We are looking for a talented individual who wants to join a dynamic team that is working to fundamentally change our world through philanthropy and investing.
Position Summary
Builders Initiative launched a Chicagoland arts portfolio in 2020 aimed to support visual artists and artisans to thrive, and lead the communities they are part of, while boosting access to the arts for the public. This work directly provides resources to artists and artist communities that democratize access to the arts; boosts the value of the arts by the public for the role it plays in advancing societal wellness and justice; and leverages multiple forms of capital to increase pathways to financial security for practicing artists, creatives, and culture workers.
To support this growing portfolio today, the Builders Initiative is seeking a full time Program Officer to guide, develop, and manage its Chicagoland arts portfolio. Recognizing the long-term inequities in funding to the arts sector and the trust required to do this work well, the ideal candidate will intimately know the Chicagoland arts sector, and have some experience with philanthropic investing.
Role Specific Responsibilities
Refine BI’s urban arts strategy
Refresh strategy artifacts in alignment with our emergent Impact Measurement and Monitoring framework. These artifacts include a theory of change, strategic framework, learning agenda, and more.
Partner with Builders Initiative’s Director of Learning and Evaluation to identify key lessons learned and apply the learnings to strengthen the strategy and future grantmaking
Coordinate with BI’s team as the rural arts strategy develops – looking for opportunities to align, coordinate, and champion the connections within the arts sector between rural and urban geographies
Manage the urban arts philanthropic portfolio
Manage an active portfolio of about 50 grants, seek + evaluate new proposals, conduct due diligence on potential partners, make recommendations, grant processing, in-grant management, close-out and reporting
Shepherd grants that range from large, multi-year grants to large regranting partners, and small project specific funding to local, grassroots organizations
Consider creative philanthropic approaches, particularly with an eye to advancing equitable distribution of resources. For example, potentially build and manage an advisory committee comprised of respected arts leaders.
Manage budget + reporting associated with the portfolio
Build and manage robust external relationships on behalf of the Foundation
Serve as primary point of contact with Chicagoland arts stakeholders: build, manage and deepen relationships with grantees, organizations, practicing artists and “artrepreneurs,” local creative businesses, city officials, academic leaders, and more
Support partners beyond providing funds, such as through network connections, technical assistance, and fundraising on their behalf
Build strong partnerships with peer Chicagoland, Midwest, and National arts funders in order to share and learn about funding and networking opportunities
Leverage and coordinate internal resources and expertise
Coordinate within the Builders Vision to advance impact investing in the arts sector
Partner with the Communications team to accurately and appropriately share the urban arts portfolio narrative and use the Communications tool to advance the area’s goals
Liaise with teams across BV to foster cross-team collaboration and learning – embedding the arts into other program areas and seizing integrated opportunities, when appropriate
Engage in and advance cross-office learning opportunities
Preferred Experience and Qualifications
We recognize that people’s lived experiences and motivations for entering the arts sector vary greatly. Given this, we are open to a wide range of experience and education backgrounds.
Evident passion for the arts and for prioritizing the well-being of artists
An understanding of the arts sector as a system – the roles and dynamics of various entities, the connectivity (or lack thereof) of certain communities and people, and flow of resources
5+ years working in the arts sector
Well established relationships with Chicagoland arts stakeholders
Experience identifying, gathering and reporting on impact metrics, contextual trends, and opportunities
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required
Philanthropic experience preferred
Impact investing experience is a bonus
A successful candidate would likely also:
Share the Builders Vision’s values of bravery and creativity; beginner’s mindset; integrity with humility; diversity and collaboration; and making the world better.
Value being a team player, operating with a great sense of collaboration and diplomacy, with a commitment to teamwork –treating other people with respect and dignity, while resolving issues in ways that preserve and strengthen key relationships
Engage comfortably in growth roles and delegation.
Prioritize practical, solutions-based thinking
Prioritizes process and result mutually, focusing on relationship building, listening, and co-creation
Client service: ability to assess and meet the Principals’ goals and preferences, curate information, elevate appropriate decisions and represent the Principal appropriately. A passion to serve in a way that demonstrates respect and care for family and staff and exceeds expectations
Community orientation and servant leadership: respects partners of all types uniformly and view partners as peers. Practices integrating listening and findings into strategic planning and grant decisions.
Strategic networking: Builds partnerships in service to alignment and “togetherness,” sometimes with unexpected allies
Practice great detail-orientation and system thinking.
You like to collect and streamline data for access and application. You demonstrate intellectual agility through analysis of complex data and effectively synthesize information and glean key points from research as well as interactions with the Principals and others
Communicate well: in person, via phone, and through written communication
Are technology savvy: very skilled with Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and learn other programs – such as Slack, Salesforce, Ally, Airtable – readily
Possess unquestionable ethics and personal integrity.
Other Duties
Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the candidate in this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may evolve or change over time.
About Builders Initiative/Builders Vision
The Builders Initiative (BI) is a philanthropic organization established by a member of the Walton Family and his wife (the “Principals”). BI is the philanthropic arm of Builders Vision (BV), an integrated charitable and investment organization committed to the vision of building a humane and healthy planet. Collectively BV is focused on four core issue areas: Food & Agriculture, Climate and Energy, Oceans and Communities. This includes supporting a flourishing, democratized arts sector, with a focus on enabling artists to enhance communities through visual arts and storytelling and to lead communities to connect in Chicago and the Rural Midwest.
A more humane and healthy food system, with a focus on sustainable agriculture and food production, the welfare of farmed animals, and equitable access to healthy food in Chicago.
Sustainably managed and healthy ocean ecosystems, with a focus on scalable innovations in fisheries management, restorative aquaculture to provide ecosystem benefits and healthy seafood, and resilience strategies to protect ocean habitats against climate change.
Renewable energy for all, with a focus on accelerating the pace to 80% renewable penetration and planting seeds for the remaining 20%.
A flourishing, democratized arts sector, with a focus on enabling artists to enhance communities through visual arts and storytelling and to lead communities to connect in Chicago and the Rural Midwest.
BV’s mission is shifting markets and minds for good. BI and BV do this by applying a range of tools including grant-making, policy advocacy, strategic communications, impact investing, and direct investing to play three key roles:
Demonstrating economic viability: Showing that sustainable goods and services can be profitable for producers and accessible for consumers;
Building systems: Investing in the “missing pieces” for market development; and
Challenging mental models: Engaging in targeted activities that create new knowledge, change cultural norms, and make the case for change.
Given this variety of tools and roles, BI’s partners include non-profits, researchers, alliances, governments, peer investors and donors, companies, makers, and entrepreneurs committed to a better future. BI current philanthropic investment levels are expected to scale significantly over the next few years. In addition, the foundation expects to deploy substantially more resources in mission-related investments over the coming years.
When appropriate, BI also collaborates with the Walton Family Foundation (WFF) and other individual members of the Walton family to further shared social and environmental goals.
To apply: Submit your resume and a writing sample from a recent project to Jessica Sporleder at jsporleder@weioffice.com.
Builders Vision is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status of protected veteran, among other things or status as a qualified individual with a disability.
Basic Qualifications
Evident passion for the arts and for prioritizing the well-being of artists
An understanding of the arts sector as a system – the roles and dynamics of various entities, the connectivity (or lack thereof) of certain communities and people, and flow of resources
5+ years working in the arts sector
Well established relationships with Chicagoland arts stakeholders
Experience identifying, gathering and reporting on impact metrics, contextual trends, and opportunities
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required