Organizational Background
A national leader in rural philanthropy, The Ford Family Foundation is a private foundation benefiting communities in rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, Calif. In 1957, Kenneth W. Ford & Hallie E. Ford established a then-modest foundation to give back to the timber communities of southwest Oregon. It grew in size, scope and geography to become The Ford Family Foundation in 1996, with its main office in Roseburg, Oregon. One of the three largest grantmaking foundations in Oregon, The Ford Family Foundation has assets of $1.2 billion, an annual budget of approximately $55 million, a nine-member Board of Directors and 53 employees located in two office locations and in rural communities throughout Oregon.   

Purpose/The Opportunity 

The Ford Family Foundation is committed to strengthening rural communities and improving outcomes for children and families across Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. We work alongside community leaders, public systems, Tribal nations, nonprofit organizations, and other partners to advance lasting change through community engagement, leadership development, convening, policy engagement, research, grantmaking, and capacity-building efforts.

The Policy Analyst conducts policy research, analysis, coordination, and technical support to advance the Foundation's policy and systems change priorities in support of rural children, families, and communities. Reporting to the Director of Policy, the Policy Analyst serves as an internal resource on policy analysis, research, legislative analysis, evidence, data, and best practices. The role translates complex information into accessible and actionable insights that inform Foundation strategy, decision-making, and organizational learning.
 

This position offers a unique opportunity to help elevate rural perspectives and priorities while supporting policy and systems change efforts through rigorous research, analysis, and knowledge development. Working across the Foundation and alongside external partners, the Policy Analyst helps strengthen understanding of issues affecting rural communities and public systems while identifying evidence-based and promising practice-informed opportunities to improve outcomes for rural children, families, and communities.

This is an exempt position, and the annual salary is $100,000-$106,000 depending on experience. Our excellent benefit package includes paid time off and holidays, health and dental insurance, health savings account, generous retirement plan, matching gifts program, access to an employee assistance program, professional development opportunities, rejuvenation leave and more. Performance and compensation are reviewed at least annually.  
 

Employee Profile
The ideal Policy Analyst is an intellectually curious researcher and systems thinker who is energized by understanding complex issues and translating information into meaningful action. They bring strong analytical capabilities, sound judgment, and a commitment to objective, evidence-informed analysis while recognizing the importance of lived experience, community knowledge, and rural context in shaping effective policy solutions.
 

The successful candidate is a collaborative and thoughtful professional who communicates clearly, asks insightful questions, and enjoys learning across a wide range of topics. They are comfortable navigating ambiguity, exploring emerging ideas, and engaging in constructive dialogue and disagreement. Adaptable, curious, and grounded in rural realities, they balance rigor with humility, evidence with curiosity, and analysis with practical application.
 

Most importantly, they are motivated by the opportunity to help strengthen outcomes for rural children, families, and communities through research, learning, and policy-informed systems change efforts.

Location & Residency Preference
Roseburg, Oregon, is the preferred location for this position. Candidates who currently reside in Roseburg or are willing to relocate to Roseburg are strongly encouraged to apply. Relocation assistance may be available for the selected candidate.
 

We also welcome applications from individuals currently residing in rural Oregon communities. Rural Oregon includes the small towns and unincorporated places outside the state's major urban centers of Portland, Salem, Corvallis-Albany, Eugene-Springfield, Bend, and Medford. While preference will be given to candidates residing in Roseburg or rural Oregon, we encourage applications from individuals living in Oregon's urban communities who bring significant personal, professional, or community-based experience in rural places and a demonstrated understanding of the opportunities, strengths, and challenges facing rural communities.
 

Employees based in Roseburg are expected to work in the office at least three days per week. Employees based elsewhere in Oregon are expected to work in person approximately 20% of the time through attendance at Foundation offices, meetings, events, and collaborative work sessions. In addition, periodic travel throughout Oregon may be required to support Foundation priorities and partner engagement.
 

Deadline to submit applications, along with a 2-4–page writing sample and thoughtful and engaging letter of interest, is Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

The letter of interest should include:

• Your personal “why”. Why you do public policy work and why you want to be part of a team and organization that is advancing policy and systems change for rural kids and communities; 
• What you think the role of high-quality policy analysis and research is in advancing policy and systems change at a Foundation; 
• Insight into why you believe you would be a strong fit for the role;
• Insight into your connection to rural places and how it has shaped your understanding of, curiosity about, and commitment to rural kids and communities.

The writing sample should be a 2-4–page policy analysis memo, including standard policy memo sections (executive summary, background and problem definition, policy options, analysis of options, and recommendation). You can use a real example from a previous role or develop a brief original memo on an issue of your choosing. 

