Kataly Foundation, Program Officer, Environmental Justice Resourcing Collective (EJRC)

Operations and Projects Manager 

Location 

San Francisco Bay Area, CA (currently remote) 

Reports to 

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Organization Background 

Kataly Foundation, a new family foundation based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is  committed to supporting restorative economics, environmental justice, and mindfulness and  racial justice. Founded with the intention of spending out a $445 million endowment over a ten to fifteen-year time horizon, this growing organization intends not only to support movements  around these issues, but also to serve as a progressive leader in philanthropy. At this  inaugural moment, the foundation is seeking to build its Finance and Operations team to  support the foundation’s programs and grantees.  

Kataly’s mission is to support and provide resources to communities and social movements  that are exploring new solutions to persistent, systemic problems. Kataly does this while  embracing its role and responsibility in changing systems that led to wealth extraction from  these communities in the first place. We move resources to support the economic, political,  and cultural power of Black and Indigenous communities, and all communities of color. By  transforming its own relationship to capital, the planet, and each other, the Kataly Foundation  will redistribute and redefine wealth in a way that leads to transformation, abundance, and  regeneration. 

One important distinction of the Kataly Foundation is that its approach is meant to be inclusive  of the activist communities it seeks to fund. Pursuing a “bottom-up” philosophy, the Foundation  actively engages leaders in the fields it supports to help make grantmaking decisions. In a  sharp departure from traditional philanthropy, Kataly aims to center solutions where the  problems are. In addition, the Foundation is committed to philanthropic best practices: general  operating support, creative use of capital, and a commitment to capacity building and network weaving. 

The Opportunity  

Kataly’s Environmental Justice Resourcing Collective (EJRC) is led by a group of eight  movement leaders who are designing and directing an initial $50 million in support of Black,  Indigenous, and communities of color-led projects and organizations. The EJRC will support  projects that address community healing, build power, and/or build and strengthen the 

Kataly Foundation Position Description: Program Officer, Environmental Justice Resourcing Collective Page 2 of 4 

community infrastructure and land strategies that support the self-determination of Black,  Indigenous, and all communities of color and the sustainability of the planet.  

The EJRC Program Officer will be a thoughtful and engaged contributor to Kataly’s growing  team. They will work closely with the EJRC leaders and Kataly to support the EJRC’s decision making, planning, and grantmaking processes.  

Position Responsibilities  

Build trusting relationships with EJRC grantees and EJRC leadership  Work closely with the EJRC leaders and consultants to advance the goals of the EJRC  and amplify its work and the work of its grantee partners in the philanthropic arena Provide regular updates to the EJRC leadership and Kataly team on the work of EJRC  grantees, and keep them abreast of developments in the field 

Organize, schedule, and plan meetings for the EJRC leadership as needed Conduct research and writing as needed to support the EJRC leadership and Kataly’s  program needs 

Manage administration and logistics as it pertains to program meetings, events, etc. Facilitate and lead meetings and events as needed 

In collaboration with Kataly’s Director of Capacity Building, work with EJRC grantees and  the EJRC leadership to identify, prioritize, and address key capacity building needs of  grantees and across the ecosystem  

Partner with Kataly’s Director of Communications to lift up grantee and EJRC stories,  and contribute to content for a range of communications opportunities and needs  Represent the EJRC in philanthropic spaces, and movement/grantee partner spaces  where invited/appropriate 

Serve as a connector for grantees–with and among each other where it is  useful/supportive of their work, and with potential funders and donors, and other  opportunities to lift up and amplify their organizations, and increase their access to  philanthropic spaces 

Facilitate opportunities for collaboration across Kataly program areas: coordinate with  EJRC leaders and the Restorative Economies Fund and the Mindfulness and Healing  Justice programs 

Work closely with other justice-focused funders across a range of issue areas to lift up  the work and strategies of our grantees, and of the EJRC and Kataly  

Engage and play a leadership role in networks of funders where it serves our grantees  and the work 

In collaboration with Kataly’s Director of Knowledge and Grants, ensure integrity, as well  as clarity and ease for grantees, of grantmaking procedures  

Organize, structure and maintain grantee data current and present it regularly in relevant  formats for the EJRC leaders and Kataly staff and leadership

Kataly Foundation Position Description: Program Officer, Environmental Justice Resourcing Collective Page 3 of 4 

Manage the EJRC program budget efficiently and work with Kataly’s Director of Finance  and Operations to ensure relevant and appropriate budget projections as the program  evolves 

Produce qualitative and quantitative narrative reports on the EJRC’s grantmaking  strategy 

Support the EJRC leaders in an annual evaluation of the programs grantmaking 

Profile of the Successful Candidate  

Kataly Foundation is deeply committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We seek to have a diverse and inclusive workforce to promote effective work in partnership with all  communities and population groups. The Foundation seeks a professional with a commitment  to the power of philanthropy, social justice, and the common good; a passion for Kataly’s  program areas and organizational values; a collegial work style; a sense of humor; and the  dedication to work hard toward fulfilling the foundation’s mission of truly supporting  communities to exercise their power and voice and moving the needle on critical issues facing  our nation.  

The successful candidate for this position will come out of grassroots environmental justice  movement-based work, and will hold and embody a strong race, class, and gender analysis and  practice, consistent with the values and vision of the EJRC and Kataly. In addition, they will  have a mix of the following experiences and skills:  

Lived and work experience directly relevant to environmental justice in the U.S. (inclusive  of Indigenous, climate, food, racial, economic, immigrant/refugee justice, and other  related arenas)  

Experience with power-building strategies for impacted communities and communities  of color 

Demonstrated familiarity with and commitment to social justice concepts and  frameworks such as racial equity, gender analysis, economic justice, and structural bias Strong emotional intelligence, demonstrated humility, and an orientation toward  listening, especially to Black, Indigenous, and communities of color on the frontlines of  environmental injustice  

Ability to inspire trust and build authentic relationships with a wide range of people and  styles 

Proven capacities as a relationship-builder and a weaver/connector within and across  ecosystems of organizations 

Clear and compelling written and oral communication skills, interpersonal awareness,  and critical thinking skills 

The ability to manage confidential or sensitive information with discretion Highly organized with an attention to detail, ability to meet or exceed deadlines, and a  commitment to rigor and excellent work product 

Kataly Foundation Position Description: Program Officer, Environmental Justice Resourcing Collective Page 4 of 4 

Strong time management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects  simultaneously 

Strong work ethic and highest level of personal and professional integrity  Proven project management skills 

A deep commitment to supporting and uplifting the expertise of Black, Indigenous and  people of color-led groups and formations 

Fluency in a second language is preferred, though not required 

Start Timeframe  

We seek to have someone in place by August 2021.  

Compensation  

This is a full-time (40 hours) exempt position offering a competitive salary and a  comprehensive benefits package.  

To Apply  

All applications are held in strict confidence. Please submit your resume along with a cover  letter expressing why you think you would be a good fit for this position to jobs@kataly.org.  Combine your cover letter and resume into one PDF file. Both the PDF file name and subject line  of your email should be in the format “YOUR NAME – EJRC Program Officer Application.” In the  autoresponder email you receive confirming we have received your application, there will be a  link to a form that you will need to fill out to complete your application. If you do not receive the  confirmation email, send an email to jobs@kataly.org. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority consideration given to early applicants. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2021. 

Learn more about Kataly at www.katalyfoundation.org