Grants Analyst
General Description
The Cullen Foundation is an independent, private foundation dedicated to enhancing education
for students in grades PreK-12 and advancing performing arts for Erie County, New York. Since
2015, Cullen has run three open “grant cycles,” awarding over three million dollars to a total of
55 local non-profits. The grant cycles make investments primarily in Educational out-of-school
time programs and for Performing Arts in music, theater, dance, and other forms of live artistic
performance.
In addition to its open grant cycles the Cullen Foundation created an exciting education
investment strategy to dramatically grow the number of seats in high-performing schools in
Buffalo through investments in charter schools and human capital. These interrelated priorities
were selected based on compelling data that shows that charters are improving student
achievement in the aggregate, in major cities, and for historically underserved students; and
that teacher quality is the single most important determinant of student success, and that highquality school leadership is also critical.
The Foundation is seeking a talented strategic-thinker with strong analytical and
communication skills to join the team as its Grants Analyst and support them in achieving its
ambitious education strategy and support its open grant cycle investments. The Grants Analyst
will work 90% on the Foundation’s education work, and 10% on Performing Arts/Other
Foundation related tasks. The Analyst will report to the Program Officer. He/she will work with
the foundation grantees to analyze grant and program outcomes and will focus her/his work on
three primary areas:
1) Manage and support the bi-annual foundation grant process; this will include supporting
site visits when needed, managing the grants database when needed, and supporting
the Foundation staff in other responsibilities as they arise
2) Analyze grant performance and impact through data; create compelling dashboards and
presentations for foundation President and Trustees to track performance in a way that
clearly demonstrates grantee impact and progress
3) Project manage and support strategic initiatives for the foundation’s education work
In addition, the Grants Analyst will develop philanthropic sector knowledge to ensure the
foundation is applying relevant and valid approaches to granting for impact.
Responsibilities
1) Grant evaluation, monitoring and reporting management for Grants
a. Develop practical approaches to program monitoring, evaluation and learning
that fit the unique needs of each grantee and program area goals.
b. Incorporate cohesive processes for evaluation and reporting requirements into
c.
d.
e.
f.
all phases of grant proposals, awards/contracts, reports and agreements.
With support of Program Officer and President, and in alignment with grant
processes, develop and implement protocols and systems for measuring grant
impacts.
Monitor grants, provide compliance assistance, and identify mid-course
corrections needed with grantees. If needed, work with grantees on mid-course
corrections where necessary to improve performance.
Create dashboards to track grant progress over time and create decks to be used
to communicate progress to Trustees and staff when requested.
Support Program Officer to conduct research, data analysis, evaluation and
monitoring when appropriate.
2) Other
a. Track sector developments in field of non-profit grant making overall and stay
up-to-date with best practices in evaluation through literature review,
networking, and conferences.
b. Represent the Foundation at relevant events, meetings, site visits, seminars
when needed.
c. Provide additional systems assistance when requested by Program Officer and
President.
d. Analyze and interpret school-level data: student growth, performance, etc.
Qualifications
● Bachelor's degree. Preferred fields: business, statistics, education, social sciences.
● Previous experience in the education sector preferred.
● 2-3 years of full-time professional experience in project management and/or analytic
role.
● Strong data and analysis skills; ability to define key questions, structure and conduct
analyses, measure impact, see patterns and identify insights.
● Ability to communicate data, especially educational data, to inform efficient decisionmaking.
● Project planning experience with a strong track record of executing on and achieving
results.
Personal Qualities of Top Candidates
●
Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the improvement of Foundation
grant effectiveness and Foundation’s internal operations, and is driven by a dual desire
to produce quantifiable gains and build honest and supportive relationships with
grantees.
● Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees
challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes initiative to explore
issues and find potential innovative solutions.
● Dependability: Does whatever it takes to consistently deliver with high quality under
tight deadlines; successfully manages own projects through strong organization,
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detailed work plans, and balancing of multiple priorities and stakeholders.
Communication and Customer Service Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly
with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to
staff and grantee needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.
Commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion: Passionate about closing the
achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or
circumstance, receives an excellent education.
Adaptability: Excels in challenging environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects
or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort; comfortable with
ambiguity and non-routine situations.
Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of staff members through collaboration,
constant learning and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects
and is committed to learning from others.
How to Apply
The Cullen Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates are
encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through April 15, 2017.
Qualified candidates must submit: 1) cover letter; 2) resume; 3) recent salary history; and 4)
current salary requirements to: [email protected]. If your resume fulfills our
requirements we will contact you to schedule an in-person interview and to complete a brief
data exercise.
Submissions lacking a cover letter, recent salary history, current salary requirements and
resume will not be considered. Please direct all submissions to [email protected].
No phone calls please.
Salary and Benefits
Compensation is commensurate with experience. Cullen Foundation offers a comprehensive
benefits package and parking.