Director of Policy and Civic Action

Who Are We? 

With a vision of a joyful region of shared prosperity, belonging, and justice, Seattle Foundation works to support and sustain the ecosystem of community organizations who are most proximate to the issues we are trying to change. Through our work as a philanthropic advisor, grant maker, and convener, we invest in community-led solutions and ignite powerful and rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

Position Overview:

Seattle Foundation is hiring a Director of Policy and Civic Action to drive our policy-focused investments in support of systemic change and to oversee our approach to leveraging our voice and resources in service of civic action. This position includes strategic leadership, grants management, program planning and development, lobbying oversight, talent management, and support budgeting, financial reporting, and fundraising. This position reports to the Chief Impact Officer and includes people management responsibilities.

Primary Responsibilities:

Guide the Foundation’s Policy and Civic Action Strategies  

• Lead the development and implementation of the Foundation’s investments and actions related to Seattle Foundation’s newly approved strategic plan with a particular focus on affordable housing, transit-oriented development and childcare policy priorities, and tied to the Blueprint for Impact’s cross cutting strategies. This portfolio includes, but is not limited to, the following programs: Communities of Opportunity, Voter Education Fund, Climate Justice, Economic Opportunity, and Civic Participation.
  • Manage program officers and consultants implementing policy and systems change grantmaking and provide day-to-day support of critical programs and partnerships. Support team in maintaining a grantmaking portfolio in service of the policy priorities and a just democracy.
  • Guide critical investments and programming in service of the policy priorities and a just democracy, especially with organizations led by and serving Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities. Maintain fidelity to grantmaking practices that prioritize relationships, center the experience and wisdom of community, and address inequitable barriers to funding. Facilitate decision-making with community review committees and manage grantmaking and funding process.
  • Oversee co-creation and strategy development with King County as part of our shared programing through Communities of Opportunity and Voter Education Fund.
  • Assess and implement necessary refinements to policy related grant programs as needed. Strategize with Chief Impact Officer and Director of Grantmaking and Community Engagement to evolve and develop new programs and partnerships related to policy activity in light of community opportunities and needs, available resources, and emerging partnerships.
• Guide Seattle Foundation’s civic action efforts, inclusive of relationships with institutional funders, businesses, and government around shared priorities and critical community efforts.
  • Build deep, durable relationships at the local and state level, especially in City of Seattle and King County related to the civic action framework and policy priorities. Develop a strong network of key stakeholders, policymakers, state and local leaders, grantees and nonprofit partners, and the Foundation’s cross-sector partners that support the Foundation’s mission and informs and advances its racial justice and economic equity work.
  • Manage Seattle Foundation’s process to engage in support for ballot initiatives that align with community priorities and SeaFdn’s policy priorities. Lead the development and internal review process for taking a position. Work with communications team in design of external materials.
  • Represent Seattle Foundations at critical tables related to collective action, community priorities, and cross sector engagement. Across each of these, the Director of Policy and Civic Action is tasked with building and guiding the partnership/collaborative in line with foundation values and opportunity for leveraged impact and voice.
  • Support the foundation’s efforts to align and support coordinated philanthropic activities and learning towards greater social impact. Serve as a bridge builder to community grantees providing connections to philanthropy, perspective, and best practices in navigating organizational and community needs.
  • Serve as a liaison in navigating community challenges on behalf of the Foundation.

Collaborate cross-functionally with Impact and Learning teams in service of the Blueprint for Impact.

• Bring creativity and insights from community to inform the evolution of the foundation’s programming to ensure support for unmet community needs in alignment with the Blueprint for Impact.
• Align closely with the work of the Director of Grantmaking and Community Engagement to ensure cohesive implementation of systems change strategies and support of community rooted approaches in service of the Foundation’s policy priorities.
• Work with the Learning team to ensure our grantmaking evaluation efforts inform future program design.
• Manage funder relationships relative to policy grantmaking programs in coordination with Managing Director of Operations and Impact and Chief Impact Officer, including providing timely reports, critical updates and considering opportunities for deepening partnerships. 
• Manage the grantmaking and community engagement budget in collaboration with Chief Impact Officer and with other Directors on the Team, set annual goals and budget aligned with strategy and support direct reports and foundation staff in the implementation of the budget.
• Work across the team of Directors to support team cohesion, alignment and talent development.

Foundation-wide Coordination of Blueprint for Impact: 

• Work across the foundation to align approaches and activities with other departments, ensuring our approach to policy and civic action works in alignment with the values, activities and approach our fundholder and philanthropic services, finance and operations, marketing and communications, and activities of the President’s Office.
• Support communication, coordination of activities, and collective implementation of the Blueprint for Impact across Impact and Learning.
• Support Board or Board Committee learning and understanding of our policy and civic action approach and community priorities. 
• Provide expertise to support Foundation’s philanthropic advising in alignment with the Blueprint for Impact and assist in donor awareness of our programs and grantees.
• Provide content for Seattle Foundation’s communications (blogs, reports, etc.).
• Participate in team-wide communication, planning, and strategy development and implementation efforts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum seven years of experience in grantmaking, policy development, community organizing, nonprofit management or equivalent experience.
• Deep knowledge of racial equity issues and a demonstrated commitment to addressing systemic issues through programs, movement building, collective impact and/or policy change work.
• Proven experience working alongside diverse BIPOC communities, organizations, and issues prioritized by communities and in the Blueprint for Impact.
• Proven experience in project management, team development, budget management.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and work effectively across teams and work styles.
• Strong operational execution skills (planning and project management) coupled with strong analytical, problem-solving, and judgment skills.
• Proven experience supporting policy activities and knowledge of 501c3 lobbying rules and reporting requirements.
• Ability to prioritize work and decisions in an ambiguous environment.
• Effective communicator with experience informing and persuading others and facilitating organizational change (ability to influence without authority and clarity).
• Effective verbal and written skills including editing and formatting skills; attention to detail.
• Ability to manage work including coordinating multiple projects with disparate aspects and competing deadlines.
• Ability to successfully work with a diverse range of people, inside and outside the organization.
• BA in Public Affairs, Social Work, Community Development, or equivalent experience. Master’s degree preferred.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

Seattle Foundation envisions a thriving region of shared prosperity, belonging, and justice, where all individuals and communities have equitable access and outcomes, regardless of race, place, or identity. We are committed to advancing racial equity using an intersectional lens, and integrate our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into all that we do. We hold ourselves accountable to uphold our organizational values and strive to do better every day.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

The work is performed remote, in an office setting, or a hybrid combination. All positions require the capability of working at a PC for extended periods. Team efforts with event support may require periods of physical activity involving standing, walking, and moderate lifting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions of the role.

Safety and Health Requirements 

Seattle Foundation places the health and safety of its employees and the communities we serve as our highest priority. To support this priority, we require that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Waivers are available for accepted medical and religious exemptions.