Director of Racial Equity Initiatives 

Director of Racial Equity Initiatives

Reports to (Title): Deputy Director of Programs

Department: Programs

Full-time and Remote

Salary : $102,000-$111,000

About Borealis Philanthropy

As a philanthropic intermediary, Borealis Philanthropy builds bridges between funders and organizers by creating opportunities for impact-driven investment in movements building a future that serves all of us.  We connect Grantmakers to organizations that share their mission. We team with philanthropy to conceive, develop, and implement grantmaking initiatives that resource the many innovative organizations within each of our respective grantmaking funds. Through our collaborative funds, we create opportunities for donors to learn from the organizers on the ground and provide resources to leaders, organizations, and movements pursuing transformational change. In partnering with philanthropy, we remove barriers to funding for grassroots organizations and invest in intersectional movement work across communities so that they have the resources they need to thrive.

About Racial Equity Initiatives

The Racial Equity Initiatives Director leads two funds in the initiative, Racial Equity to Accelerate Change (REACH) and the Racial Equity in Philanthropy Fund (REP)

The Racial Equity to Accelerate Change (REACH) Fund invests in racial equity practitioners to support nonprofit organizations with learning and strategy to integrate racial equity into their institutional policies, practices, culture, services, and programs. The REACH Fund directly resources practitioners to provide racial equity consultative services to nonprofit organizations.

The Fund prioritizes investment in practitioners who have a body of work around racial equity by resourcing their time and expertise to develop and scale tools and strategies for the benefit of the nonprofit sector. The Fund will also support cross-sharing, learning, and innovation among practitioners. Doing so will lift up promising practices, case studies, strategies, frameworks, and tools that facilitate nonprofits’ capacity to have a greater impact on addressing racial inequities, internally in their organizations and externally in program and service delivery.

The Racial Equity in Philanthropy (REP) Fund is a donor collaborative fund housed at Borealis Philanthropy which focuses on advancing racial equity within the philanthropic sector. The REP Fund invests in philanthropy serving organizations to inform, educate, and equip funders to integrate racial equity policies and practices into their grantmaking and programs. The Fund’s vision is to normalize grantmaking strategies that prioritize structural change and contribute to ending racial disparities. The REP Fund provides general operating, project support, and capacity-building grants to philanthropic-serving organizations. The REP Fund offers leadership enhancement, peer learning opportunities, and thought partnership support to grantees outside of grantmaking dollars.

Unique and preferred capacities for REI Director:  

• Has an in depth understanding of racial equity principles and practices
• Has a strong network in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors

Our Values 

Responsiveness, Racial Equity, Trust, People-Centered, Curiosity, Boldness

JOB OVERVIEW

The Program Director provides leadership and strategy in all aspects of planning, executing, and tracking one or more programs/projects with multiple stakeholders both internally and externally. The Program Director develops and implements program strategies, including fundraising, donor engagement/relationship, grantmaking, and capacity building/technical assistance to grantees. This position leads, hires, coaches, and provides direction to staff to execute outcomes within budget and in a timely manner.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / KEY JOB OUTCOMES 

• Provide program leadership, strategy and design regarding all aspects of program management, grantmaking process and activities, donor relations, and fundraising

• Translate donor needs into effective strategies and action plans and monitor and evaluate operational effectiveness
• Support cross-fund prospective fundraising conversations and opportunities in partnership with the Development Director
• Drive program planning and execution in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders other team members
• Manage financial and other resources, remove barriers, provide creative solutions to staff and external stakeholders to achieve program goals
• Coach, manage performance, influence, and leverage staff to execute programs within parameters including quality, timelines, and budget.

• Direct supervisor for the fund program officers
• Collaborate cross-functionally with finance and other team members regarding grant and program review, budget and compliance
• Review reports, analyze data, and evaluate information to mitigate risk, educate, and inform appropriately
• Serve as principal point of contact for program(s), build and maintain relationships with prospective grantee partners, grantees, and other constituents
• Manage all donor engagement including preparing and facilitating donor meetings, webinars and donor engagement events in partnership with the Development department.

• Manage all fund related fundraising activities including writing proposals, reports, and meeting with donor prospects in partnership with the Development Director
• Participate in public engagements and communication to represent the program including sector related conferences/events, blogging, media interviews, grantee learning and engagement events, external workshops etc.
• Model Borealis’ culture and values through values based behaviors, and aligned outcomes, practices and communication with all stakeholders internal and external.
• Other duties as assigned

 EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree
• Eight (8) years of experience in program management; five (5) years in philanthropy as a grantmaker in-field level or social movements preferred
• Five (5) years of experience leading and supervising staff
• Five (5) years of fundraising experience

• Experience facilitating group conversations of varying sizes

COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills & Personal/Behavioral Attributes) 

• Excellent communications skills and experience designing/developing communications products in a variety of formats

• Demonstrated problem-solving, solution development, and analytical skills
• Demonstrated experience working and building relationships with clients and stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to interact and network effectively with all levels of staff, including senior leadership
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and to think conceptually, strategically, and learn quickly

• Ability to meet deadlines, adhere to project plans, and work on several projects simultaneously
• Ability to identify and mitigate risks to the program

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

This job operates in a virtual office environment with frequent national travel.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment, and the employee is generally subjected to long periods of sitting, typing, and working at a computer. May require the ability to occasionally lift and transport items.

Commitment to Disability, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:  Borealis is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application orDirector interview process, please contact [[email protected]]. Borealis is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive staff team. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color, LGBTQ, women, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities; and/or formerly incarcerated people.