Join Our Team

Purpose of Position

The Director of Government Grants (DGG) is responsible for identifying, developing, drafting, and pursuing grant proposals to federal, state, and local government, agencies, and private foundations and selected donors to bring resources to the region.

The DGG combines strategic thinking and sharp execution to enable The San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center (Policy & Innovation Center) and San Diego Foundation (SDF) to reach targets, goals, and attain objectives.

Essential contributions and principal responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design, lead and implement an integrated resource development strategy to support new grants to the region (focus is on non-San Diego funding, including federal and state).
• Expand SDF and the Policy and Innovation Center’s traditional funding sources by creating new and innovative funding sources through leadership in funding research/opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Facilitate and drive funding growth by working with SDF donor services, Policy and Innovation Center staff, partners, and key stakeholders.
• Build and maintain high-level contacts with current and prospective grantors.
• Lead interactions with external stakeholders that support internal development efforts.
• Identify and drive prospects through to award (including identifying new funding opportunities, options, and proposal preparation).
• Continually and proactively assess demographics, macroeconomics, and competitive market issues impacting SDF and the Policy & Innovation Center and develop solutions.
• Apply financial reason to any new opportunity to increase the probability of future sustainability.
• Work with internal partners to build financial analyses and models to evaluate potential funding and impacts.
• Create a culture of positivity and success across the organization.
• Develop and produce analytic reports that synthesize the funding opportunities, insights for improved proposals, and informed decision-making.
• Evaluate and participate in the drive to use innovative technology funding vehicles.
• Provide strategic and marketing insight to all donor materials and strategic support on the full range of external stakeholder communications.
• Support CEO of the Policy and Innovation Center and Chief Innovation Officer at SDF with the preparation of board materials and funding proposals.

Supervision Received

• Works closely with and reports directly to the President & CEO of the Policy and Innovation Center and the Chief Innovation Officer at SDF.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, creative writing, or a related area (master’s degree preferred).
• A minimum of ten years’ experience of successful progression in grant writing at the federal, state, and local government/agency level, and expertise obtaining grants from significant foundations preferred.

Skills and Qualifications

• Operate with a positive, well-defined sense of self and be self-directed while demonstrating political savvy and diplomacy.
• The ability to draw accurate conclusions from quantitative and qualitative data and programmatic goals and then identify and develop supporting grant proposals and resources.
• Demonstrated skill for creating a climate focused on achievement and results
• Proven willingness to be accountable for the success of the organization’s vision and business plans through a funding and resource lens that are in support of the vision
• Exceptional communicator with the ability to present concepts and strategic objectives in clear, concise, and fundable grant proposals.
• The ability to articulate how your work and grant funds improve or improve the communities we serve.
• Proven ability to present, articulate, and inspire potential donors and grantors with our work, community impact, and vision to support proposals.
• A style that emphasizes openness, collaboration, and connectivity.
• Passion for learning and relentless improvement.
• Excellent relationship-building skills.
• Excellent knowledge of federal, state, and municipal proposal submission and fundraising process and experience with private foundations.
• Ability to study and understand programs and funding requirements of the organizations.
• Strong research skills and knowledge of information sources.
• Multitasking, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to handle confidential matters with the utmost integrity.

Anticipated hiring salary is $140,000

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your PDF resume and PDF cover letter to jobs@sdfoundation.org and place Director of Government Grants in the subject line.

The primary responsibility of the Finance & SD Housing Impact Fund (SDHIF) Administrator is to provide widespread support for the divisions’ overall daily flow of work.

Essential duties and principal responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Maintains virtual and physical filing systems as directed.
• Produces information as requested from records, email, minutes, and other related documents; prepares communications of data when needed.
• Coordinates and schedules meetings and appointments within and outside the organization.
• Prepares and distributes agendas and schedules for internal and external participant meetings.
• Records and distributes minutes or other records for meetings.
• Maintains office supplies and coordinates maintenance of office equipment.
• Process expense reports, check processing (to include check request routing) and credit card management. Vendor contact for issues as applicable.
• Maintains a system for recording expenses.
• Manages projects and special assignments; gaining cooperation of others; monitoring progress, and problem solving.
• Support divisions’ mailings as needed.
• Maintain and manage contact list for outside partners.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Minimum of three years administrative experience in a professional office environment; nonprofit experience preferable.
• BlackBaud/RE/Database experience a plus.
• Proven track record in developing and utilizing administrative organizational systems with attention to detail, timeliness and record keeping.
• Experience providing superior customer service.
• Demonstrated experience with coordinating logistics of meeting scheduling, planning and implementation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivation with a proactive approach to work; flexibility and strong interpersonal skills are essential.
• Experience with developing and maintaining budgets.
• Expert proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel; strong aptitude and experience with relational database entry and management as well as exporting and report generation.
• Asana, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft SharePoint experience a plus.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Working understanding of clerical procedures and systems such as recordkeeping and filing.
• Ability to work independently and successfully prioritize and manage multiple projects with competing changing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proven experience thriving in a fast-paced environment adapting to change, as necessary.
• Work with and effectively manage information of a confidential nature requiring considerable discretions, judgment, tact, and diplomacy.
• Professional, positive attitude and demeanor to appropriately represent the organization with both internal and external partners.
• SDF mission aligned.

Supervision Received

• Reports to the Director of Accounting

Education

• Associate or bachelor’s degree helpful but not required

San Diego Foundation offers an excellent work environment, benefit package, and competitive compensation. 

Anticipated starting hourly rate: $30.00

Please apply at jobs@sdfoundation.org, and place Finance & SDHIF Administrator in the subject line and attach your PDF resume and PDF cover letter.

The specialist will provide effective, efficient, and reliable analysis to the Chief Investment Officer (CIO). This position is an active participant in our sound portfolio-management strategy by providing the necessary data for our decision-making process.

The specialist will deliver professional, superior customer service to all internal and external constituents.

Essential duties and principal responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead investment rebalancing process for all SDF’s investment portfolios.
• Manages adequate investment funding (capital calls) through monitoring of cash position(s) across all investment portfolios, researching, and consolidating as needed.
• Develop reports, spreadsheets, tables, and grids to summarize and present information.
• Prepare materials and presentations in preparation for staff meetings; Executive Team meetings; and Investment Committee meetings.
• Attending quarterly Investment Committee meetings, being the meeting recorder and is responsible in distributing minutes to the CIO and Committee Chair post meeting.
• Maintain all operational material related to Investment managers including but not limited to performance reports, quarterly letters, account statements.
• Ensure all contact information for investment managers is current and updated regularly.
• Create and maintain database for cash and stock monitoring and distributions from all private fund investments.
• Develop and enforce best practices to ensure Investment department files are organized.
• Support CIO and Controller through the annual financial statement and tax audit process by collecting and providing statements, materials, and research as needed.
• Ongoing maintenance of custodian relationship
• Operational specialist for the Investment function, to include internal and external correspondence, and distribution. Coordination and scheduling of internal and external meetings, processing of Investment department invoices, and establishing and maintaining efficient departmental workflows.
• Serve as liaison between Investment department and other internal departments.
• Communication and coordination with investment partners.
• Work internally with the team on financial projections.
• Assist the team with special investment-oriented assignments by assembling and summarizing data, preparing reports, and will make presentations of findings and analyses.

Reports to the Chief Investment Officer.

Experience Skills, and Abilities

• 2 years of experience in an investment, accounting, and/or operational role.
• Strong diplomatic and communication skills, with the ability to develop buy-in across a wide range of stakeholders; ability to develop effective working relationships with all colleagues, external constituencies, and decision makers.
• Work with and effectively manage information of a confidential nature requiring considerable discretion, judgment, tact, and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated track record in developing and utilizing organizational systems with attention to detail, accuracy, timeliness, and record keeping.
• Analytical and critical thinking
• Teamwork, self-motivation, a proactive approach to work, flexibility, and exceptional interpersonal skills are essential.
• Regularly takes initiative to recognize and anticipate problems, and clearly communicate possible solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Meticulous writing and editing
• Demonstrated ability to utilize technology in process
• Computer skills: Expert proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and

Education

Bachelor’s degree required; business administration, finance or accounting preferred.

Purpose of Position

Retired professionals Recognizing that retired professionals represent an under-utilized human resource, the Community Impact Partners program aims to create positive outcomes for the San Diego community by matching retired experts with high impact community projects. This role is a part-time, one-year position.

We are seeking a retired professional to lead the Community Impact Partners program, fulfilling its mission of engaging retired older adults in addressing significant community issues, leveraging the skills and experience of retired professionals as partner, and changing the conversation around aging and workforce engagement.

This initiative was made possible through support from the Del Mar Healthcare Fund and inspired by related work taking place in Dayton Ohio. Please see the Del Mar Encore Fellows Initiative page at The Dayton Foundation for more information.

In this role you will be responsible for, but not limited to:

The position will manage the operational and programmatic functions for the initiative, including engaging host organizations, recruiting, interviewing, and supporting the Community Impact Partners, a group of approximately five retired professionals. The Program  Lead will coordinate the Community Impact Partners with the participation in community programs/activities, regularly convene and act as advocate for the program and its mission.

1. Convene a group of retired professionals.
2. Develop the Community Impact Partners operational plan and provide project oversight.
3. Manage a public-facing RFP process to identify community projects that will be assigned a Partner.
4. Manage the process of identifying Community Impact Partner candidates and matching them to appropriate community projects.
5. Ensure Community Impact Partners are supported through regular check-ins to facilitate planning and discussion.
6. Utilizing your community knowledge, experience, and communication skills, create documentation to support the communication of updates on program progress.

We are looking for:

The ideal candidate should be a retired professional who is skilled at inspiring and managing others and building relationships. This individual should possess operational acumen, comfort with public communication, and adaptability. A demonstrated interest in the San Diego community and a desire to work for the greater good are important to this role as well.

The Program Lead is responsible for overseeing the operational aspects of the program as well as the management and performance of the cohort of Community Impact Partners. It is important that candidates are passionate about advancing the conversation around aging and promoting older adults as experts who can help solve critical community issues. The Program Lead will be responsible for mobilizing other Community Impact Partners in accomplishing their assigned goals and objectives.

Qualifications

• At least 15 years’ job-related experience managing staff, leading community initiatives, leading an organization, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• The preferred qualified candidate is a retired professional.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required

Language Skills

• Ability to read, write and speak English fluently
• Other languages helpful but not required

The Community Impact Partner opportunity supported by a $50,000 annual stipend made possible by the Del Mar Healthcare Fund.

Please apply at jobs@sdfoundation.org and place Program Lead, Community Impact Partners in the subject line.

Attach your PDF Resume and a PDF cover letter.

The San Diego Regional and Policy Innovation Center (PIC) is seeking an experienced team member to coordinate and process all accounts payables. The selected candidate will be cross trained in the accounting department to learn other components of the accounting function. The Administrator will interface with internal staff, vendors, contractors, and organizations.

This opportunity offers:

• An opportunity to work with a collaborative team
• A convenient Point Loma location, green-certified professional office building with free parking
• Hybrid work opportunity
• A competitive pay, a comprehensive and generous benefit package

Essential duties and Principal responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

Principal Duties

Invoice Processing: Ensure all invoices and employee expense reimbursements are processed into Blackbaud Financial Edge (FE) completely, timely, and coded accurately.  Payments are made weekly via check and ACH. Record bank draft payments in FE. Maintain and update vendor files and invoices. Research and enhancing automation of invoice processing.

Credit Card Administrator: Process monthly credit card transactions ensuring correct coding, appropriate supporting documentation, and approval by supervisors. Upload all expenses in the FE system. Work with credit card company to issue, cancel, and modify individual cards. Maintain account and fund coding in the system as required.

Independent Contractors: Maintain records on file for independent contractors and other service contracts. Request updated agreements/contracts from appropriate staff as they expire or become obsolete. Prepare and send CA EDD forms for independent contractors. Manages W-9 forms, 1099 payment recording, file maintenance, reporting and annual IRS filing.

Other Accounting Department Assistance: Accounting cross training as required to be a backup for any other departmental needs, which may include journal entries and account reconciliations for audits. Preparation of journal entries for reclassification and year-end accruals; monthly reconciliation of accounts payable; and function as point of contact.

Administrative Assistance: Assist in other administrative tasks as assigned.

Qualifcations

• Minimum of two years of administrative and bookkeeping or basic accounting experience in a business environment with a strong emphasis in accounts payable processing.
• Experience in an environment with a high volume of accounts payable invoices, employee credit card transactions, and employee expense reports ensuring all appropriate IRS and internal guidelines are satisfied.
• Solid understanding of basic bookkeeping and/or basic accounting principles including understanding debits/credits and chart of accounts for coding.
• Demonstrated ability utilizing technology in process improvements.
• Demonstrated track record in developing and utilizing administrative organizational systems with attention to detail, timeliness and record keeping.
• Strong character and use of discretion with highly confidential information.
• Advanced proficiency with Windows and all MS Office applications, Outlook, Word, Excel, with a solid ability to set up and track information in spreadsheets using higher level Excel functioning.
• Strong data entry, data management skills to include query development and report generation.
• Regularly takes the initiative to recognize problems, and clearly explain potential solutions.
• Ability to work independently and successfully prioritize and coordinate multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Highly dependable team player with a positive and enthusiastic attitude.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment where adapting to change is necessary.
• Experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge preferred.

Education

• Associate or bachelor’s degree with booking/accounting emphasis preferred

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your PDF resume and PDF cover letter to sdfpicjobs@sdfoundation.org and please place “Accounts Payable Administrator” in the subject line.

The San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center is a 501(c)3 launched in September 2021 to serve the San Diego region. Our mission is to develop, test, and implement world-class research and policy-driven solutions to address San Diego’s most pressing challenges. Climate resilience, critical infrastructure, quality jobs, and housing affordability are challenges that require massive collective effort. We build partnerships to create cross-sector, multi-jurisdictional solutions. The San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center is a partnership between San Diego Foundation, the County of San Diego, and the world’s leading think tank – The Brookings Institution. Together with a network of national and regional partners, the Policy & Innovation Center engages government, corporations, and philanthropy to equitably enhance the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the San Diego region.

Purpose of Position

The Economic Analyst is a core member of the Research team. As an Economic Analyst, they are responsible for conducting original research and providing data collection and analysis for Research team initiatives.

The Economic Analyst offers strong verbal and written communication skills and creative problem solving, is detail-oriented and self-motivated, and is able to independently work across teams to support the research team and the organization.

Contributions and responsibilities of the Economic Analyst include but are not limited to:

• Collect, maintain, and analyze PIC’s public and proprietary databases.
• Assist with data collection, analysis, and writing for research reports, as well as with sharing the results of research projects that serve the San Diego Regional Policy and Innovation Center’s mission. The Economic Analyst will support the Ideas and Impact pillars of PIC’s core work and collaborate with other research team members to provide research and analysis to support grant applications and impact assessments on an as-needed basis.
• Support internal partners by providing demographic and economic data, synthesizing literature, and writing about trends in the San Diego region’s economy.
• Manage research inquiries from internal and external partners. Includes working with external vendors and partners, providing regular updates to the team, collecting feedback, and assisting with writing and editing final reports and other deliverables.
• Support efforts to attract and attain new grants or business-development opportunities by assisting with identifying new opportunities, grant writing, and other duties as needed.
• Work with the Chief Economist and other research team members to present research findings from reports and other publications through public speaking engagements, briefs, data visualizations, and other events, and through engaging the policy, political, academic, media, and advocacy communities in San Diego to inform the regional and national conversation.
• Collaborate with regional government departments, officials, community leaders, and other agencies to obtain and understand data, handling any confidential information in compliance with data owners’ policies, with respect for data subjects’ privacy, and in line with ethical data practices.

Supervision Received

• Reports to the Economist & Director of Research

Education and Experience

• Bachelors and 1 year of work experience in a relevant social science discipline or at least 5 years of comparable work experience in research and analysis

 Skills and Qualifications

• Research:
  • Ability to articulate how your work improves the communities we serve
  • Familiarity with public economic data sources
  • Strong statistical and analytical skills
  • Familiarity with economic principles, research design, and econometric methods
  • Outstanding critical-thinking skills, deep intellectual curiosity, creativity and ingenuity to solve problems
  • Working knowledge of statistical software such as R or Python
  • Passion for learning and relentless improvement
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Spreadsheet-based analysis
• Collaboration
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure, meet deadlines, and pay attention to detail
  • Ability to work independently and on a team; adaptable and willing to seek help when needed
  • Commitment to centering the voices of individuals in the communities we attempt to serve
  • Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communications skills
  • Cultural competency and emotional intelligence
  • Ability to form collaborations and deliver recommendations and solutions
  • Exceptional communicator with the ability to present concepts and research results in a clear, concise, and actionable manner
  • Comfort engaging directly with community stakeholders

The Policy & Innovation Center believes in pay equity. Salaries are commensurate with experience and responsibilities.

