About NCG

Northern California Grantmakers (NCG) is a dynamic, growing membership organization that brings the philanthropic community together to shift resources, capital, and power back to historically marginalized communities that are leading transformational change. Northern California has a rich cultural legacy and commitment to social justice. NCG’s membership is made up of stakeholders across philanthropy including: program officers, board members, donor trustees, movement organizers, communicators, visionaries, advocates, dreamers, and believers. We started as the “Lunch Bunch” in the 1960s, a group of philanthropic leaders committed to growing together. We formalized ourselves in the 1980s with the goal of supporting a base of philanthropic members. Currently, we have more than 215 institutional and 4,000 individual members. For the past forty years, we have been working to gather, mobilize, and transform philanthropy. We believe in our collective power for good. Learn more about NCG at www.ncg.org.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly-motivated individual to join our team as the Director for Climate and Disaster Resilience. The Director is responsible for articulating a vision for the role that philanthropy can play to build climate and disaster resilience in Northern California and across the State of California. The role leverages our partnerships with the other regional associations of Philanthropy California (SoCal Grantmakers and Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties). Situated on the NCG staff, this position is an integral member of a statewide team across Philanthropy California that responds to disasters as they occur in the State of California. A strategic responsibility for this position is to strengthen Philanthropy California’s internal capacity to serve as a hub for data sharing and coordination when disasters occur.

The Director is also responsible for the day-to-day management, coordination, and implementation of strategic goals related to climate and disaster resilience for NCG. This work includes program development and project management, philanthropic network management, public-private partnership coordination, and the provision of research and technical assistance to members that supports investment in low-income BIPOC communities.

NCG’s work recognizes the critical importance of centering racial equity, movement building strategies, and the leadership of movement organizations to advance democracy and promote equitable public policy. The Director Climate and Disaster Resilience must embrace racial equity as a core value, as well as the principles of environmental justice, recognizing that those most impacted by climate change and climate disasters have the least responsibility for causing the climate crisis. The Director should demonstrate high emotional intelligence to effectively work with people of diverse backgrounds and positively contribute to NCG’s culture as an organization committed to racial and environmental justice.

Essential Job Functions

Lead and Manage NCG’s Climate and Disaster Resilience efforts (~70%)

● Develop a strategic approach and refined vision for engaging NCG members, non-member funders and the broader philanthropic sector to meet the urgency of the climate crisis.

● Build intentional relationships with experts and NCG members to identify, develop, and disseminate climate and disaster resilience tools/frameworks/resources, including a portfolio of climate and disaster resilience programming.

● Coordinate with NCG’s Communications Team to develop strategic messaging that addresses resilience, including blogs, articles, and presentations.

● Develop relationships with public agencies to identify opportunities for public-private partnerships with NCG, Philanthropy California, or with the philanthropic sector.

● Supervise the NCG Climate and Disaster Resilience Fellow.

● Support the development of NCG climate/disaster resilience public policy and advocacy efforts in coordination with NCG’s Director of Policy and Movement and in alignment with overall NCG policy priorities.

● Cultivate relationships with regional Voluntary or Community Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs/COADs), and other related groups; identify gaps in regional nonprofit capacity to respond to disasters; and support funder-led disaster response capacity-building initiatives in under-resourced regions of Northern California.

● Provide advice on NCG’s internal planning for business continuity and recovery.

● Assist the President & CEO and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives to cultivate new relationships with members and other philanthropic organizations and key partners that expands participation in climate resilience issues.

Elevate climate and disaster resiliency priorities of NCG, Southern California Grantmakers (SCG) and Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties (Catalyst) as part of the larger Philanthropy California network (~30%)

● Support Philanthropy California disaster response efforts in partnership with Philanthropy California staff, including the vetting of philanthropic disaster relief, recovery, and resilience funds, hosting funders briefings, and liaising/coordinating with government and nonprofit partners and internal staff.

● Act as a climate and disaster resilience expert / thought leader for the Philanthropy California network to advise staff on information sharing or programmatic offerings and to support philanthropic institutions as they navigate disaster grantmaking decisions.

● Strategize with Philanthropy California staff to streamline a cohesive disaster response communications plan across all regional associations of Philanthropy California.

● Track and support (as needed) regional climate resilience efforts across the Philanthropy California regional associations and elevate common priorities to statewide importance.

● Strengthen coordination with state government agencies and statewide philanthropic partners and networks around climate and disaster resilience efforts.

● Support statewide climate and disaster resilience policy and advocacy priorities and activities pursued by NCG and members.

● Support the health and well-being of staff members engaged in disaster response efforts.

