Nellie Mae Education Foundation
Program Associate
Boston, Massachusetts
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation, the largest philanthropy in New England dedicated exclusively to
education, is seeking nominations and applications for a Program Associate. Nellie Mae concentrates its
grantmaking strategy on improving educational outcomes and college readiness for all students, especially
underserved learners, through systems change in support of Student-Centered Learning (SCL) programs and
schools. Student-Centered Learning approaches value personalized and competency based learning
techniques that both encourage students to take ownership in their education and to seek learning anytime,
anywhere. Nellie Mae, together with its education and policy partners across New England, are leading the
way in seeking education reform that brings SCL to the country’s existing public school system.
As a key addition to the grantmaking team and reporting to the Vice President for Programs, the new
Program Associate will provide the Program Officers and Foundation leadership with the capacity to
successfully implement existing and new grantmaking strategies from conception to execution. More
specifically, s/he will be expected to: review proposals, conduct background research on potential grantees
and assist the Program Officers as they evaluate the viability of incoming proposals to support the mission
of the Foundation. For new grantmaking strategies and yet identified prospects, the Program Associate
conducts background research; assesses and identifies links to the Foundation’s strategic priorities and
objectives; and assists in designing grant programs and opportunities. The new Associate will also support
ongoing grantee relationships as a liaison between the Foundation and intermediaries who provide
technical assistance and the grantees. S/he will also compose and/or curate portfolio documents including
but not limited to: memoranda of understanding, budgets, work plans and progress reports.
The Program Associate will have a deep commitment to the Foundation’s mission to promote accessibility,
quality and effectiveness of education for the underserved in the six New England States. S/he will ideally
have a background in education or education policy and trends – especially those designed to increase
student proficiency and readiness. The new Associate will also be eager to develop skills in grantmaking
including grantee relationship management, technical assistance, and the use of research to ensure each
potential partnership aligns with goals of the Foundation. Finally, the new Program Associate will be a
thoughtful, organized, and skilled communicator who looks forward to partnering with grantees and
stakeholders from economic, socially, and culturally diverse communities.
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TO APPLY
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation has retained Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group to assist in this
recruitment. Managing Partner Katherine Jacobs, Managing Associate Nureen Das and Senior Associate
Erica Nicole Griffin are leading the search.
Applications, including a cover letter, describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word
format), salary history and where you learned of the position should be sent to: nmfpa@nonprofitprofessionals.com. In order to expedite internal sorting and reviewing processes, please type
your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and candidates of all
ethnicities, cultures and economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
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