Sequoia Climate Foundation is a new philanthropy that seeks to decarbonize the world economy at a speed and scale equal to the challenge. We support bold strategies and efforts that will have both a near-term impact and the greatest probability of long-term success. We believe that solving climate change requires the adoption of ambitious, evidence-based policy solutions that transform markets, advance clean technology, and lead to large-scale change. 

Our focus areas include power, transportation, buildings, industry, land use, agriculture and forestry, finance, communications, movement building, and public engagement. Sequoia Climate Foundation is active in major emitting geographies, including China, the United States, India, and the European Union, among others. We are dedicated to building the political will and powerful coalitions needed to achieve these bold policy solutions. 

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Grants Officer who will manage projects that improve grantmaking processes and systems, designs robust training opportunities for staff, and helps drive a learning culture on grantmaking practices. They will develop a framework for and lead the implementation of a training curriculum to support grantmaking. The Grants Officer is also responsible for understanding grant compliance and grantmaking practices supporting the programmatic goals across the foundation.  They will serve as a resource and trainer, build systems and processes, and lead and support projects.  This position requires strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, comfort with ambiguity in a changing environment, relationship-building, and project management skills. 

Location: Hybrid Role (In-person at our Irvine, CA location and Remote)

What You Will Do:

•  Co-design, implement and facilitate a robust coaching and training program that empowers program staff to be excellent Grantmakers, including a curriculum for new program staff who join, ongoing training on different aspects of due diligence and grant craft, improving the process from the grantee perspective, and sharing best practices from the field of philanthropy.
• Promote and create a learning and knowledge-sharing culture around grants and grant practices to support program staff.
• Drive proactive communication across internal stakeholders to promote effective change management. Help set norms for internal collaboration.
• Partner with the Grantmaking Operations Team to update and iterate on best practices for proposal applications and intake, grant review, due diligence, and grantee reporting. Understand the roles and workflows across the entire grantmaking process and strive for continuous improvement around gaps/barriers. Facilitate input gathering from staff for improvements and efficiencies.
• Partner with the Evidence and Learning Team to help develop and manage frameworks for collecting and using data to advance learning, decision making, and strategic goals.
• Understand trends and information needs within the organization and maintain and update grant policies and process documentation.
• Ensure that policies and procedures are followed and that all grants adhere to federal and state legal and tax requirements and international regulations.
• Oversee grant portfolios as needed. Support others on grant docket management and board meeting preparation.
• Assist the team with overall grants systems maintenance and implementation of grant best practices.
• Engage in technology projects (i.e., grants management system software) to ensure Sequoia is optimized with the best-in-class systems fit for purpose.
• Project management for various grantmaking operations projects across the organization.
• Identifies partners and collaborations to advance grantmaking strategies, including, as appropriate, active participation in collaboratives, conferences, and workshops.
• Supports the full lifecycle of all grants, from concept through all diligence and compliance processes to reporting and grant close.

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• A minimum of seven years of experience is required.
• A minimum of five years in Grants Management in philanthropy.
• Experience coaching or mentoring staff is required.
• Experience implementing training programs is required.
• Experience in international grantmaking is preferred

What You Will Enjoy:

You will be a part of an organization that promotes positive change in the world to minimize the impacts of climate change.  We provide competitive wages, health insurance, paid time off, and other perks to promote work/life harmony. We operate in a hybrid model, which means, both workdays from home and in the office for our Irvine, California location.

COVID-19 Update: Sequoia Climate Foundation requires its employees to be fully vaccinated and up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines unless they are approved for an exemption as allowed under federal and applicable state law. Unless approved for an exemption, new hires must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination at the time of hire, and offers of employment will be contingent on compliance with Sequoia Climate Foundation’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.  

We believe in the importance of cultivating teams with diverse backgrounds and offering equal opportunities to all. We strive to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every team member feels valued, and diversity is celebrated. Sequoia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or another legally protected status.