Program Fellowship - The Field Foundation of Illinois

THE FIELD FOUNDATION

Founded in 1940 by Marshall Field III, the Field Foundation is a private, independent foundation that has been dedicated to the promise of Chicago for over 80 years. The Field Foundation aims its grantmaking toward the goal of Community Empowerment through Justice, Art and Leadership Investment. With racial equity at the center of its giving, it directs dollars to critical organizations working to address systemic issues in Chicago and aims to directly benefit some of the city’s most divested communities.

At the heart of the Field Foundation’s work is a commitment to community-centered empowerment. Through its Leadership Investment work, the Foundation aims to recognize, honor, and support the deep bench of visionary leaders across Chicago by supporting both emerging and established leaders through its grantmaking in three areas: Support of Field Fellows, support of leadership advancement organizations and individual leaders within the Chicago metro area. Through these supports, the Field Foundation acts as a connector, supporter, and investor in leaders who have the potential to transform Chicago.

The Foundation’s work in Leadership Investment places an emphasis on racially equitable supports for leaders on the south and west sides of Chicago with a focus on African, Latinx, Asian, Arab and Native American (ALAANA) organizations.

To learn more about the Field Foundation’s work in Leadership Investment, please visit the website www.fieldfoundation.org. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a premier opportunity in philanthropy where fellows can develop an analytical lens to evaluate solutions that advance racial equity and cultural connections in an urban setting. Fellows will review grant proposals, conduct site visits, and make grant recommendations. They will gain exposure to a wide range of social and economic issues while discovering trends in the nonprofit sector. Fellows will also create documentation for staff and the board of directors as well as work on special projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Fellows learn all aspects of the Field Foundation grantmaking process by reviewing grant proposals, conducting site visits, formulating grant recommendations, and provide written documentation for the Foundation’s staff and Board of Directors.

• Review and solicit grant proposals and reports, focusing on activities, results, indicators of success and budgets.

• Support Program Officers to conduct site visits and information meetings with grantee and potential grantees.

• Write briefs and funding recommendations.

• Support Program Officers in recommending grants to be presented to the Field Foundation’s Board of Directors.

• Support Leadership Investment Program Officer will all aspects of LFNC Award process

• Engage with nonprofit partners through collaboration, learning, exchange and strategic partnerships at
information sessions, conferences and through other opportunities.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Graduate students in any Chicago university that are working on degrees related to the Field Foundation’s Justice, Art, Media & Storytelling, and Leadership Investment programs are welcome to apply. The fellowship is supervised, can provide credit towards a degree, and offers fieldwork and philanthropic experience.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Optimistic outlook

• Enthusiasm for organizational change and learning

• Ability to interact with empathy and a sense of humor

• Deep passion for and commitment to honest and candid conversations and self-reflection about race, racial

justice, and equity

• Partnership approach and ability to effectively work with different work styles

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Operating at the intersections of art, justice, media & storytelling, and leadership investment in Chicago – The Field foundation is a unique place. It is both creative and collegial, a place for discussion and debate as its staff and board reflect Chicago’s racial diversity. The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, gender identity or expression, color, national origin, ability, ethnicity, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief. The Field Foundation's board and staff are strongly committed to a diverse and equitable. Work environment. People of all backgrounds, abilities, gender expressions, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, religions, and nationalities are strongly encouraged to apply.

DURATION: September 5, 2023 - May 31, 2024

HOURS: 16 – 20 hours/week

STIPEND: $10,000

TO BE CONSIDERED

Please visit Field Foundation’s website for instructions on how to apply https://fieldfoundation.org/fellowship-

application

Applications open on February 15, 2023

Applications are due on March 15, 2023, by 11:59pm