Working at the Vermont Community Foundation

For 40 years, the Vermont Community Foundation has served Vermonters and their families through philanthropy and building stronger communities. Our mission—Better Together: inspiring giving and bringing together people and resources to make a difference in Vermont—provides the bedrock for our workplace culture. Our employees are passionate about making a difference every day. We approach our work with curiosity, respect, and integrity, and believe in collaboration, equity, and diversity. When you join our team, your work will matter to Vermont communities. 

This is a 24-month position with a desired start date in June 2026.

Position Description

The David Rahr Community Philanthropy Fellowship role offers a valuable opportunity for a graduating college senior, recent graduate, or master’s candidate to gain exposure to the many ways philanthropy strengthens the economic, civic, social, and cultural fabric of Vermont communities. The Fellowship will build a strong connection to Vermont and deepen their knowledge and skills around community development and impact, foundations and philanthropy, grantmaking, and nonprofit administration.

The Fellowship role is a member of the Community Impact (CI) team and works closely with the Director of Grants and the Director of Strategic Initiatives, who provide mentorship and guidance. Opportunities may also include attending conferences and webinars to grow knowledge of philanthropy and grantmaking. 

We are looking for someone who is comfortable engaging with diverse groups of people, curious to learn strategies for grantmaking, eager to dig into data and spreadsheets, and able to support the team through research and problem-solving. Our ideal candidate is committed to promoting equity, addressing structural racism, and fostering belonging for all. We welcome self-starters who value collaboration and demonstrate keen attention to the details. Requirement: The Fellowship role will also complete a self-directed research project on a topic relevant to Vermont communities and grantmaking, with support from their manager and team.

Experience Gained

• Deepened understanding of philanthropy and strategies that help close the opportunity gap for Vermonters while building resiliency in Vermont communities 
• Opportunities to build relationships with a wide variety of nonprofit organizations and partners at the local, regional, and state levels
• Insight into how nonprofit organizations and partners create impact
• Experience leveraging grant dollars and local investments to make a lasting difference in the lives of Vermonters
• Participation as a valued member of a high-functioning team and an organization committed to
• making Vermont’s communities stronger
• Exposure to innovative and collaborative approaches to grantmaking

What This Role Involves

Program Team Support, Research & Storytelling

• Analyze and research community needs, trends, and ideas that inform grantmaking or further the VCF’s mission
• Learn about, and develop, high-impact reports that synthesize data and share stories to motivate and inform philanthropic investment
• Support the development of landscape scans to deepen understanding of community priorities across Vermont
• Review grant reports to assess outcomes and support organizational learning
• Participate in competitive grant rounds and community engagement processes, including supporting grant evaluation and decision-making and responding to applicant and grantee inquiries 
• Represent the VCF at events and site visits across the state
• Coordinate convenings with grantees, funders, and partners
• Work with colleagues across the organization to implement aligned funding strategies

Grantmaking Team Administrative Support

• Contribute as an active member of the grants administration and support team within the CI team
• Provide technical support and training for applicants, grantees, internal staff, and external committees and advisors using the online grants management software and community portal 
• Work directly with grant seekers via phone and email to answer questions and provide clarification of the Foundation’s overall grantmaking priorities, direction regarding application procedures, and feedback on proposals 

Skills, Experience & Characteristics

• Ability to build trust, contribute collaboratively, and support problem-solving efforts
• A positive attitude, the ability to communicate authentically, and the self-knowledge to handle difficult conversations with grace
• Interest and/or experience in gathering, tracking, and analyzing data
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Initiative, adaptability, and comfort working with self-direction
• Respect for colleagues, donors, and community partners, with an eagerness to collaborate
• Excellent customer service and responsiveness to a variety of stakeholders
• Ability to travel throughout the state
• Comfort with technology and interest in learning new systems, including online grants management software and databases

Location

• This is a hybrid position with access to office spaces in Middlebury or Burlington. Regular in-person meetings with the CI team and full VCF staff will be required.