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Job Description
Position Summary:
Foundations in Education seeks a full-time Assistant Director for Scholarships and Grants to oversee the administration, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Foundation's scholarship and grant programs. Reporting to the President, the Assistant Director is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of scholarship and grantmaking activities, including application administration, award processes, committee support, fund distribution, stakeholder communications, program reporting, and operational planning. The Assistant Director serves as the Foundation's primary subject matter expert for scholarship and grant operations and works closely with Foundation leadership, Board committees, school administrators, donors, and diocesan partners to ensure the effective stewardship of donor funds and the equitable distribution of financial assistance. In addition to day-to-day program administration, the Assistant Director contributes to strategic planning efforts, program evaluation, process improvement initiatives, and the development of new scholarship and grant opportunities that advance the mission of Catholic education throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Organization Overview:
Foundations in Education is a Connecticut nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening and transforming Catholic education throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport by providing tuition assistance to families in need, supporting innovation in schools, and fostering excellence in educational leadership. The Foundation raises, manages, and distributes charitable funds that support scholarship, educational, and school advancement initiatives across Catholic schools in Fairfield County.
Primary Responsibilities:
Scholarship and Grant Program Management Manage the full operational lifecycle of scholarship and grant programs from application through award, verification, distribution, and reporting. Administer the Bishop's Scholarship Fund and other scholarship programs in accordance with Board-approved policies and procedures. Administer Innovation and Leadership Grants and other grantmaking initiatives as directed by Foundation leadership. Manage annual scholarship and grant application cycles, including timelines, communications, eligibility requirements, review processes, and award implementation. Ensure compliance with donor intent, fund restrictions, organizational policies, and approved allocation methodologies. Support the development and implementation of new scholarship and grant programs as organizational priorities evolve. Data Management, Reporting, and Analysis Serve as primary administrator of scholarship and grant management systems, including FACTS Grant & Aid and related databases. Maintain the integrity, accuracy, and security of scholarship and grant data. Extract, analyze, and interpret program data to support leadership decision-making and Board oversight. Develop reports, dashboards, demographic analyses, enrollment trends, award projections, and program impact summaries. Prepare regular reports for Foundation leadership, Board committees, donors, schools, and other stakeholders. Identify opportunities to improve reporting processes, data quality, and operational efficiency. Committee and Governance Support Staff Scholarship, Grant, and other related Board committees. Prepare meeting materials, award recommendations, allocation scenarios, reports, and supporting documentation. Record committee meeting minutes and maintain official program records. Support Board reporting processes and maintain documentation related to scholarship and grant approvals. Assist leadership in evaluating program performance and recommending policy or procedural improvements. Verification, Distribution, and Financial Stewardship Manage scholarship verification processes throughout the academic year to ensure accurate enrollment and award administration. Coordinate scholarship and grant distributions in partnership with Foundation leadership, Finance, and diocesan stakeholders. Prepare distribution schedules, reconciliation reports, and approval documentation. Monitor fund balances and award allocations to ensure responsible stewardship of donor resources. Maintain records supporting audits, financial reviews, and program accountability. School and Stakeholder Engagement Serve as the primary operational liaison to principals, bookkeepers, school administrators, and tuition assistance personnel. Provide guidance and support regarding scholarship and grant processes, deadlines, policies, and reporting requirements. Build collaborative relationships with schools to support successful implementation of Foundation programs. Assist donors, families, committee members, and community stakeholders with scholarship and grant-related inquiries. Communications and Marketing Develop and execute communications related to scholarship and grant programs, including application campaigns, award notifications, program updates, and impact reporting. Coordinate scholarship and grant materials across multiple platforms, including email, print, website, social media, and donor communications. Collaborate with Foundation staff on organizational communications, stewardship initiatives, annual reports, and marketing efforts as needed. Assist in communicating program outcomes and impact to donors, schools, and the broader community. Events and Stewardship Plan and execute events related to scholarship and grant programs, including scholarship receptions, donor recognition events, grant award celebrations, and related stewardship activities. Coordinate event logistics, communications, participant management, and post-event follow-up. Support broader Foundation events and initiatives as needed. Strategic Planning and Program Development Contribute to organizational planning and program development efforts related to scholarships, grants, and educational initiatives. Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend enhancements to improve impact, efficiency, and stakeholder experience. Identify opportunities for process improvement, technology enhancements, and operational scalability. Support leadership in assessing emerging scholarship and grant opportunities aligned with the Foundation's mission and strategic priorities. Additional Responsibilities Participate in Foundation-wide projects and initiatives as assigned. Attend evening and weekend meetings and events as required. Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position. Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree required. Minimum of five years of experience in scholarship administration, grantmaking, nonprofit program management, education administration, development, financial aid, or a related field. Demonstrated experience managing complex programs, projects, or operational processes. Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and stakeholder groups. Commitment to the mission of Catholic education and the values of Foundations in Education. Preferred Experience with scholarship administration, grantmaking, financial aid, or education-focused nonprofit organizations. Experience supporting Board or committee governance processes. Experience with data analysis, reporting, and program evaluation. Proficiency with FACTS Grant & Aid or similar scholarship management systems. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. Experience with SharePoint, Constant Contact, Adobe InDesign, Canva, CRM systems, or related platforms. Spanish, Portuguese, or French language proficiency is a plus.