Core Competencies

NCG works with great intention to build an organizational culture rooted in equity, inclusion, diversity of experience and perspective, and belonging. As we continue to build a hybrid work environment, we refined and affirmed the core competencies necessary to succeed in this role in alignment with our values. These competencies, in priority order for this role, include:

● Issue familiarity: Prior knowledge of or experience in climate, disaster resilience, and their intersection with other equity issues facing local communities.

● Racial equity experience, skills, and values: Understands the historical context for racial inequity and its present-day implications, particularly for philanthropy and the climate crisis. Strong alignment to the values and mission of NCG and clear commitment to the principles of racial equity and environmental justice.

● Inclusive leadership, management, and relational organizer: Stellar interpersonal skills with a collaborative style and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of diverse stakeholders. Appreciation for a collegial and learning work environment and capacity to manage, inspire, and develop staff.

● Working understanding of philanthropy: Has a sense of philanthropy and philanthropic sector, including current challenges and best practices.

● Strategist’s mind with clear praxis (ideas to action): Quickly grasps the subtleties of complex issues and identifies patterns in challenges. Systemic thinker with insightful, pragmatic, equitable, and sustainable ways to tackle challenges. Ability to perform competently under pressure and deftly respond to the unpredictable nature of disaster response.

● Organized with an eye to results: Moves proactively to achieve results; focuses on achieving results that promote organizational success. Organizes, prioritizes, and manages complex, multidimensional projects with the ability to meet work goals.

● Strong communication skills: Effective communicator who can speak and write values-based and action-oriented pieces that mobilize philanthropy.

Relevant Experience and Qualifications

The following qualifications serve as a guide to the optimal experiences and knowledge the Director might bring. However, NCG encourages candidates to submit their applications even if they do not meet all of the requirements stated below. Applicants should feel free to lift up additional relevant experience or transferrable skills that would contribute to your effectiveness in this role.

● Proven experience and a demonstrated approach to designing and executing strategies and programs that center community-based movement builders in driving policy agendas.

● 6+ years of increasing relevant responsibility and understanding of climate and disaster resilience, philanthropy and/or climate public policy as a vehicle for systemic change.

● Experience managing staff or high value volunteers to ensure the necessary support, motivation, and development to meet goals.

● Project management experience and success, demonstrating the ability to organize, prioritize, and manage complex, multidimensional projects to successful completion within desired timeframes and to define goals.

● Technical acumen across Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook with the ability to learn and adapt quickly to virtual communications and collaborative applications.

● Must be located in Northern California with the ability to travel throughout the region as necessary.

Preferred / Additional Qualifications

● Experience within the climate resilience ecosystem, including nonprofit and /or government experience, with strong relationships through the landscape.

● Prior staff management experience

● Knowledge and comfort with technologies for association management, including Salesforce, Drupal, Microsoft Suite, Adobe) and social media; technological literacy and adaptability is essential.

● Familiarity with the Northern California region, including the specific and variable climate resilience issues across geography and community.

● Grassroots organizing experience within the climate or another social justice movement.

Compensation, Benefits, and Work Environment

The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $125,000, commensurate with experience. NCG also offers competitive benefits that reflect our values and commitment to our team members’ well-being and resilience, including:

● Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

● Flexible Spending Account

● Vacation, Sick and Holiday pay

● 403(b) Voluntary Plan

● Short and Long-Term Disability

● Life Insurance

● Employee Assistance Program

● Staff Development and Wellness Funds

The Director for Climate and Disaster Resilience is joining a joyful team of individuals committed to social impact, a healthy working culture, and a respect for the many different aspects of life. Racial equity, belonging, and diversity, equity, and inclusion are baked into everything we do, and we encourage applicants of diverse race, ethnic culture, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, and physical abilities to bring your lived experiences along with your professional selves.

For health and safety, NCG requires all employees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. If you receive an offer and are unable to get vaccinated for religious or medical reasons, you may request a reasonable accommodation.

How to Apply

To apply, please email your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) and resume (not to exceed two pages), answering the questions below, as well as a list of three references (who will not be contacted without advance notice) to ncg@walkeraac.com by Friday, September 8, 2023, at 5 PM PDT. Please include “Director for Climate and Disaster Resilience” in the subject line:

1) What motivates you to offer your time and talents to work on climate and disaster resilience?

2) How have you centered communities most impacted by the climate crisis in your approach to this work?

3) Share a brief example of an experience, program, or campaign you led that illuminates your interest in NCG’s work around racial equity and environmental justice. What is a key lesson learned that you would bring with you to this role?

Northern California Grantmakers (NCG)

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Director for Climate and Disaster Resilience