Foundation Program & Grants Associate

New York Life•New York, NY

16h•$65,000 - $92,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The New York Life Foundation is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented Foundation Program & Grants Associate to help advance the Foundation’s grantmaking and partnership work. Working closely with the VP and program leads, this role supports strategic grantmaking, grants administration, RFP processes, grantee coordination, and project management of grantee deliverables. The Associate will conduct research, support proposal review and due diligence, track reports and outcomes, and draft grant recommendations, briefs, updates, and other materials for VP review. This role is ideal for someone who brings strong follow-through, clear communication, and a collaborative approach to supporting grantees, partners, and key Foundation initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
4+ years of relevant experience in philanthropy, grantmaking, grants administration, nonprofit programs, project coordination, or a related field.
Excellent writing and analytical skills, with the ability to develop clear recommendations, briefs, and updates for senior leaders and internal stakeholders.
Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate effectively across teams and stakeholders.
Highly detail-oriented and comfortable using grant systems and common tools (Excel/Sheets, SharePoint/Teams, etc.).
Sound judgment, reliable follow-through, and a collaborative working style, with the ability to engage professionally with external partners and work thoughtfully on sensitive topics.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting competitive RFP processes and managing grant or nonprofit partner relationships preferred.

Responsibilities

Support grant administration from initial research and due diligence through internal approvals, agreements, documentation, and complete grant files.
Support management of assigned grants across the lifecycle, including payment coordination, reporting, renewals, and closeout.
Draft grant recommendations and supporting materials by researching grantees, compiling key information, and summarizing strategic fit, rationale, risks, and terms for VP review.
Create and update core grant materials, including briefs, trackers, approval packets, contact lists, and closeout documentation.
Maintain accurate grant system entries, reminders, and review routing; identify process improvements in partnership with the operations team.
Support strong grantee relationships by coordinating meetings, agendas, logistics, follow-ups, and regular check-ins.
Attend assigned grantee and partner meetings; capture notes, decisions, and action items; and follow up to help ensure next steps are completed.
Track grantee reports and deliverables; summarize progress against scope, timelines, and outcomes; and flag risks or recommended next steps for VP review.
Research grantees and focus areas; prepare short briefs, talking points, and updates for leadership and internal stakeholders.
Provide administrative support for Foundation RFPs, including Community Impact Grants, Grief Reach, and Coaching the Future, which are managed by the Senior Associate. Support launch, outreach, review, selection, award documentation, reporting, and follow-up.
Coordinate applicant and grantee communications, information requests, office hours or convenings, and timely follow-up, elevating questions or issues as appropriate.
Maintain RFP calendars, application and review materials, trackers, scoring and decision documentation, and status updates; coordinate reviewers and help ensure key deadlines are met.
Provide project management support for grantee deliverables and Foundation initiatives, including milestones, timelines, dependencies, action logs, check-ins, and status updates.
Support the Grief-Supportive Workplace Initiative and Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative by coordinating partner touchpoints, trainings, materials, reporting requirements, and activities that advance adoption and impact.
Support grant-related trainings, convenings, partner meetings, timelines, logistics, and materials in collaboration with the engagement team.
Provide logistical support for grantee engagement activities and events, including on-site support as needed.
Contribute to other projects and priorities as needed to support the evolving work of the Foundation.