kpCompanies is leading the search for the next Program Associate, Arts & Cultures for Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP). The Program Associate is responsible for providing administrative, program, grant, and evaluation support in partnership with the Program Director and Program Officers for the Philanthropy’s work in our Arts & Cultures Domain. The responsibilities of the Program Associate include gathering timely and accurate information from grantees and other sources, assisting in the proposal and report process, and inputing and retrieving information from the grant management information system, along with fostering strong relationships with grantees and other external partners. The Program Associate also supports the development of materials and meetings related to annual program reviews to the board, and, where necessary, in support of proposal reviews throughout the year, and participates in ongoing team learning and planning activities.

This position also manages calendars to ensure grantmaking, payments and monitoring / reporting deadlines are met and assists in the development and tracking of the team’s budgets and grant distribution forecasting. This position reports to the Program Director and is part of MACP’s wider Program team.

ABOUT MARGARET A. CARGILL PHILANTHROPIES

Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) is the umbrella over the grantmaking foundations created by the late Margaret Cargill: Margaret A. Cargill Foundation and Anne Ray Foundation. MACP provides meaningful support through long-term relationships with strategic grantee partners across seven program domains: Environment, Disaster Relief & Recovery, Arts & Cultures, Teachers, Animal Welfare, Quality of Life, and Legacy & Opportunity. The collective assets of MACP place it among the 10 largest philanthropies in the United States.

The two foundations have separate boards and investment portfolios but share a common mission of providing meaningful assistance and support to society, the arts, and the environment.

Margaret A. Cargill Foundation is a private foundation that came into existence upon Ms. Cargill’s death in August 2006. At year-end 2022, MACF’s assets are approximately $3.3 billion. 

Anne Ray Foundation is a supporting organization, which may make grants only to beneficiary organizations specifically named by Ms. Cargill. Year-end 2022, ARF’s assets are approximately $4.7 billion.

MACP’s Philosophy of Grantmaking underscores the values and guiding principles of Margaret A. Cargill by: using education and innovation as a means to achieve core purposes; empowering people to be self- sufficient; maintaining a low profile while meeting the needs of others; supporting programs that could have a broad impact, having socially redeeming values and standards, and that value life; and relieving suffering in times of disaster. As a core element of its philosophy, MACP invests in long-term relationships with key grantee organizations in order to find solutions that are consistent with the values of both parties.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Support:

1. Support domain grantmaking calendar to help meet annual domain and organizational grantmaking goals.
2. Assist with navigation of MACP’s grantmaking systems, including Fluxx, Adaptive, Qlik and evaluation tools/resources, with applicants and grantees.
3. Manage correspondence and/or other technical written materials with grantees and other external parties, including consultants, as assigned.
4. Assist with organization of meetings and events on and off-site (convenings, site visits, team meetings, etc.).
5. Prepare materials for and document the outcomes of regular team and Domain-level meetings.
6. Assemble and organize high-quality grant and program materials and presentations for board meetings, including developing and editing certain documents.
7. Research assigned topics and synthesize information in written summaries or in PowerPoint.
8. Support other special projects and presentations.
9. Assist other program associates as needed to help manage variation in workload across program areas and to provide backup coverage.
10. Support MACP’s vision and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) by contributing to team and organization wide DEIJ goals and efforts.
11. Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to intercultural understanding and sensitivity and awareness of systemic racism and other forms of structural injustice.

Grant Administration and Evaluation Support:

1. Engage with applicants and grantees to facilitate timely and accurate completion of concepts, applications, grant agreements, annual reports, response-related periodic reports, and supplemental materials through MACP’s grantmaking systems.
2. Compile and maintain relevant and required grantee information in electronic files, with emphasis on electronic recordkeeping.
3. Perform timely and accurate input and updates of grantee information, proposals, approvals, payments, and reporting requirements. Work with grantees and grants management staff to ensure required grant reporting information is consistently up to date.
4. Coordinate grant payments with grantees and MACP Grants Management and Finance teams.
5. Export and analyze data. Design and prepare reports as needed with the assistance of grants administration and evaluation staff.
6. Partner with grants management including assistance with user testing, participation in training, and at times, helping with data migration.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Below are some of the typical requirements for a Program Associate. We recognize that skill sets can be a complex combination of experiences. Even if your background does not exactly match these requirements but you have a passion for our work, we would love to hear from you and we recognize the value of transferable skills.

Education:

1. Required: High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Desired: Associate or Bachelor’s degree

Experience:

1. 2 or more years experience in program and/or grant administration preferred.
2. Strong data analysis and computer skills, with solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office software; knowledge of grantmaking software preferred (ideally Fluxx).
3. Highly organized, planful, and motivated; ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks with little direct supervision.
4. Creative problem solver; resourceful and proactive in seeking creative technical and/or procedural improvements.
5. Positive attitude and a commitment to being part of and building an encouraging work environment.
6. Demonstrated high commitment to intercultural understanding and sensitivity.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to addressing racism and other societal inequities.
8. Strong sense of integrity, discretion, and trustworthiness, able to maintain the highest level of confidentiality both internally and externally.
9. Excellent interpersonal skills, a genuine desire to help others, diplomatic style, attentive listener.
10. Effective communication skills, written and verbal.
11. Experience collaborating and working as part of a small team.
12. Strong project management and customer service skills.
13. Active interest in placed-based giving and the role of philanthropy in supporting nonprofit organizations.

Other required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: