Foundations in Faith - Program Associate

Foundations in Faith, Inc. is a Connecticut not-for-profit organization committed to supporting and advancing the mission of the Catholic Church throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport through strategic philanthropic investment, parish engagement, and faith formation initiatives.

Through the St. John Paul II Fund for Faith Formation and other charitable initiatives, Foundations in Faith provides resources that strengthen parish life, support innovative approaches to faith formation, and foster opportunities for spiritual growth and discipleship across the Diocese.

The Program Associate is responsible for managing and assisting in the development of the St. John Paul II Fund for Faith Formation and other grantmaking or programmatic initiatives as assigned.

With direct oversight and management of overall grant operations and reporting to the Director, the Program Associate will manage, according to Board-approved procedures, the full grant application, review, award, compliance, and reporting processes. The Program Associate will serve as the primary point of contact for prospective and current grant recipients and will work to cultivate strong relationships with pastors, parish staff, ministry leaders, and other stakeholders throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport.

The Program Associate will play a critical role in defining and implementing the Foundation’s grantmaking strategy and priorities and will manage all facets of the St. John Paul II Fund for Faith Formation and other grantmaking initiatives sustained or launched through Foundations in Faith.

The Program Associate will also be responsible for communications, marketing, reporting, and storytelling related to Foundation programs and funded initiatives. The successful candidate must possess the knowledge and ability to work closely with Foundation staff, board members, parish leaders, diocesan personnel, donors, volunteers, and community partners.

The Program Associate will prepare regular and annual reports for leadership, committees, donors, and the Board by providing relevant data regarding program performance, grant impact, and strategic outcomes.

Grant Program Administration

• Administration of the overall grant application, review, selection, award, compliance, and reporting processes.
• Administering all aspects of the St. John Paul II Fund for Faith Formation, including application development, applicant support, review coordination, award recommendations, and post-award monitoring.
• Administration of grant recipient reporting requirements and ensuring compliance with grant agreements and Foundation expectations.
• Maintaining grant records, documentation, databases, and program reporting systems.
• Assisting in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, guidelines, and evaluation tools related to Foundation grantmaking activities.
• Preparing funding recommendations and supporting grant review committees and Board leadership throughout the decision-making process.
• Monitoring grant-funded initiatives and evaluating progress toward program goals and intended outcomes.
• Supporting the development and administration of future grantmaking and community engagement initiatives.

Parish & Stakeholder Engagement

• Cultivating relationships with pastors, parish administrators, directors of religious education, youth ministers, and other parish leaders throughout the Diocese.
• Providing technical assistance and guidance to applicants and grant recipients.
• Conducting outreach activities, informational sessions, presentations, and meetings related to Foundation programs.
• Serving as the primary liaison between the Foundation and grant recipients.
• Representing Foundations in Faith at diocesan, parish, and community events as appropriate.
• Coordinating the collection of testimonials, stories, photographs, and other materials that highlight program impact.
• Supporting Foundation-wide administrative, communications, and marketing initiatives as needed.

General Responsibilities

• Staffing related Board and committee meetings as assigned.
• Maintaining confidentiality regarding donor, applicant, recipient, and organizational information.
• Additional duties in support of grantmaking initiatives as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and experience in grant management, nonprofit administration, philanthropy, Catholic ministry, parish leadership, education, community engagement, or comparable experience.

The candidate will possess a proven track record of success, excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills. The successful candidate must be a team player, self-motivated strategic thinker, detail-oriented, persistent, intuitive, creative problem-solver, and capable of building productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

The candidate will be multi-lingual (English and Spanish) with fluency in both written and spoken form.

The successful candidate should be comfortable working within a mission-driven organization and a fast-paced environment and should demonstrate a commitment to the mission and values of the Catholic Church.

Preferred qualifications include

• Experience managing grantmaking programs or competitive funding initiatives.
• Experience working with parishes, dioceses, schools, ministries, or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience in program evaluation, impact measurement, and reporting.
• Experience developing communications, marketing materials, and donor-facing reports.
• Knowledge of grant management software, CRM systems, Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, database platforms, email campaign, or comparable software.

Foundations in Faith offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, subject to applicable plan terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements.

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options for eligible employees and eligible dependents.
• Life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and long-term disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Participation in a 403(b) retirement plan.
• Paid time off and observance of the Diocese holiday schedule, subject to applicable policies.
• A mission-centered workplace rooted in Catholic faith, service, community, and belonging.
• Benefit offerings and employee contributions are subject to change and will be reviewed in accordance with official plan documents and Human Resources guidance.

Salary range is $60,000-$65,000, commensurate with experience. This position is based in Shelton, Connecticut.