Program Officer

The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati was established in 1995 with ~$70 million in assets from the Jewish Hospital of Cincinnati. In 2010, the Foundation sold Jewish Hospital to Mercy Health, and the proceeds increased the Foundation’s asset base, which is approximately $500 million in assets.

The Foundation now invests approximately $24 million annually in the Cincinnati Jewish community to strengthen Jewish identity, Jewish education and engagement, and to ensure that the basic needs of vulnerable community members are met. The Foundation also provides capacity building grants enabling the community’s institutions to meet individual needs efficiently and effectively.

The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati is seeking a full-time Program Officer to support the Foundation’s strategic grantmaking and serve as a key partner to organizations across the Cincinnati Jewish community. The Program Officer is a primary point of contact for assigned grantees and plays an essential role in cultivating strong, trust-based relationships, stewarding grant processes, and ensuring the Foundation’s investments advance meaningful community outcomes. Core responsibilities include facilitating all stages of the grantmaking process, conducting due diligence, monitoring grant performance, and thinking strategically about the overall health, alignment, and longterm vision of one’s grant portfolio.

Leading candidates for the position will be mission-driven and relationally skilled professionals with strong communication, analytical, and organizational abilities; the capacity to balance multiple projects and deadlines; and a collaborative, strategic mindset grounded in the Foundation’s commitment to strengthening Jewish life in Cincinnati.

Grantee Relations and Grant Management
o Explore opportunities with potential new grantees; initiate dialogue, conduct interviews and site visits, collect and organize all relevant information necessary for a thorough review and presentation of grant proposals.
o Evaluate invited grant requests including analyzing organizational goals and plans, financial data, desired outcomes, impact metrics, and other relevant information
o Conduct internal research/due diligence through early stages and throughout the grantmaking process. Provide information necessary to support the efficacy of the Foundations’ philanthropy
o Work closely with TJF Director of Impact Assessment and TJF Director of Research & Learning, along with any evaluators, consultants and program grantees, to ensure formative evaluation findings are used to guide and
improve grant implementation, and to lift up broader cross-portfolio learnings and insights.

External communications
o Establish positive and proactive working relationships with relevant community stakeholders and organizations

o Represent the Foundation at convenings and conferences as assigned by the CPO and/or CEO
o Contribute to the preparation of communications materials, press releases, articles, web postings about grant announcements, grantees or key community issues

Organizational operations
o Work with the CPO and other team members to ensure sound docket preparation for grantmaking discussions for staff and trustee meetings

Professional Development
o Find and participate in professional development opportunities that match the needs of the Foundation and its vision and strategies

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in community service work, non-profit, grant administration, or Jewish communal service work
• Demonstrate high integrity, excellent interpersonal skills, good judgement and ability to work in a team environment
• Strong project management skills with proven attention to detail
• Possess an understanding of Jewish communal philanthropy, professional grantmaking in a foundation environment, experience in working with grantees, and the financial and analytical skills to manage research and community
planning projects
• Possess an understanding and appreciation of Jewish culture and community
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills including planning, complex problem solving and data analysis, financial and analytical skills, decision-making, reporting, and conflict management
• Ability to collaborate with all stakeholders (Board members, grantees, staff, community members and other stakeholder partners)
• Adept at using MS Office Suite including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and other software as needed; experience with GivingData is a plus

This is a full-time position, working onsite in Cincinnati Ohio, with the ability to work from home one day per week.

Compensation range: $75,000 – $90,000 per year, with a generous benefits plan, retirement plan with employer match, comprehensive paid time off, and paid holidays including specific Jewish holidays.

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