About Blue Shield of California Foundation
Blue Shield of California Foundation (the Foundation) is one of the largest and most trusted philanthropic organizations in California. Its grantmaking is focused on supporting the well-being of our most vulnerable communities and those facing the most adversity. The Foundation's bold mission is to build lasting and equitable solutions that make California the healthiest state in the nation and end domestic violence. In 2018, the Foundation awarded over $26 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and programs across California.
Job Overview
Grantmaking
- Works collaboratively with the Policy Director and/or Program Officers to conduct research, identify potential grant partners, support the development of project plans, assess proposals, develop grant objectives and evaluation criteria as part of a cross-disciplinary team.
Managing Portfolio of Grants
- Leads and executes grantmaking activities as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including due diligence and processing of grants.
- Works with internal and external stakeholders to manage the flow of information and due diligence documents to ensure grants are processed appropriately and information is accurately recorded in our systems.
- Proactively solves and overcomes obstacles to execute grants and ensure success of grantees.
- Drafts grant recommendations for the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Evaluation and Learning
- Develops evaluation criteria for grants in partnership with the Policy Director and Program Officers that are aligned with goals and outcomes.
- Reviews all grant reports to ensure grant requirements are met and addresses any deficiencies.
- Analyzes grant reports to identify trends, lessons learned, insights and progress against goals and outcomes.
- Prepares memos and shares appropriately in support of Foundation evaluation and learning activities.
Consultants and Grantees
- Supports the work of the Program Team in identifying, retaining, and managing consultants.
- Acts as the primary point of contact for grantees and responds to questions appropriately and timely to ensure a positive relationship between grantees and the Foundation.
- Acts creatively and uses strong inter-personal skills to address and resolve problems or issues with consultants or grantees.
Communications
Collaborates with the Foundation's Public Affairs Team, providing content information, and serves as a subject matter expert for Foundation publications, events, press releases, website updates, conference presentations, and public announcements of funding.
Internal Engagement and Collaboration
- Works collaboratively and participates on cross-disciplinary teams with colleagues at the Foundation.
- Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to work in a matrixed organization.
Fiscal Oversight
- Oversees the grantee budget and expenditures.
- Approves any deviations from approved plans and budgets, and ensures that such changes are documented.
- Collaborates with staff to provide information about budget projections, budget deviations, and payout expectations.
Organizational Knowledge
- Maintains an in-depth knowledge of the priorities, strategies, and selection criteria for the Foundation’s programs.
Qualifications
Minimum Education & Experience Requirements
- A minimum of bachelor’s degree is required.
- A minimum of four years of program management, including some grantmaking experience with nonprofit organizations, community-based or philanthropic organizations, or public institutions.
- Limited travel required.
Preferences
- Master's degree or equivalent experience preferred; bachelor’s degree is required, with a preference for a degree in public health, public affairs or public policy.
Knowledge and Skills
- Passion for the Foundation’s mission is essential.
- Demonstrated strategic and critical thinking skills and strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills to be able to interface effectively with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to represent the Foundation in diverse forums and maintain broad organizational relationships.
- Ability to assess the leadership, track record, fiscal health, and capacity of a nonprofit organization to lead a proposed program or project.
- Demonstrated ability to balance multiple complex projects and priorities.
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Strong sense of professional integrity.
- Creative, enthusiastic, and independent; demonstrates a high degree of initiative; productive and results-oriented.
- Demonstrated ability to participate on cross-disciplinary teams.
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable to work in a matrixed organization.
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in a rapidly changing internal and external landscape.