Please note that the application deadline is subject to change. The position may close sooner than the deadline listed based on the number of applicants.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Research & Analysis 

• Conduct policy research and analysis related to understanding and improving outcomes for rural children, families, and communities. Public policy topic areas include but aren’t limited to: human services, health, mental health and addiction care, early learning and care, housing, homelessness, transportation, K-12 education, higher education, economic development, workforce development.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, administrative, and policy developments at local, state, and national levels and provide objective analysis regarding implications, opportunities, and risks for rural communities.
• Identify and analyze national best practices, innovative models, and promising practices relevant to Foundation priorities, assessing their applicability to rural communities.
• Gather, analyze, synthesize, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources to support strategic decision-making.
• Develop research products that help inform systems change strategies, policy priorities, and organizational learning.
• Maintain awareness of relevant academic research, policy literature, national trends, and field innovations.
• Conduct research and analysis in a manner that informs and educates Foundation staff and partners without engaging in lobbying, partisan political activity, or election-related activities.
• Support the identification of emerging issues and opportunities affecting rural communities and public systems.

Policy Products & Knowledge Development 

• Research and document rural issues, challenges, assets, and opportunities relevant to Foundation policy priorities to advance policy-related research strategies.
• Support efforts to elevate rural perspectives, community experiences, and local knowledge through research and data-informed storytelling to inform policymaking and implementation.
• Identify opportunities to connect research findings, community experiences, and evidence-based practices to support stronger outcomes for rural communities.
• Assist in developing learning products and resources that strengthen understanding of rural systems, public policy, and effective change strategies.
• Support efforts to ensure community experiences and perspectives are reflected alongside research and data.

Collaboration & Support 

• Partner with Communications, Programs, and Learning & Impact teams to support integrated policy, learning, and systems change work.
• Provide policy research support for strategic initiatives, convenings, community engagement efforts, and Foundation priorities.
• Assist in the preparation of stakeholder meetings, public education activities, learning events, and policy-related convenings.
• Support consultant management, research procurement, data collection efforts, and special projects, as assigned.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure policy research and insights are appropriately shared and integrated into Foundation work.

Organizational Learning & Capacity Building 

• Help identify opportunities for organizational learning, reflection, and continuous improvement related to policy and systems change efforts.
• Contribute research findings and insights to strategic discussions and planning processes.
• Support internal efforts to strengthen understanding of rural policy issues, systems change, emerging trends, and evidence-informed practices.
• Ensure all research products reflect accuracy, neutrality, methodological rigor, and evidence-based analysis.
• Operate within the legal and ethical requirements governing private foundations and support compliance in all policy-related research activities.

Foundation-Wide Expectations

These expectations define the core behaviors and mindsets that help employees advance the Foundation’s mission and strengthen impact.

• Mission Alignment: Demonstrates a Mission-first orientation by grounding decisions and daily work in the Foundation’s core values, community impact, and desired outcomes, with a focus on organizational effectiveness and results.
• Initiative and Problem Solving: Identifies needs or challenges proactively, takes appropriate action within one’s sphere of control, and brings forward practical recommendations.
• Collaboration: Builds relationships and effectively collaborates to maximize progress toward strategic outcomes.
• Performance and Accountability: Delivers high-quality work, takes ownership of results, and pursues excellence in service to the Mission above all.
• Learning and Adaptability: Actively seeks feedback, remains open to new ideas, adapts to changing needs, and applies learning to drive continuous improvement.

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, public administration, or a related field and three to five years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree in a related field and up to three years of relevant experience.
• Experience connecting policy research with action, including but not limited to research in service of advocacy for evidence-based policy solutions. 
• Demonstrated experience conducting policy analysis, research, and synthesizing complex information into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Experience identifying and evaluating national best practices, emerging models, and evidence-based approaches.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex information effectively through written materials and presentations.
• Experience interpreting qualitative and quantitative data to support decision-making.
• Familiarity with rural issues, place-based philanthropy, community development, or public systems preferred.
• Understanding of the legal and ethical requirements governing private foundations and policy-related activities preferred.

Skills & Attributes 

• Strong policy analysis, research, analytical, critical thinking, and synthesis skills.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills, with econometric analysis and quantitative policy and program evaluation experience preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex policy, research, and technical information into practical and accessible insights.
• High degree of intellectual curiosity and commitment to evidence-based decision-making.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to distinguish between analysis, research, education, systems change work, advocacy, and lobbying and operate appropriately within private foundation requirements.
• Comfortable engaging in thoughtful dialogue, constructive disagreement, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Demonstrates humility, openness to learning, and respect for diverse perspectives and lived experiences.
• Skilled at balancing data, evidence, and community knowledge to inform sound recommendations.
• Commitment to strengthening opportunities and outcomes for rural children, families, and communities.