Community Partnership Fellowship

The Heinz Endowments•Pittsburgh, PA

8d•$82,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Heinz Endowments (THE) Community Partnership Fellowship program is a full-time, two-year experience that encourages diverse perspectives, creative thinking, and leadership development. The aim of the fellowship is to expose promising professionals to key aspects of philanthropy, including grant development, grantee communications/relations and research and analysis. During the experience, fellows engage with nonprofit organizations, public sector leaders, The Endowments’ grantees, national and local research experts, and philanthropists. A Fellow receives mentorship, leadership development opportunities and exposure to all aspects of The Endowments’ grantmaking process including grantee convening, grant reviews, board engagement and preparation, strategy development, team engagement, research and reporting. Learning, mentorship, relationship cultivation, leadership skill development, research and increasing equitable access to philanthropy are core elements of the fellowship program. Over two years, the fellow learns about the key pillars of philanthropic leadership through active participation and deep practical application. Although the fellowship will focus on THE’s Community Partnership initiatives, exposure to different strategic areas and discipline will be included. The Heinz Endowments Community Partnership Fellowship program is for senior management professionals or recent graduates with a masters-level or Ph.D. in public policy, government, social work, philanthropic studies, public health, early childhood, education, or related field of study. The program aims to identify professionals who will benefit from learning about and networking within the philanthropic sector. The fellowship is a two-year, full-time commitment as a paid employee. This fellowship represents a significant investment by The Heinz Endowments in the next generation of equity-focused philanthropic leaders. The fellow will leave this experience with deep practical knowledge of grantmaking operations, authentic relationships across the regional and national philanthropic community, and a track record of meaningful contributions to equity-centered work in the Pittsburgh region and beyond. For more information on this fellowship opportunity, please review the Community Partnership Fellowship Program guide.

Requirements

Two or more years nonprofit management, government, consulting or program design experience
Master’s degree, Ph.D., or equivalent experience
Demonstrated desire to work long-term in public service or the nonprofit sector
Excellent critical thinking and writing skills; strong project management acumen
Demonstrated leadership in civic and/or professional life
Demonstrated commitment to work with equity principles
Sufficient computer competency to carry out assigned work are essential

Nice To Haves

Experience with grants management preferred
Exposure to community organizing, partnership management, or collaborative practices preferred
Experience with data management systems, data analysis and/or evaluation, a plus

Responsibilities

Oversee and manage the full grant lifecycle, from application review to final reporting, ensuring compliance with foundation guidelines under supervision of the VP, Equity & Community Partnership.
Assist with reviewing grant proposals and preparing reports upon grant completion, applying independent judgment within defined procedures.
Monitor the progress and quality of interim and final reports, working with grantees to ensure timely submission and addressing concerns in coordination with applicable Program Officers.
Conduct impact analysis and quality assessments to gauge the effectiveness of grants as assigned.
Maintain accurate records in grant management and data systems; assist in tracking and reporting on grants and program metrics in compliance with data integrity standards.
Maintain working knowledge of internal due diligence requirements, compliance protocols, and GMS standards, serving as a point of contact between program staff and Grants Administration on operational procedures.
Conduct research on community indicators, emerging trends, and potential grantmaking opportunities aligned with Equity & Community Partnership priorities.
Perform policy research and analysis to inform grantmaking strategies and identify advocacy opportunities relevant to the foundation’s focus areas.
Analyze data related to grant outcomes and broader program impact, contributing to foundation learning and strategy refinement.
Research and share best practices and relevant public research to support program decision-making and the advancement of equitable grantmaking practices.
Serve as a knowledgeable point of contact for grantees on administrative matters, managing inquiries, guiding them through the grant process, and assisting with pre-grant information requests; may represent the foundation to grantees as appropriate.
Build and maintain positive, trust-based relationships with grantees, community stakeholders, and other foundation partners.
Work in cooperation with other program areas to develop integrated grantmaking activities where applicable, and participate in organization-wide strategic planning processes.
Develop an understanding of the philanthropic community and forge working partnerships with peer foundations to achieve strategic equity objectives.
Appropriately represent the Endowments within the communities the foundation seeks to serve, demonstrating cultural humility and a commitment to equity-centered engagement.
Develop clear and compelling reports and presentations that summarize grant outcomes, community impact, and portfolio insights for internal and external audiences.
Utilize technology and CRM systems to track and document interactions, grant milestones, and key metrics in alignment with data integrity standards.
Draft, edit, and proofread documents, reports, and presentations for clarity and accuracy; support program staff in preparing written materials related to the portfolio.
Prepare and organize grant meeting materials, accurately document grant decisions, and track grantee reporting and follow-up; collaborate with Grants Administration to ensure consistency in communication.
Provide project-based support for board-related meeting materials, presentations, and analysis as needed.
Manage project timelines and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines for assigned deliverables; implement assigned projects independently with regular guidance from the VP, Equity & Community Partnership.
Support special projects and program initiatives as needed, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Equity & Community Partnership portfolio operations.
Utilize foundation grantmaking and information systems in compliance with policies and adhere to standards of data integrity across all portfolio work.
Protect the organization’s confidential information through appropriate handling and archiving of sensitive information and documents.
Other duties as assigned by the VP, Equity & Community Partnership.