awareness around the biases that you may hold is also integral to learning about yourself and being able to empathize with others. Proficiency in an additional language is helpful.

The Foundation has been operating for five years; this means we are still learning as an organization and as a team and continuing to evolve practices. The right candidate will need to work well in ambiguity and managing change.

Supervisor Relationship

The Program Officer reports to the program team lead and does not supervise any employees. This position does not have administrative support.

Location

This position is based in Caring for Denver’s office at 1035 Osage Street in Denver; it is not a remote position. Employees are allowed to work from home one day a week.

Salary and Benefits

This full-time, exempt position’s salary will be between $80,000-$110,000 commensurate with experience and background. Caring for Denver Foundation currently offers a benefits package including 100% of the employee cost, and 50% of the spouse and dependent coverage cost for the organization’s selected base plans for health, dental, and vision insurance (employees may select higher levels of coverage and pay the additional premiums). The Foundation contributes to short-term and long-term disability, and basic life/AD&D coverage. A 401k retirement plan is available—the Foundation matches up to 4% of the employee’s contribution to their 401k. Benefits also include paid time off including holidays and an employee assistance program. Several voluntary, self-paid benefits are also available.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Foundation is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any aspect of employment. The Foundation does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment because of age (40 and over), race, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, and breastfeeding), religion, creed, citizenship, marital status, protective hairstyle, family care status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transsexual or transgender status, political belief, military or veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local law in hiring, promoting, demoting, training, benefits, transfers, layoffs, terminations, recommendations, rates of pay or other terms and conditions of employment. Instead, the Foundation endeavors to provide opportunities to all employees and applicants based on qualifications and job requirements. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

How to Apply

This opportunity posted on November 25, 2024 and will remain open until the position is filled. Our desire is to have this position filled in January 2025. Interested candidates should send an email and/or letter of interest and résumé to Search Committee at search@caring4denver.org with the subject line “Program Officer.”