Company Name
Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation
Company City
San Francisco
Company State
CA
Job Location
Hybrid
Company Information
Delle Maxwell and Pat Hanrahan started the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation in 2018 to support
individual scientists, teachers, conservationists and creators whose diverse perspectives enable
us to discover new things about ourselves and our world.
The Foundation supports people who:
● Explore and ask through fieldwork in natural sciences.
● Create and captivate as they promote mastery in art and craft.
● Teach and try as they support students in public education.
● Conserve and connect as they encourage care for the natural world.
Focus areas include hands-on science, art and craft, teachers and classrooms and protecting
nature. Our current programs include Field Biology, Craft, Diversity and Inclusion in Art, Design
and Computing, Public School Teachers, Resilient Ecosystems, and Food. In 2025, the Foundation
is exploring new programs in field-based Earth Science and Science Communication.
Learn more about our programs here.
Job Description
The Opportunity
The Program Associate will support the work of program staff in grant research and reporting,
awards and program implementation, grant management, operational support, research projects
and program-related communications that celebrate the people and organizations we fund.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the position may work across all of the Foundation’s
programs, but initially will likely focus on Resilient Ecosystems (60%), future science programs,and Public School Teachers (20%).
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing, early-stage family foundation. The team
has the flexibility to experiment, refine, and expand programs that directly support individuals
making an impact in their fields.
Key Responsibilities
Program Operations Support (65%)
● Assist the Executive Director and Program Officer in developing and managing grants,
particularly for the Resilient Ecosystems portfolio.
● Research potential grantees, evaluate proposals, draft grant summaries through online
research; schedule and track outcomes, and enter grants into the grants management
system.
● Support ongoing grant management: provide initial review of reports, schedule calls,
answer questions about our reporting processes, and support reporting conversations and
documentation with grantees.
● Elevate organizational or programmatic questions and challenges.
● Apply judgment, discretion and trust-based philanthropy principles in grantee
interactions.
● Provide program management support for new awards: organize and
participate in advisory committee meetings, draft and send communications
to nominators.
● Assist in conducting due diligence on award nominees in existing and new
awards.
Communications (20%)
● Serve as the primary contact for grant reports and payment inquiries.
● Research, select, and draft content for Foundation communications, including blog
posts, press releases, social media, and the website.
● Support efforts to highlight and engage award winners, including developing videos,
promotional materials, and supporting in-person awards events.
● Respond to requests for information and resources or elevate to the appropriate
Foundation contact.
● Actively participate in and support internal and external meetings: draft agendas,
prepare supporting materials, take notes, and contribute to discussions.
● Cultivate an inclusive network of partners and stay informed on key issues in our fields of
interest.
● Represent the Foundation to external audiences, including foundations, non-profits,
awardees and community leaders.
Research and Grant Development (15%)
● Research potential grantees and perform landscape analyses relevant to the
Foundation’s focus areas.
● Conduct research to support program strategy in collaboration with the Executive
Director and other program staff.
Job Qualifications
Key Competencies
Please view this list as guidance. If you do not meet all of the items on this list and have skills and
experiences that would be an asset to the role, please apply.
● Grantmaking & Program Operations: Skilled at supporting senior staff with high-volume
grant processes, including research, data entry, report review, and grantee
communications. Comfortable managing transactional details while understanding broader
program goals.
● Project Management & Organization: Exceptionally detail-oriented, with the ability to
track multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and ensure work is completed to a high standard.
Skilled at managing up and keeping program staff on track.
● Flexibility & Adaptability: Comfortable supporting multiple staff members, shifting
priorities, and handling emerging needs in a lean, evolving organization.
● Communication & Professionalism: Strong written and verbal communication skills. Able
to interact with staff, founders, and external stakeholders with maturity and discretion.
Able to build trust and represent the Foundation professionally.
● Trust-Based Philanthropy: Understands and applies principles of trust-based philanthropy
while ensuring compliance with grantmaking policies and procedures.
● Initiative & Independent Work Ethic: Takes ownership of tasks, works independently, and
exercises sound judgment about when to escalate issues.
● Teamwork & Relationship Management: Comfortable in a teamwork-heavy environment
and contributing to a collaborative, inclusive workplace. Strong interpersonal skills to work
closely with leadership, internal teams, grantees, and external partners.
Qualifications
● Experience: Minimum 3 years of professional experience in grantmaking, nonprofit
operations, program administration, project management or a related field with high-
volume transactional work. Prior foundation or regranting experience is highly desirable.
● Education: Open to various educational backgrounds. Strong preference for candidates
with prior professional office experience handling responsibilities like writing professional
emails, presenting to senior staff, and managing deadlines.
● Commitment to the Mission: Broad interest in the Foundation’s work in science, art, craft,
teaching, and environmental protection, with an ability to engage thoughtfully across these
areas.
● Career Trajectory Fit: This is a critical position supporting a small team; it is not designed to
be a pathway to a Program Officer position in the near term. Ideal candidates will see the
opportunity for professional growth within the Program Associate role.
How to Apply
The position will remain posted until filled. All applicants will be notified when the search has
closed. You may contact search lead Tamara Evans with questions
(). To ensure your application is reviewed and you receive
notifications about the process, please use only the career portal to submit your application
materials.
CEA Recruiting is assisting Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation with this search. To be considered for
the position, please visit our career portal to submit a resume, thoughtful cover letter, and
salary expectations. Please note that applications submitted without a cover letter will not be
considered.
We anticipate the interview process will include:
● An initial 30-45-minute video interview with CEA Recruiting
● A 75-minute video interview with members of the Maxwell/Hanrahan hiring team
● An in-person interview day with 2-3 sessions with the Maxwell/Hanrahan staff team
Throughout the process, we will make sure there is sufficient time for you to ask us questions.
Interviews can be scheduled outside of normal business hours, if needed. With your permission,
we ask final candidates to provide references, and we complete a background check. We are
committed to keeping you informed of your status throughout the process.