Program Officer, Community Programs

OUR MISSION REMARKABLE IMPACT

Remarkable impact is the heart of Foundation For The Carolinas mission and the driving force behind our mission is the collective impact of thousands of nonprofits families companies and organizations who partner with us to amplify the power of giving. The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is a nonprofit organization committed to creating a vibrant cultural ecosystem in Charlotte-Mecklenburg through investment in arts science and history. As a catalyst for cultural growth ASC empowers local creatives supports innovative programming and enhances community engagement. Its mission is to foster community retention drive economic growth and enhance residents quality of life.

As both a funder and fundraiser ASC offers grants manages public art supports community-led programs like Culture Blocks and provides educational programming for PreK12 students. ASCs work aims to remove barriers ensure cultural access for all and promote upward mobility.

HOW YOULL ADVANCE OUR MISSION POSITION OVERVIEW

The Program Officer Community Programs is a full-time exempt position responsible for leading and managing ASCs community-focused grant programs including Venue Access Grants and Community Connector Grants as well as supporting additional programmatic initiatives as assigned.

Under the supervision of the Vice President of Community & Artist Support this role will play a critical part in advancing accessible high-impact community programming across Mecklenburg County. The Program Officer will oversee the full lifecycle of assigned grant programs serve as the primary point of contact for applicants and grantees and ensure that funded activities are delivered with quality integrity and community relevance.

This position requires strong experience in program observation evaluation and feedback including attending funded programs and providing constructive actionable guidance to grantees to strengthen their offerings over time. The Program Officer will also collaborate closely with ASCs Culture Blocks team to align investments maximize community impact and ensure funding is distributed equitably and without duplication across programs.

YOUR UNIQUE IMPACT ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Grant Program Leadership & Management

• Oversee the full portfolio of assigned Community Programs including Venue Access Grants Community Connector Grants dotted line accountability to Festival funding opportunities as well as additional initiatives as assigned
• Design manage and refine program guidelines criteria timelines and reporting processes to align with ASCs strategic goals
• Lead all phases of the grant lifecycle including outreach application development review coordination award recommendations contracting and reporting
• Provide clear guidance and technical assistance to applicants and grantees on program expectations eligibility and best practices
• Facilitate fair and transparent review processes including recruiting and training panelists synthesizing panel feedback and preparing recommendations for leadership and board approval
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of grant agreements payments and compliance requirements
• Monitor grantee progress and performance through reporting communication and documentation

Program Observation Evaluation & Learning

• Attend and observe funded programs across Mecklenburg County to assess program delivery quality and community impact
• Provide constructive actionable feedback to grantees to support continuous improvement in program design and execution
• Identify strengths and areas for growth in funded programming with attention to accessibility cultural responsiveness and community engagement
• Track and analyze program data to assess outcomes identify trends and inform future program design and funding strategies
• Contribute to the development of evaluation frameworks and tools that strengthen program quality and impact

Community Engagement & Cross-Program Alignment

• Build and maintain strong relationships with artists nonprofits community partners and cultural leaders
• Partner with the Culture Blocks team to align funding strategies coordinate outreach and ensure equitable distribution of resources without duplication across programs
• Identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration between ASC-funded initiatives and community-led programming
• Represent ASC at community meetings workshops and events

Strategic Contribution & Organizational Support

• Contribute to departmental planning and strategic initiatives within Community & Artist Support
• Support storytelling and reporting efforts by translating program outcomes into clear qualitative and quantitative insights
• Prepare internal and external reports presentations and materials for leadership and stakeholders
• Stay current with best practices in grantmaking community programming and cultural sector trends

WHAT YOULL NEED FOR SUCCESS: QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• 5 years of experience in program management grantmaking arts administration or community-based work within a nonprofit setting
• Demonstrated experience in program evaluation facilitation and/or community programming
• Experience working with artists cultural organizations or community-based initiatives strongly preferred
• Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred

Community Awareness & Skills

• Strong understanding of the Mecklenburg County cultural landscape and community needs
• Ability to engage diverse communities with cultural awareness and humility
• Commitment to equitable access to arts science and cultural programming
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to provide clear constructive feedback in a professional and supportive manner
• Strong organizational project management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously
• Strategic thinking and attention to detail

Technology Proficiency

• Proficient in MS Office Suite
• Experience with grant management systems (ASC uses Blackbaud Grantmaking) preferred

Additional Qualifications

• Strong commitment to service and public impact
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across teams
• Interest in program quality continuous improvement and community impact measurement