The Frechette Family Foundation seeks a Director, Grantee and Community Partnerships to be an integral member of a small, collaborative team, comprised of an Executive Director and Manager, Operations and Grants Administration (to be hired), that partners with communities, nonprofit partners, peer funders, and its Board of Directors to advance the opportunity for all, particularly children and families, to thrive and realize their own idea of well being. 

Position: Director, Grantee and Community Partnerships – Chicago

Location: Hybrid (Downtown Chicago and remote)

Status: Full-time, exempt

Reports to: Executive Director

Salary Range: $90,000-$115,000, commensurate with experience

About Frechette Family Foundation

Founded in 1997, the Frechette Family Foundation is an intergenerational private family foundation that partners with innovative organizations and leaders whose work advances the opportunity for all, particularly children and families, to grow, thrive, and realize their own idea of well-being.  

The Foundation honors the values and legacy of founders Pete and Pat Frechette and is committed to sustaining the founders’ overarching values of humility, gratitude, respect, and trust.  We connect with others through kindness, empathy, and open mindedness; conduct our work with a joyful spirit; and seek to develop trusting, transparent and authentic relationships with community partners. The Foundation prioritizes continued learning and reflection to ensure that it remains a true learning organization committed to improvement in its work.

The Foundation’s focused grantmaking centers children, families and communities experiencing the greatest barriers to well-being in two primary geographic priority areas: Eagle River Valley, Colorado and Chicago, Illinois. Visit www.frechetteff.org to learn more.

The Opportunity and Role

Do you believe effective philanthropy starts with a respectful and mutual exchange of needs and goals?

Are you dedicated to empowering communities to grow, thrive, and realize their own well being?

Are you inspired by a sense of humanity and desire to empathize with and support others?

Are you a builder who finds joy in connecting people, resources, and innovative ideas for the greater good?

Can you design operational systems to maximize efficiencies?

Are you energized by the power of collective learning?

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director, Grantee and Community Partnerships will have responsibility for:

Relationship and Grants Management:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for grantee and community partners, facilitating supportive and mutually beneficial relationships.
• Provide guidance and support to grantee partners, offering technical assistance, capacity-building resources, and networking opportunities.
• Facilitate learning sessions, attend community events, and engage stakeholders to stay informed about local opportunities and issues.
• Manage grant application processes, including prospective grantee discussions, proposal evaluation, due diligence, and grant award decisions; and provide support to grantee partners throughout their grant term to facilitate the achievement of learning priorities, organizational goals and grant impact.

Community Partnership Development:

• Identify and cultivate strategic collaborations with potential grantees, community-based organizations, philanthropic and public funder partners, and other stakeholders whose work aligns with the Foundation’s focus areas.
• Represent the Foundation at external meetings, conferences, and events, and facilitate networking opportunities, collaborative initiatives, and knowledge-sharing to enhance collective impact.

Grantmaking Program Development and Implementation:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Foundation’s grantmaking planning processes, offering insights and recommendations based on community needs and partnership opportunities.
• Manage a multi-year budget, allocated annually, for the Chicago grantee portfolio, ensuring responsible and effective use of funding.
• Prepare regular reports and updates for foundation leadership and board members on grantee partnerships.
• Ensure transparency and accountability in all grantmaking and partnership activities.

Values, Experience and Skills

The Director, Grantee and Community Partnerships should be, have, or reflect the following:

• Caring individual with humility and integrity, and a passion to helping others with dedication, enthusiasm, and authenticity.
• Mission-driven individual who views philanthropy as a catalyst and partner for community engagement and change, and seeks to create a relational, transparent and responsive experience for grantee and community partners.
• Relational social impact leader who brings strong understanding of the systemic and structural barriers to opportunity facing children and families in Chicago.
• Strategic thinker who brings experience facilitating productive collaborations, designing and leading meetings among diverse stakeholders to cultivate deeper understanding and co-create solutions.
• Organized and motivated leader who demonstrates a high level of professionalism, with attention to maintaining sensitive and confidential information, strong written and oral communication skills, and a commitment to doing their best.
• Adaptability to change, comfort with ambiguity, and initiative and drive to build new programs.
• Commitment to the vision and values of the Frechette Family Foundation.
• Commitment to learning, exploring, and sharing for a common purpose. An openness to reflection to support growth and improvement of self and others.
• Experience and knowledge of community, nonprofit and/or philanthropic efforts to improve outcomes of children and families who live in Chicago communities impacted by racial, social and economic barriers.
• Bachelor’s degree required; prior experience in philanthropy and/or nonprofit work preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to travel occasionally, and work on some weekends and/or evenings.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is competitive (in the range of $90,000-$115,000, based on experience / qualifications). Competitive benefits include health and wellness package, retirement contribution, generous paid time off, discretionary grant benefit, and professional development resources,  

How to Apply

To apply, please submit via email a cover letter and resume to info@frechetteff.org with Subject Line: Applicant Name_Director, Grantee and Community Partnerships. The cover letter should be addressed to the attention of Barbara Hoffman, Executive Director, and describe why you are interested in the position and the work of the Frechette Family Foundation, how your interests and experience align with the opportunity. We will review applications regularly and expect to begin interviews in November, with hopes for a February 2025 start date.

The Frechette Family Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible work environment, and further recognize that diversity in our workforce fosters excellence and is reflected in the Foundation’s values.