Program Officer, Arts and Culture
About The Position
The Program Officer, Arts & Culture advances the Cleveland Foundation's impact goals by cultivating strong relationships with artists, cultural organizations, creative leaders, and community stakeholders throughout Greater Cleveland. Through strategic grantmaking, engagement, and partnership development, this role helps identify opportunities, address challenges, and strengthens an arts and culture ecosystem that supports growth in our region, vibrant neighborhoods, and connecting people to prosperity. The Program Officer manages a portfolio of grants and initiatives while serving as a connector, listener, and thought partner to organizations working to deliver excellence in the arts, expand access to arts and culture, strengthen arts mastery, and foster community vitality. The Program Officer, Arts and Culture reports to the VP of Grantmaking and will work closely with the Chief Impact Officer on long-term initiatives.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in public policy, public administration, social work, education, business or a related field strongly preferred
- A minimum of 3 years in a similar role, demonstrating evidence of mastery of managing increasingly complex projects and strategic leadership in the field
- Significant experience working in the City of Cleveland’s neighborhoods
- Passion for Cleveland and its arts and culture sector
- Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
- Exceptional writing and presentation skills
Nice To Haves
- Strong collaboration skills across multidisciplinary teams and diverse communities
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and working knowledge of database systems (e.g. Salesforce)
- Experience working in one or more of the following sectors – health and human services, community development, community organizing, neighborhood revitalization, or any other related fields
Responsibilities
- Identifies opportunities to strengthen impact through partnerships and coordinated investments
- Supports planning, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives that advance Foundation priorities
- Influence public, private, non-profit and community partners to become champions of the work, embedding the work into the overall system
- Facilitate connections and convene stakeholders around opportunities to advance systems change and community solutions
- Prepare briefings and community insights for internal leadership and colleagues
- Represent the Foundation in public engagements, panels, learning sessions, and working groups
- Provide strategic direction and oversight for programs/grants to deliver results for the long-term Impact Agenda outcomes
- Educate and support partners in developing and tracking outcomes
- Inspire and connect donors to specific projects related to the Impact Agenda
- Assess progress and make changes/adaptations in real time, ensuring the lessons learned are incorporated into ongoing work, outcomes identified and progress made
- Identify and implement when appropriate policy and/or advocacy agenda
- Manages a portfolio of grants and projects aligned with Foundation priorities.
- Conducts proposal reviews, organizational assessments, and due diligence activities.
- Develops grant recommendations and supporting materials for internal review and board consideration.
- Evaluates grant performance, outcomes, and reporting requirements.
- Provides technical assistance and guidance to applicants and grantees throughout the grant lifecycle.
- Supports the implementation of strategic grantmaking priorities and initiatives.
- Maintains accurate grant records and documentation.
- Leverage sector-specific expertise and remain abreast of best practices, trends and innovations, and policy implications shaping key issues impacting the Foundation’s tri-county footprint (Cuyahoga, Geauga, & Lake Counties)
- Contribute to a culture of innovation, ideation, and data-driven decision making across all facets of the Foundation’s work both in immediate and long-term grantmaking
- Support and strengthen partners through capacity building, problem solving, site visits, and outcome tracking to ensure accountability and community impact
- Collectively identify and recommend training and development needs to enhance team performance and grantmaking impact; collaborate with others on opportunities applicable to the entire enterprise
- Engage with donors through facilitated group conversations and individual meetings; share expertise and knowledge of the community in service of impactful and informed donor-advised grantmaking
- Support peers in the onboarding process for smooth integration into and understanding of TCF best practices and operations; function as a thought partner for ongoing Program Officer development
- Contribute to the Foundation’s overall strategic planning and organizational development
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
