ABOUT PROTEUS FUND 

Proteus Fund connects philanthropy to the frontlines of social justice. We strive to advance the interconnected goals of racial, gender, queer and disability justice and an inclusive, fully representative democracy. To do our work effectively and with significant impact, Proteus Fund creates dynamic relationships between progressive philanthropists, movement leaders, and other allies that go far beyond transactional grantmaking. Our trusted position among funders and field actors enables us to support, both through collaborative grantmaking and other efforts, a broad array of strategies to achieve social justice victories. Our donor collaboratives are best-in-class models for bridging responsive philanthropy and cutting-edge social justice movements for deeper impact, aligning resources with critical needs, and shaping strategy alongside our partners. Through our fiscal sponsorship program, Proteus Fund partners with initiatives that play a powerful role in the larger ecosystem for social change, providing them with tailored and comprehensive organizational support.  

To date, Proteus Fund, and its affiliated 501c4 organization, the Proteus Action League, have distributed over $300 million in grants and provided other essential tools to support activists, advocates, networks, coalitions, and issue-specific campaigns at the local, state, and national level. Proteus Fund has offices in New York City and metro Boston. Our staff is based across the entire United States.  

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Under the supervision of the Proteus Fund’s Vice President of Programs (VPP), the Program Associate provides critical operational, logistical, and administrative support to ensure efficient completion of the VPP’s objectives, including supporting all aspects of the VPP’s projects, internal program development, external fundraising and thought leadership efforts. In order to understand the roles and responsibilities of the Program Associate, applicants must first understand the primary functions of the Vice President for Programs. A summary of the VPP’s responsibilities are as follows: 
 

Proteus Fund’s Vice President for Programs has significant leadership responsibility for advancing Proteus Fund’s powerful vision of racial, gender, queer, and disability justice, and representative, inclusive democracy. The VPP has overall oversight of Proteus’ Donor Collaborative. Proteus currently has four Donor Collaboratives: The Piper Fund; RISE Together Fund; Rights, Faith, and Democracy Collaborative; and the Solidarity Collaborative.  The VPP also takes the lead in cultivating and developing new Donor Collaboratives. Last, Proteus’ Director of Strategic Partnerships, charged with leading fundraising for Proteus’ Donor Collaboratives, reports to the VPP. The Program Associate will be responsible for supporting the VPP’s work.    

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) hybrid position based in New York City, and working in Proteus Fund’s office in Manhattan three days a week. 

 
Key Responsibilities 

• Manage VPP’s calendaring and scheduling. 

• Provide support for internal and external meetings of the VPP, including keeping track of actions resulting from meetings.  

• Organize activities such as meetings, travel, and department activities 

• Support the VPP with other administrative needs, including preparing responses to phone or email inquiries when necessary; responding to regularly occurring requests for information; managing VPP’s travel; completing expense reports and credit card reconciliation. 

• Support VPP’s work to cultivate Proteus donor collaborative cross-learning and sharing.  

• Support VPP’s work to deepen the development of strong donor collaborative practice across Proteus 

• Support execution of convenings and gatherings of the Proteus donor collaborative teams and current and potential donors to all donor collaboratives. 

• With the VPP and Grants Management Team, provide logistical support for the Grantee, Safety, and Security Fund, an internal Proteus fund which supports the physical and digital security and health and wellness of Proteus grantees. 

• Provide research support to the VPP on developments in social justice philanthropy and the use of donor collaboratives as an approach to social justice philanthropy. 

•  In collaboration with VPP, monitor the annual budget for the VPP. 

• Assist in production of promotional materials and other VPP communications.  

• Act as a liaison with other departments such as Grants Management, Donor Services, and Finance. Handle confidential information. 

• Provide support for the VPP in his work to develop new donor collaboratives. 

CANDIDATE PROFILE 

The Program Associate possesses a deep understanding of social justice, a commitment to advancing racial, gender, queer, and disability justice, and representative, inclusive democracy, and a track record of working with diverse communities. They have two years + of formal or informal experience supporting a team in a non-profit setting or other equivalent experience. The Program Associate possesses exceptional attention to detail, quality writing and editing skills, and strong interpersonal and organizational skills. We value candidates who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior experiences will help them transition into this role. 

Additional requirements and experience include: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Skillful, culturally competent communication and ability to manage communications tactfully and professionally. 

• Excellent analytical and research skills. 

• Proficiency at juggling competing priorities while remaining organized and strong project management skills, such as creating realistic timelines and proactively identifying and flagging potential roadblocks to meeting deadlines. 

• Excelling at tasks requiring high attention to detail and accuracy in a fast-paced environment. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (or similar platform); knowledge of Office 365 and video conferencing platforms. Ability and comfort with learning new technologies. 

• Emotional intelligence to navigate sensitive and sometimes difficult subjects impacting a diverse set of communities in the U.S. 

• Commitment to the mission and values of progressive social justice movements and Proteus’ commitment to resourcing movements for racial, gender, queer, and disability justice, and representative, inclusive democracy equitably.  

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

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

• Personal qualities of humility and empathy 

COMPENSATION 

The salary range for this role is $70,000 – 73,000 annually and is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, skill set level, years of previous/applicable experience, and Proteus Fund's commitment to ensuring pay equity within the organization. Salary is one part of the total compensation that Proteus Fund provides to employees. 

BENEFITS 

Proteus Fund is committed to ensuring that its employees are supported holistically, from compensation, benefits and resources to an enriching work environment and collaborative culture. Proteus Fund leads the market in a number of its offerings, including a sector-leading retirement plan contribution and robust benefits package. The recruiting team will share more information regarding this commitment and offerings. 

• 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 

• Fifteen paid holidays 

• Professional development initiatives for growth 

• Life Insurance 

• Paid Family Leave, short-term, and long-term disability 

TO APPLY  

For consideration, please submit a resume and a detailed cover letter by October 11th that describes: 1) Your interest in the position and Proteus Fund 2) Your experiences that satisfy the requirements and qualifications listed above, and 3) How you learned of this position. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered. 

Proteus Fund believes that one of the greatest strengths of an organization is the rich diversity of its staff and board and is committed to providing equal employment and promotional opportunities based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under the law. Proteus Fund’s policies and practices are to reflect Proteus Fund’s commitment to nondiscrimination in all areas of employment.  

Proteus Fund is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Proteus will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 413-256-0349 option 3. Additionally, throughout this document, use of the pronoun “they” is intended to be inclusive of humans who identify as non-binary as well as those of gender expansive identities and experiences.  

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT 

Please note, in an effort to maintain and safeguard staff's health, well-being, and safety, Proteus Fund requires all employees to be vaccinated prior to their employment and adhere to the regular upkeep of COVID-19 vaccination requirements as per CDC recommendations while employed. Proof of the CDC-recommended level of COVID-19 vaccination is required as a condition of employment with Proteus Fund.