Job Description

The COVID crisis and the uprising for racial justice have shone national light on both the urgent work required to build a more just and vibrant society for all Americans and the potential for positive action when our communities mobilize. In most cases, these efforts are spearheaded by nonprofits, community organizations, and their heroic staff who deliver essential services like affordable housing, social justice advocacy, health, youth development, and the arts. Yet these nonprofits and the communities they support operate within a flawed, inequitable funding system that controls their access to resources, impeding their ability to make a difference.

Nonprofit Finance Fund is setting out to change that. We know that nonprofit leaders have power when they have access to capital and financial knowledge. Our strategy focuses on helping to shift that power by changing funding and financing practices so more money flows equitably and with less restriction to community-centered organizations led by and serving people of color, so they can be the drivers of their own change.

POSITION SUMMARY:

NFF’s Financial Services team provides nonprofit organizations with capital for their facilities and operational needs. In particular, we are committed to ensuring communities of color and their leaders have access to and control of the capital they need to meet their goals. We do this by partnering with organizations to ensure our financing products meet their needs now and as they evolve over time.

At a high level, our lending process looks like this: our business development team develops relationships with nonprofit organizations aligned with NFF’s mission and strategy; our underwriting team assesses the organization’s capacity to be successful in meeting their mission and repaying NFF’s loan and ensures that loans are closed in accordance with the agreed-upon business terms; and our portfolio management team manages the client relationship once NFF makes a loan to make sure we payout the loan as agreed upon, monitors the progress of the project, and stays abreast of our client’s needs and any changes that may occur with the organization or its ability to repay the NFF loan over time. NFF also manages a New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program, which supports high-impact real estate projects.

NFF is hiring a Lending Associate to support the business development, underwriting, and NMTC teams by helping move forward critical aspects of the lending process to enable the team to be more responsive to clients. The Lending Associate will contribute to the process in a variety of ways from the time we are first introduced to a client until a client’s loan closes. For example, the Lending Associate will conduct intake calls with potential candidates to assess their needs and match for NFF financing, conduct market research, assist in aspects of credit analysis like organizational assessment, spread financials, and manage due diligence and closing checklists.

Qualified candidates will be energized by our strategic direction of supporting community-centered nonprofits led by and serving people of color. They will value relationships and demonstrate an ability to develop rapport with diverse constituencies. Successful Lending Associates will be comfortable in a fast-paced work environment and exercise excellent time and task management skills; work efficiently within a team structure; communicate in a clear, compelling, and accessible manner; exhibit a high level of individual accountability; and embody NFF’s values in all tasks and responsibilities. Lending Associates must be comfortable playing a support role and taking the lead when asked.

This position can be based out of any one of NFF’s office locations which are in Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Oakland, and Philadelphia. Though we are currently working remotely and will not require attendance in any office until Spring 2021 at the earliest.

The Associate receives supervision from the Director, Underwriting.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Client Services

• Manage loan inquiries that come through NFF’s website, including tracking them, scheduling calls with organizations to learn more about their request, and sharing findings with the team to determine the appropriate path forward.
• Lead the engagement process for project appraisals, including soliciting bids from appraisal firms, securing contracts, and ensuring payment.
• Assist in preparation of presentations for potential and current clients.

Research and Analysis

• Conduct market research on specific geographies or sectors of interest to NFF.
• Conduct research on funding sources, policy issues, and legislative and budget updates relevant to NFF clients and potential clients.
• Conduct research on client programs, history, and management team, and provide written analysis for credit memos.
• Prepare charts, tables, and maps for credit memos.
• Analyze client financial statements and provide a written narrative for credit memos, as requested.

Data Management

• Spread client financial statements.
• Enter and oversee the maintenance of client data into Salesforce and other NFF systems, including notes from client calls.
• Help manage data collection for special programs.
• Liaise with NFF’s Operations team to create process efficiencies.
• Manage the tracking and saving of due diligence items for clients.

We are seeking candidates who are excited to play a role as we grow and evolve our financing practice so that it is more responsive to the capital needs of communities of color, the organizations that support them, and their leaders. Strong candidates will share our commitment to ensuring communities of color and their leaders have access to and control of the capital they need to meet their goals. In order to be successful in this role, they must enjoy connecting with and centering the perspective of clients as much as performing the daily duties of the job.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• 2-4 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of the social sector and racial equity.
• Professional maturity and demonstrated ability to build, manage, and deepen relationships, particularly with diverse constituencies.
• Approach relationships by actively listening and showing empathy.
• Willingness to work collaboratively and support various functions.
• Excellent and proactive communication (verbal and written).
• Ability to work independently after receiving initial guidance and proactively seek additional guidance as needed.
• Openness to learn and take learnings to the next assignment.
• Strong time management, project management, and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to conduct thorough desk research and clear and concise written analysis within a short time frame.
• Strong analytical ability and attention to detail.
• Commitment to data collection and integrity.
• Demonstrated ability and desire to take on increased responsibility over time.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with Salesforce preferred.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/BENEFICIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with nonprofit lending.
• Familiarity with nonprofit financial management, accounting / financial statements, and operations.
• Knowledge of one or more NFF sectors of focus, such as health care, charter schools, and human services.

COMPENSATION:

At NFF, we are invested in discussing the depth and breadth of each candidate’s background and experience during the interview process and using that information to determine the best offer. The salary range for the Associate position begins at $55,500. NFF also provides an attractive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, standard holidays, and commuter benefits.

PLEASE NOTE:

All salaries are commensurate with experience and include an attractive benefits package.

Nonprofit Finance Fund is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce. Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

NFF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or military or veteran status in accordance with federal law. In addition, NFF complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it maintains facilities. NFF also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.

This job posting provides a general list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required for this position. It does not represent a contract for employment and NFF reserves the right to change the description and/or posting at any time without notice.

When applying, please DO NOT include any of the following information with your job application: Social Security number; driver's license number or state-issued identification card number; financial account number, or credit or debit card number.

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