We are growing our team! 

ABOUT PROTEUS FUND

Proteus Fund partners with foundations, advocates and individual donors to advance democracy, human rights and peace. We work towards the realization of a just, equitable and democratic world. Our current major initiatives work to address money in politics and protect judicial independence and freedom of assembly; to counter anti-Muslim sentiment and build the capacity of organizations representing Muslim, Arab and South Asian communities; and to support collaboration between reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ advocates and faith leaders to protect fundamental rights.

Proteus Fund hosts donor collaboratives and fiscally sponsored projects and manages donor advised funds and a family foundation. The Grants Management Team works across all of these programs to award more than 400 grants annually. In 2019, Proteus awarded over $20 million in funding.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Grants & Operations Associate (GOA) supports the Grants Management Team and plays a pivotal role in the process of awarding more than 400 grants annually. You will be responsible for providing administrative, database and logistics support for the Grants Management Team and Proteus’ grantmaking programs, as well as general operational support for the organization. You will work with a variety of Proteus Fund programs, donor advised funds, fiscally sponsored projects, and a family foundation, as well as a many internal departments including the President, Donor Services, Programs, Finance, Human Resources and Operations. 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for social justice and a desire to grow within the field of philanthropy. This role will allow you to build knowledge about a philanthropic organization that works with a diverse field of grantees and partners in a dynamic environment as well as the field of grants management.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position based in the Amherst, MA, office or with the possibility of a remote work arrangement in Greater Boston or the Providence, RI area.

Key Responsibilities

• Play a vital role in the grants lifecycle by facilitating the collection and review of grant proposals. By accessing applications through the grants management database, sharing them with staff, and conducting a preliminary review of the applications, you will be intimately involved in the preliminary steps of the grantmaking lifecycle. You will have the opportunity to build a strong understanding of complex IRS regulations and legal compliance and will use those concepts to analyze grant applications and ensure they meet minimum funding requirements. 

• Act as the primary liaison with applicants and grantees. Through developing a deep understanding of Proteus’ funding priorities and due diligence procedures, you will respond to inquiries for funding and will be a partner to grantees as they move through the application, award, and reporting processes. You will field applicant questions as they apply for a grant and will assist applicants with technical questions as needed. You will also assist in the award and payment of grants by sending out grant agreements, collecting banking information for payment requests, and at the conclusion of a grant, working with grantees to collect their final report and close out the grant.

• Learn and maintain the grantmaking software. You will develop a deep understanding of Proteus’ grantmaking software (Blackbaud Grantmaking/GIFTS Online) and will maintain the online applications, run reports and pull data for program staff, ensure data integrity, and suggest and help implement improvements to processes and procedures.

• Provide administrative support for Proteus’ Amherst office and docket process. You will assist with the grant docket process by arranging docket meeting logistics, preparing standard materials for the docket book, and producing and shipping hard copy materials for docket meetings. You will also be in charge of purchasing office supplies for the Amherst office and will be the back-up for other administrative office duties.

• Update the grants index and assist with data visualization. You will use the grants management database, excel, and WordPress to update the grants index on the Proteus website. You will also be involved in finding creative ways to display our grantmaking data to program staff, the board, and the public.

• Grow expertise and knowledge of grants management. You will keep informed of the best practices in the grants management field, develop a good understanding of IRS regulations around lobbying, and recommend improvements to the grants management process.

 CANDIDATE PROFILE

The Grants & Operations Associate will be proactive and able to self-manage, prioritize work assignments, problem solve, manage multiple deadlines, and represent Proteus Fund in a professional manner. The ability to write and communicate clearly with a variety of stakeholders is vital. 

Additional requirements and experience include: 

• A team player with an ability to work with diverse teams with accountability and responsibility

• Ability to manage communications tactfully and professionally with high attention to detail and accuracy, as well as to manage one’s work in a fast-paced environment

• Versatility, adaptability and ability to multi-task in a team-focused environment 

• Time management and organization

• Proficiency of Microsoft Office Suite; Knowledge of  O365 and video conferencing platforms preferred

• Maturity in dealing with sensitive and sometimes difficult subjects impacting a diverse set of communities in the U.S.

• Proteus values academic and real-world experience. A bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years of work experience are indicative of qualification for this position. We also value candidates who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior work experience will help them contribute to the role. A candidate with 6-7 years of professional experience and an associate’s degree or high school diploma is also qualified for this position. 

Alignment to Culture and Values

• Commitment to vision and mission of Proteus as a progressive social justice organization 

• Cultural responsiveness and an alignment with our values and commitment to equity and inclusion

• Strong relationship building, high ethical standards, discretion and tact

• Personal qualities of humility and empathy

COMPENSATION 

The salary range for this position is $44,000-$61,000 per year.

BENEFITS

• Medical and dental benefits for employee and eligible dependents available on first day of work

• Retirement savings account (401k) with an organization contribution of 10% of annual salary

• Three weeks paid vacation in first year of work; four weeks in subsequent years

• Fifteen sick days per year

• Three personal days per year

• Twelve paid holidays

• Professional development initiatives for growth

• Paid Family Leave 

TO APPLY

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume by July 6, 2020.

Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at Proteus Fund, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.