Vice President for Grantmaking - As a member of the Foundation’s senior staff reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for Grantmaking participates in the strategic planning and goal-setting process that determines how the Foundation seeks to fulfill its mission; maintains a high standard of compliance with philanthropic industry standards; and assists in creating a strong, positive image for the Foundation.
 

About us: 

The Indianapolis Foundation was one of the very first community foundations in the United States. It was created by Fletcher Savings and Trust Company president Evans Woolen and two other banks in 1916, received its first gift in 1920, and made its first grant in 1924. In the years and decades that followed, the Indianapolis Foundation became a force for good in the community as it sought to achieve the goal articulated by its first executive director, Eugene Foster: “To help in making Indianapolis not the biggest city, but rather, the best city in the land.”

In 1997, the Indianapolis Foundation partnered with Hamilton County Community Foundation, then known as the Legacy Fund, to form Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). Central Indiana Community Foundation, the Indianapolis Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana are a $1 billion collective of philanthropic organizations committed to making Central Indiana a community where all individuals have equitable opportunity to reach their full potential – no matter place, race or identity. Our values include anti-racism, authentic relationships, inclusivity, leadership, effectiveness and sustainability. 

What We’re Looking For: 

The Indianapolis Foundation (IF) seeks an experienced philanthropy professional who is passionate about equity to oversee the administration of the Foundation’s grantmaking operations and provide staff leadership for all grant programs. As a member of the Foundation’s senior staff reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for Grantmaking participates in the strategic planning and goal-setting process that determines how the Foundation seeks to fulfill its mission; maintains a high standard of compliance with philanthropic industry standards; and assists in creating a strong, positive image for the Foundation. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of senior community leadership officers and community leadership officers to support grantmaking goals and objectives outlined in the Indianapolis Foundation (IF) strategic plan.
• Provide credible and authentic leadership of equity that is reflected across the grant portfolios and serve as an effective spokesperson for the case for equity as core to the identity and value of IF.
• With the President and the Board of Directors, provide strategic direction for IF grant program based on current research and environmental analysis; set goals and evaluate program and grantee outcomes; provide due diligence and recommend grants to the President for subsequent approval by the Board of Directors.
• Provide a systems perspective to strategic grantmaking and gain maximum leverage of IF discretionary grants through co-investment, impact investment, private capital, and public funding.
• Demonstrate knowledge and have a recognized standing in the grantmaking community.
• Maintain independent study, professional development and contact with a representative cross-section of other funders and leaders in philanthropy within the region.
• Develop clear and compelling theories of change and logic models for the IF grant making strategies, and in partnership with the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, produce understandable, engaging, and inspiring marketing collateral.
• Partner with the Director of Learning and Evaluation to establish measures and indicators for the grant strategies. Produce timely impact reports that inspire donors and partners to continue their support for these strategies. 
• Manage the overall grant making policies and procedures in accordance with the foundation’s equity lens and industry standards and best practices. 
• Supervise the flow of docket information to the President for subsequent review by the Board of Directors. Supervise the Program Manager for the Elevation Grant Program (i.e., Violence Reduction effort funded by the City of Indianapolis) ensuring the effective award of grants under the program, the timely and efficient execution of all grant priorities and reporting responsibilities, and the direct oversight of the operations and evaluation for the program including consultant supervision and timely delivery of services.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Foundation’s grantmaking team and functions including: 

o Hiring and supervision of grant staff;

o Creating and adapting administrative office procedures as necessary; identify, develop and implement administrative workflow processes; monitor procedures and ensure quality control; 

o Oversee grant contracts;

o Manage the learning and evaluation staff;

o Develop and monitor the operating expense and grants budgets for the Foundation and provide progress reports and recommendations to the Finance team and Board of Directors; assist accounting firms in providing information for financial reporting and annual filings;

o In concert with the President build a strong and effective staff team that reflects the principals and values of the Foundation. 

For applicants who believe they can meet the overall expectations of the position, we encourage you to apply. 

• Desired Attributes. You have at least a bachelor’s degree required; Masters in Philanthropy, Fundraising; MBA, MPA, or related field highly preferred. At least 5 years of professional grantmaking experience or in nonprofit leadership; 2+ years in a C-level role, or its equivalent, reporting to the President. Your track record on effective grantmaking is second-to-none. 
• Commitment to DEI. Your professional career demonstrates a clear passion and accomplishment for the integration of DEI into practices leading to superior outcomes. 
• Strategic. You bring a track record of strategic based grant making that has delivered positive changes in meaningful metrics and you have a keen understanding of moving from tactical funding to strategic systems change.
• Results-Focused. You consistently deliver measurable outcomes, leverage data in decision-making, and can juggle multiple priorities while achieving outstanding results.
• Builder. Relationships, teams, partnerships, and a shared vision – you build these with intentionality and rigor.
• Learner. You seek to understand the world around you, challenge your own viewpoints, and continually think about how to deliver better results with your team, colleagues, and external partners.
• Exceptional People Manager (required). Leading teams and helping your colleagues perform at their best are among your deepest passions. You offer constructive feedback in a timely manner, hold people with a developmental mindset, and create accountability around our shared work.
• Flexible. Ambiguity doesn’t scare you; it invigorates you. You’re able to manage through complexity, coach team members and colleagues through challenges, and keep IF’s mission and values at the center of key decisions.
• Inclusive. You understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t “nice to have,” but critical to enabling positive results. You insist on diversity of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and lived experiences as you build coalitions.
• Great Communicator. Ability to communicate well, act effectively as liaison between management/Board/program staff and support staff and adjust to changing priorities.

Working Conditions: Flexible hybrid office environment (in office three days a week). Home base–English Foundation Building in downtown Indianapolis. 

What You Get:

• $175,000 salary plus generous benefits, including:
• Employer-provided health, dental, vision 
• 7% percent employer discretionary 403b contribution
• 10.5 paid holidays, including MLK Day and Juneteenth
• Flexible, hybrid work arrangement - Work from home on Mondays and Fridays
• Homebase–Newly renovated office space conveniently located downtown, just steps from Mass Ave.
• An opportunity to do meaningful, results-driven work with a passionate, diverse team, supporting organizations that are committed to building and maintaining a strong, equitable and supportive culture for our team of changemakers.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT:  

Central Indiana Community Foundation, The Indianapolis Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana are equal opportunity employers that seek to recruit persons of diverse backgrounds and to support their retention and advancement. Justice is one of our core values, and we are committed to fostering a workplace culture inclusive of people with respect to their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, age, disabilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs or any other characteristic. Our commitment to justice and diversity also means providing a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and engaging. 

Our mission is to mobilize people, ideas and investments to make Central Indiana a community where all individuals have equitable opportunity to reach their full potential—no matter place, race or identity. 

Racism deeply impacts the well-being of our communities, compounding existing disparities and creating intersectional barriers. We strive to name and address these barriers through community engagement and assessment, relevant and effective policy creation, and organizational accountability methods. We support initiatives that address all forms of oppression, however, maintaining an explicit focus on race is essential to advancing equity across our communities. Improving outcomes for people of color will improve outcomes for everyone.