Program Associate, Economic Opportunity

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: 

The Fidelity Foundations are a group of private foundations that fund a diverse set of programs on a national scale. The Fidelity Foundations are committed to advancing the long-term vibrancy of communities through capacity-building investments in arts and culture, conservation, health, and economic opportunity-focused non-profits. 

Fidelity Foundations’ grantmaking seeks to build the capacity of leaders and organizations tackling important societal challenges and promoting thriving communities. We are dedicated to strengthening organizations by fostering robust partnerships and supporting projects that enhance our grantees’ long-term success. Each program centers on the ecosystems’ needs and identifies where our capacity-building grants can have the greatest impact. 

We have a deep history of funding organizations in Boston and New England for over 50 years and also supporting communities in specific regions nationwide. Today, the Foundations are at an important and exciting stage in our organizational history, having grown and evolved in recent years. As our strategies and organization continue to develop, we are seeking individuals with skills and expertise that support the advancement and execution of a long-term portfolio of significant and strategic philanthropic investments. Our values of excellence, integrity, respect, collaboration, and a deep sense of humility guide our quiet grantmaking. 

The Economic Opportunity portfolio seeks to advance economic mobility by investing in the systems, organizations, and supports that enable individuals to build stable, self-directed lives—regardless of the circumstances into which they are born. 

It concentrates on key life stages where targeted interventions can shift long-term trajectories:

• Early Childhood: Advancing healthy starts through maternal and child health, strong family supports, and high-quality early learning environments
• Adolescence: Building critical skills, relationships, and future pathways through mentorship, enrichment, and career exposure
• Young Adulthood: Supporting transitions to the workforce through postsecondary attainment, credentialing, and connections to quality employment

Across all areas, organizations with strong leadership, evidence of impact, and alignment with regional needs are prioritized. The Economic Opportunity grantmaking is primarily focused in Boston and across Massachusetts, with growing investments in select communities throughout New England. Our grantmaking is done quietly, and most grants are awarded anonymously.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Program Associate ensures the effective execution of the Economic Opportunity team’s work through managing workflows, coordinating systems and data, and supporting the delivery of high-quality materials that enable team decision making. As an execution partner to the Program Director and a central project manager for the team, they coordinate projects, monitor progress, and ensure initiatives move forward smoothly with consistency, accuracy and reliability.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Team Operations & Project Management (40%) 

• Serve as project manager for board cycles and other team-wide initiatives, ensuring timeline adherence and managing quality control 
• Partner closely with members of the team to translate strategic priorities into actional plans and ensure strong follow-through 
• Coordinate team meetings by setting agendas, preparing briefing materials, and maintaining shared knowledge resources 
• Produce clear, well-designed materials (e.g., board books, dashboards, updates) 
• Anticipate risks, bottlenecks, and information needs and proactively address them 
• Maintain and improve systems, tools, and processes to increase efficiency and clarity 

 Grant & Strategic Support (30%) 

• Partner with program leadership to synthesize information, surface insights, and help prioritize efforts 
• Monitor progress against goals and proactively identify risks, gaps, and opportunities for improvement 
• Draft and edit materials—including presentations, memos, meeting summaries, grant letters, and reports—with clarity and professionalism that enable decision-making by Foundations leadership 
• Track, monitor, and report on active and prospective grants, ensuring timely updates 
• Support the full grant development process through managing pipeline timelines, QCing materials, and preparing polished board materials 
• Partner with the Grants Management team on grant reports, modifications, and extensions, and compliance follow-up 
• Conduct preliminary research and monitor field trends to inform landscape analyses, grantee and external partner briefings, and monthly updates 
• As requested, participate in grantee calls, site visits, and events; synthesize meeting notes and extract insights for internal use 

Database Management (30%) 

• Manage databases supporting grant applications, portfolio tracking, and program evaluation 
• Maintain strong data integrity and quality control 
• Use grant system data to support execution, identify patterns or issues, and recommend process improvements
• Lead data quality control efforts and develop dashboards, visualizations, and Salesforce tools to support team decision-making 
• Collaborate with Grants Management to drive continual improvement in grants processes and system use 

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

It is critically important that the Program Associate be a highly collaborative and collegial team player who listens and communicates well. To be considered, candidates will possess a majority of the following professional and personal attributes and competencies:

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, nonprofit management, business, social sciences, or a related discipline). 

Experience 

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in a nonprofit, philanthropy, research, consulting, or operational environment 
• Experience supporting projects, coordinating workflows, managing data or systems, and producing written materials in a fast-paced, team-based setting 
• Exposure to grantmaking, social impact work, or mission-driven organizations preferred but not required 

Core Skills and Capabilities 

Successful Program Associates typically demonstrate the following skills and capabilities: 

• Takes ownership of work and follows through on commitments with strong attention to detail and quality 
• Manages multiple priorities effectively, staying organized and communicating proactively about progress, risks, and timelines 
• Works effectively in a fast-paced environment, adjusting priorities and approach as needs evolve 
• Embraces feedback and new information, using it to improve work and strengthen results 
• Communicates clearly and professionally in writing and verbally, producing materials that are well-structured and audience appropriate 
• Builds positive, collaborative relationships and contributes to clear, consistent coordination across teams 
• Demonstrates curiosity and a willingness to learn, actively seeking feedback and new knowledge to improve performance 
• Applies learning to strengthen day-to-day work and contribute to team effectiveness over time 
• Approaches work thoughtfully, using available information to identify issues and support practical, effective solutions 
• Anticipates challenges and takes initiative to address them, helping keep work moving forward smoothly 

This position will be based in Boston, MA on a hybrid schedule with a requirement to work in-person a minimum of 3 days per week with colleagues; successful candidates will need to undergo a comprehensive background check. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: 

The base salary range for this position is $82,000 - $125,000 per year.

Placement in the range will vary based on a variety of factors such as job responsibilities & scope, special skills, education, special certifications, candidate’s relevant experience, and other factors.

Base salary is only part of the total compensation package. Employees are eligible for an annual discretionary performance bonus in addition to their base pay.

The Fidelity Foundations offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, an annual performance-based bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package. 

The Fidelity Foundations are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive professional environment. We encourage applications from candidates with a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.