Foundation Program Manager

About Working at Commerce 

Building a career here is more than just steps on a ladder. It’s about helping people find financial safety and success, helping businesses thrive, and making sure people and their money are taken care of. And our commitment doesn’t stop there. Our culture is about our people, the ones in our communities and the ones that work with us.  

Here, you’ll find opportunities to grow and learn, to connect with others, and build relationships with the people around you. You’ll have the space and resources to grow into the best version of yourself. Because our number one investment is you.

Creating an award-winning culture doesn't come easy. And after 160 years, we know Commerce Bank is only at its best when our people are. If this sounds interesting to you, keep reading and let’s talk. 

Compensation Range

Annual Salary: $80,000.00 - $94,500.00 (Amount based on relevant experience, skills, and competencies.)

Commerce Bank serves as corporate trustee for several Kansas City-based foundations, including the William T. Kemper Foundation, the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts, and the Oppenstein Brothers Foundation. The Charitable Trusts & Foundations (CT&F) office administers the grantmaking for these and a few other funds that make grants primarily in the Kansas City metro area. CT&F supports decision making for several contributions committees that direct or inform the giving for certain foundations.

• The William T. Kemper Foundation makes a positive and enduring impact on the quality of life in the community by thoughtfully supporting projects and organizations that catalyze new capabilities and approaches or support meaningful growth of proven models. The Foundation provides project-based and capacity building grants primarily to educational, civic, and arts organizations.

• The Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts supports organizations that generate programming of high artistic quality. This includes performing arts agencies, museums, and organizations that build arts access and support individuals creating art.

• The Oppenstein Brothers Foundation focuses on serving low-income populations via social welfare, education, health services, civic and community, and access to the arts.

About This Job

The main purpose of this job is to make grant recommendations that align with each foundation’s strategy (The William T. Kemper Foundation, The Richard J. Stern Foundation, and The Oppenstein Brothers Foundation).

Essential Functions

• Serve as the relationship manager for a portfolio of nonprofits. This includes understanding the needs of each nonprofit and how those align with the funding priorities of each foundation or helping identify alternative resources to address those needs; reviewing the progress of grants, projects, and programs; and collaborating even when a project is off track.

• Conduct due diligence of potential grantees, including synthesizing complex information quickly to assess grant proposals, analyze nonprofit financials (audits, 990s and budgets), and incorporate site visits and conversations with other relevant stakeholders. Be equipped to address questions about a nonprofit’s outcomes, financial sustainability, business model, and its role in the broader local ecosystem.

• Write concise, well-reasoned funding recommendations for foundation committees. Present verbal summaries and be prepared to address deep questions on the proposal and related issues.

• Build collaborative and trusting relationships with nonprofits, foundation committee members, and other community members. Engage professionally and confidently with nonprofit executives, board members, programmatic and fundraising staff. Clearly and thoughtfully communicate foundation reasoning, including decisions to award or decline funding.

• Represent the Foundations in philanthropic, civic, and nonprofit forums

• Develop expertise around issues within assigned portfolio, cultivate networks relevant to those areas, and succinctly keep other stakeholders abreast of important developments

• Proactively identify solutions or next steps to help address community challenges identified by the foundations’ Contributions Committees. Leverage expertise to ensure that proposed programs and projects can be effectively executed by nonprofit partners.

• Complete grant monitoring and reporting, including the review of progress reports, maintenance of regular communication with grantees, and ongoing site visits

• Embrace a continuous improvement mindset by identifying ways to refine processes and collaborating with teammates

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