The posting
Our client, the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, is growing and adding up to three Program Directors to lead specific impact areas!
About the Herbert Simon Family Foundation
Established in 1999, the Herbert Simon Family Foundation seeks to align the Herbert Simon family across generations to champion the people and ideas that move Indianapolis and Indiana forward. The Foundation supports organizations and leaders working to create communities that are more just, compassionate, resilient, and forward-thinking, with a focus on Arts & Culture, Basic Needs, Environment & Climate, Equity & Justice, and Jewish Causes.
HSFF is growing its dedicated staff and grantmaking capacity by adding up to three Program Directors to lead specific program areas. The Program Directors will serve as outward-facing leaders for assigned impact areas, building trusted community relationships, developing deep subject-matter knowledge, managing grantmaking workflows, and helping move strategic opportunities from idea to execution.
About the Role
The Program Director is a proactive, intellectually curious, and relationship-oriented professional who can pair strong judgment with a sense of urgency. This person will manage an assigned portfolio of grantees and community relationships, assess grant opportunities, develop recommendations, support Board decision-making, and help the Foundation continually improve its grantmaking strategy and practice.
Prior foundation or grantmaking experience is helpful but not required. We are interested in candidates with meaningful experience in the nonprofit, public, philanthropic, or related sectors who can quickly build credibility in one or more of HSFF's impact areas.
The selected Program Directors will join HSFF in January 2027.
What You’ll Do
- Manage an assigned grantmaking portfolio, including inbound inquiries, application timelines, due diligence, proposal review, recommendations, reporting, and ongoing relationship management.
- Review grant applications, organizational information, budgets and reports and translate findings into clear, thoughtful recommendations for the Executive Director and Board.
- Build authentic relationships with grantees, nonprofit leaders, community partners, peer funders and other stakeholders.
- Develop deep knowledge of the issues, organizations, leaders and opportunities within an assigned impact area.
- Identify emerging needs, promising approaches, strategic partnerships and opportunities for proactive investment or system-level impact.
- Convene stakeholders and participate in community meetings, site visits, events, and other external activities on behalf of the Foundation.
- Prepare concise, decision-ready materials for Board meetings and support follow-up on grantmaking decisions.
- Research and help develop new strategic initiatives, community programs, learning opportunities, and special projects.
- Partner with other Program Directors and Foundation leadership on cross-portfolio priorities and shared learning.
- Help ensure applicants and grantees experience the Foundation as thoughtful, responsive, respectful, and clear.
- Balance strong analysis and attention to detail with the ability to move work forward at a swift pace.
- Contribute to a growing team culture grounded in candor, humility, learning, accountability, and care for people.
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in the nonprofit, public, philanthropic, or related sectors.
- Demonstrated knowledge of, or meaningful experience related to, at least one HSFF impact area, including Arts + Culture, Basic Needs, Environment + Climate, Equity + Justice, and Jewish Causes.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office/365, Salesforce or similar CRM, project management software (HSFF uses Asana), and the ability to learn new systems quickly, like SmartSimple, our grants management platform.
- Great analytical skills and the ability to assess complex information, identify what matters most, and form a clear point of view.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write concise recommendations for senior decision-makers.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects with independence, initiative and follow-through.
- Advanced relationship-building skills and the confidence to work effectively with nonprofit leaders, community members, Board members and highly influential stakeholders.
- High standards of ethics, confidentiality, discretion and professional judgment.
- Curiosity, humility and a willingness to learn from people with different backgrounds, expertise and lived experiences.
- Comfort with ambiguity, change and a growing organization where processes will continue to evolve.
- Ability to attend occasional evening or weekend meetings and events and travel locally as needed.
How We Work
HSFF is building a culture that puts people first, leans in and learns, brings joy to work, does the right thing, and operates without ego. Team members are expected to bring candor and humility, take ownership of their work, stay curious, and help one another move important work forward without sacrificing relationships or quality.
Who Will Thrive Here
Ideal candidates will be grounded, self-directed, and comfortable forming their own judgment. They will be able to work with people who hold significant influence, wealth, or authority without becoming overly deferential, while also approaching philanthropy with humility and respect for the organizations and communities closest to the work.
They will enjoy variety, take initiative, move with purpose, and bring both strategic thinking and disciplined execution to a role where the stakes are meaningful, and the work is highly relational.
What We Offer
- Employer-provided health, dental, and vision coverage
- 7% employer 403(b) retirement contribution
- Paid time off and paid holidays, including MLK Day and Juneteenth
- Paid sabbatical program
- Annual one-week holiday closure
- Potential annual performance bonus
- Hybrid work flexibility on Mondays and Fridays (in-office work Tue/Wed/Thu)
