David Rahr Community Philanthropy Program Assistant

DescriptionWorking at the Vermont Community FoundationFor 40 years, the Vermont Community Foundation has served Vermonters and their families through philanthropy and building stronger communities. Our mission—Better Together: inspiring giving and bringing together people and resources to make a difference in Vermont—provides the bedrock for our workplace culture. Our employees are passionate about making a difference every day. We approach our work with curiosity, respect, and integrity, and believe in collaboration, equity, and diversity. When you join our team, your work will matter to Vermont communities.This is a 24-month position with a desired start date in June 2026.Position DescriptionThe David Rahr Community Philanthropy Program Assistant role offers a valuable opportunity for a graduating college senior, recent graduate, or master’s candidate to gain exposure to the many ways philanthropy strengthens the economic, civic, social, and cultural fabric of Vermont communities. The Program Assistant will build a strong connection to Vermont and deepen their knowledge and skills around community development and impact, foundations and philanthropy, grantmaking, and nonprofit administration.The Program Assistant is a member of the Community Impact (CI) team and works closely with the Director of Grants and the Director of Strategic Initiatives, who provide mentorship and guidance. Opportunities may also include attending conferences and webinars to grow knowledge of philanthropy and grantmaking.We are looking for someone who is comfortable engaging with diverse groups of people, curious to learn strategies for grantmaking, eager to dig into data and spreadsheets, and able to support the team through research and problem-solving. Our ideal candidate is committed to promoting equity, addressing structural racism, and fostering belonging for all. We welcome self-starters who value collaboration and demonstrate keen attention to the details. Requirement: The Program Assistant will also complete a self-directed research project on a topic relevant to Vermont communities and grantmaking, with support from their manager and team.Experience GainedDeepened understanding of philanthropy and strategies that help close the opportunity gap for Vermonters while building resiliency in Vermont communities Opportunities to build relationships with a wide variety of nonprofit organizations and partners at the local, regional, and state levelsInsight into how nonprofit organizations and partners create impactExperience leveraging grant dollars and local investments to make a lasting difference in the lives of VermontersParticipation as a valued member of a high-functioning team and an organization committed tomaking Vermont’s communities strongerExposure to innovative and collaborative approaches to grantmakingWhat This Role InvolvesProgram Team Support, Research & StorytellingAnalyze and research community needs, trends, and ideas that inform grantmaking or further the VCF’s missionLearn about, and develop, high-impact reports that synthesize data and share stories to motivate and inform philanthropic investmentSupport the development of landscape scans to deepen understanding of community priorities across VermontReview grant reports to assess outcomes and support organizational learningParticipate in competitive grant rounds and community engagement processes, including supporting grant evaluation and decision-making and responding to applicant and grantee inquiries Represent the VCF at events and site visits across the stateCoordinate convenings with grantees, funders, and partnersWork with colleagues across the organization to implement aligned funding strategiesGrantmaking Team Administrative SupportContribute as an active member of the grants administration and support team within the CI teamProvide technical support and training for applicants, grantees, internal staff, and external committees and advisors using the online grants management software and community portal Work directly with grant seekers via phone and email to answer questions and provide clarification of the Foundation’s overall grantmaking priorities, direction regarding application procedures, and feedback on proposals RequirementsSkills, Experience & CharacteristicsAbility to build trust, contribute collaboratively, and support problem-solving effortsA positive attitude, the ability to communicate authentically, and the self-knowledge to handle difficult conversations with graceInterest and/or experience in gathering, tracking, and analyzing dataExcellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple prioritiesInitiative, adaptability, and comfort working with self-directionRespect for colleagues, donors, and community partners, with an eagerness to collaborateExcellent customer service and responsiveness to a variety of stakeholdersAbility to travel throughout the stateComfort with technology and interest in learning new systems, including online grants management software and databasesLocationThis is a hybrid position with access to office spaces in Middlebury or Burlington. Regular in-person meetings with the CI team and full VCF staff will be required.