Program Officer

About Brooklyn Org

Brooklyn Org is dedicated to celebrating and supporting Brooklyn’s vibrant culture and resilient communities while advocating for equity and justice. For over 15 years, the organization has redefined philanthropy by backing community and nonprofit leaders driving significant change in Brooklyn. It operates as a platform that unites local residents, donors, businesses, and equity activists to foster resource allocation and solution development aimed at social justice.

Position Overview

The Program Officer contributes to Brooklyn Org’s strategic goals by cultivating relationships with community members, nonprofit leaders, and other partners. This role involves managing grant portfolios through a participatory grantmaking approach, ensuring data integrity, and supporting various philanthropic initiatives within Brooklyn. The position reports to the Director of Programs and involves some early morning, evening, weekend work, and local travel via public transportation in NYC.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee assigned grantmaking activities including organizing community advisory councils, drafting Requests for Proposals, evaluating proposals, conducting due diligence and site visits, recommending grants, and monitoring outcomes.
• Prepare summary materials for the Board of Directors outlining grant recommendations.
• Assist with additional grant programs arising from new partnerships and funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with colleagues to exchange knowledge and insights.
• Conduct research, convenings, and interviews relevant to program areas.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with grantees, handling inquiries and preliminary discussions.
• Coordinate with Programs and Operations teams to ensure efficient grants processing and database accuracy for compliance.
• Lead grantee gatherings, assist in organizing workshops including agenda preparation, speaker identification, and logistics management.
• Work alongside the Capacity Building program and Communications team to enhance grantee visibility and promote community solutions.
• Support Development team in fundraising efforts by providing information and attending events.
• Be an active participant in organization-wide initiatives and meetings.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills fostering authentic, professional partnerships and inclusive leadership.
• Excellent analytical abilities and clear communication in written and verbal formats; multilingual abilities are a plus.
• Comfortable with public speaking and skilled in facilitation of meetings both large and small.
• Curious, humble, and committed to ongoing learning and reducing power imbalances.
• Adaptable and resourceful in dynamic environments with a proactive approach to overcoming challenges.
• Highly organized with the capacity to manage multiple initiatives and maintain focus under deadlines.
• Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and confidentiality of sensitive data.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 to 7 years’ experience in philanthropy, nonprofit, or public policy sectors, preferably as a program officer.
• Proven organizational and administrative skills to handle multiple priorities independently.
• In-depth knowledge and experience working with Brooklyn nonprofit organizations, especially in community organizing and advocacy.
• Strong dedication to racial equity and social justice, particularly within Brooklyn communities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.
• Preference given to candidates with prior NYC nonprofit experience.

Additional Information

Full-time staff are expected to be onsite at the Downtown Brooklyn office Monday through Thursday, with occasional Friday events. The position salary ranges between $85,000 and $92,000 annually, contingent on qualifications and experience. Brooklyn Org is an equal opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination.