About the position Community Leadership Officer (CLO): The CLO will conduct due diligence on grant proposals, make funding recommendations, and serve as a liaison with nonprofits, community organizations, and stakeholders. The CLO is detail-oriented, analytical, and passionate about community leadership and philanthropy. The role must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, as well as the Foundation’s established policies and procedures. About us: The Indianapolis Foundation was one of the very first community foundations in the United States. It was created in 1916, received its first gift in 1920, and made its first grant in 1924. The Indianapolis Foundation, together with the Central Indiana Community Foundation, comprises a $1.2 billion collaborative of philanthropic organizations committed to making Central Indiana a community where all residents thrive. Our combined missions aim to mobilize people, ideas, and investments to make Central Indiana a community where all individuals have an equitable opportunity to reach their full potential—no matter place, race, or identity. Job Summary: The Community Leadership Officer (CLO) will support the Indianapolis Foundation’s grantmaking activities with a focus on health equity and community well-being. The CLO will conduct due diligence on grant proposals, make funding recommendations, and serve as a liaison with nonprofits, community organizations, and stakeholders. The CLO is detail-oriented, analytical, and passionate about community leadership and philanthropy. The role must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, as well as the Foundation’s established policies and procedures. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required, along with travel to off-site events, including community meetings. This position is part of the foundation’s Community Leadership team, reporting to the Director of Impact and Evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Grantmaking Assessment and Analysis: Review and analyze grant proposals, assessing their alignment with the foundation’s mission and strategic priorities. Conduct due diligence on potential grantees, including financial assessments, programmatic quality, and outcome analysis. Prepare comprehensive summaries and recommendations for grant proposals in decision-making processes.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Maintain a generalist understanding of various subject areas relevant to the foundation’s equity priorities, but particularly those in the areas of health and community well-being. Stay informed about trends, best practices, and emerging issues within the area of health and well-being to provide informed insights to the grantmaking team.
• Communication and Relationship Management: Serve as a primary point of contact for grant applicants and grantees. Foster positive relationships with grantees, nonprofits, and community-based organizations, ensuring effective communication and support throughout the grant lifecycle. Coordinate and facilitate communication between internal teams and external stakeholders, community organizations and partners.
• Support for Grantmaking Processes: Assist in the development and refinement of grant application materials, guidelines, and reporting criteria. Track and manage grant application submissions, ensuring timely processing, notifications, and adherence to deadlines. Participate in site visits and grant review meetings, providing insights and recommendations based on thorough analysis of proposals.
• Reporting and Documentation: Maintain accurate records of grants, applications, decisions, and correspondence in the foundation’s repositories. Support analysis of funded projects by collecting data, reports, and feedback. Assist in preparing reports and presentations on grantmaking activities for internal and external stakeholders. Provide due diligence and recommendations for donors or co-funders as needed.
• Special Fund Support: Manage processes for special funds as needed, including but not limited to the solicitation of new requests, application review, the development of approval memos, and grantee interface. Convene key stakeholders of special funds and support partnerships as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in health and wellness, public health, community health, social sciences, public policy, nonprofit management, or related disciplines.
• Experience: At least two (2) years in the nonprofit or public sector, with expertise in grantmaking, project management, or task group coordination.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication abilities, with the capacity to articulate complex concepts clearly and effectively.
• Collaboration & Independence: A proactive team player who can also work independently under moderate supervision.
• Organizational Excellence: Exceptional ability to manage priorities, multitask, and maintain strong organizational skills.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in Microsoft Office and CSR software applications.
• Scheduling Flexibility: Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Mobility: Ability to travel between office locations and attend off-site events.
• Operational Knowledge: Familiarity with general office equipment and administrative processes.
• Licensing Requirement: Valid driver’s license required.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (e.g., health and wellness, public health, community health, social sciences, public policy, nonprofit management, or related disciplines), and four (4) years’ experience in the not-for-profit or public sector with experience in grantmaking, project management, and/or task group management.

Benefits

• Employer-provided health, dental, vision
• 7% percent employer discretionary 403b contribution
• 10.5 paid holidays, including MLK Day and Juneteenth
• Flexible, hybrid work arrangement