Compensation: $70,000 – $80,000 depending on experience

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your PDF resume and PDF cover letter to: sdfpicjobs@sdfoundation.org and please place Economic Analyst for the San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center in the subject line.

Purpose of Position

The Grant Writer & Resource Specialist is responsible for identifying, developing, drafting, and writing grant and/or service proposals to federal, state, and local governments, agencies, private foundations, corporations, and potential donors to bring resources to the region. The Specialist will also create and secure new verticals of revenue, develop operational best practices for revenue generation, grants, and service contracts.

This position works closely with the Director of Government Grants, and the Senior Director of Workforce Development.

Essential contributions and principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Write grant proposals in support of bringing funding into the San Diego region (focus is on non-San Diego funding, including federal and state).
• Expand Policy and Innovation Center’s traditional funding sources by developing and creating new and innovative funding sources and streams.
• Maintain high-level contacts with current and prospective
• Build federal, state, and local relationships to support development efforts.
• Engage external stakeholders that support internal funding goals and mission.
• Identify prospects through awards (including identifying new funding opportunities, partnership creation, budget preparation, drafting narratives, proposal preparation, and submission).
• Continually and proactively assess demographics, macroeconomics, and competitive market issues impacting the Policy & Innovation Center and develop
• Work with internal colleagues to build financial analyses and models to evaluate potential funding and impacts.
• Create a culture of positivity and success across the

Skills and Qualifications

• Critical thinker
• Proven ability to get and stay organized
• Detail oriented
• Ability to create processes to identify grants, track, and monitor through submission
• Ability to work autonomously
• Excellent writing skills
• Ability to digest and interpret complicated RFPs and respond accordingly.
• The ability to draw accurate conclusions from quantitative and qualitative data and programmatic goals and then identify and develop supporting grant proposals, MOUs, and
• Proven willingness to be accountable for the success of the organization’s vision through funding and resource development.
• Exceptional communicator with the ability to present concepts and strategic objectives in clear, concise, and fundable grant proposals.
• The ability to articulate how your work and grant funds improve and positively impact the communities and people we serve.
• Proven ability to present to prospective funders to support proposals.
• A communication style that emphasizes openness, collaboration, and
• Passion for learning and relentless
• Excellent relationship-building
• Exceptional knowledge of federal, state, and local government and philanthropic funding opportunities and proposal
• Ability to study and understand programs and funding requirements of organizations.
• Strong research skills and knowledge of information
• Multitasking, organizational, and time management
• Ability to handle confidential matters with the utmost
• Comfortable with Excel, and Microsoft
• Federal or state relationships preferred but not required 

Supervision Received

•  VP, Chief Policy & Strategy Officer.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, creative writing, or a related area (master’s degree preferred).
• A minimum of five years’ experience of successful progression in grant writing at the federal, state, and local government/agency level and expertise obtaining grants from large private foundations valued.
• A record of successful, significant grants.

Anticipated starting salary: $80,000

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your PDF resume and PDF cover letter to sdfpicjobs@sdfoundation.org and place Grant Writer & Resource Specialist in the subject line.

About the Organization

The San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center (SDRPIC) is a 501(c)3 launched in September 2021 as a partnership between the San Diego Foundation, County of San Diego and the Brookings Institution to serve the San Diego region. Our mission is to develop, test, and implement world-class research and policy-driven solutions to address San Diego’s most pressing challenges. We build partnerships to create cross-sector, multi-jurisdictional solutions.

About The Role

The Intern will work for up to 16 hours per week to support projects, collaborate on grant applications, conduct desk research and coordinate outreach for the SDRPIC innovation team. The internship is expected to last 6 months.

The intern will support and report to SDRPIC’s Director of Innovation and join an interdisciplinary team, including a chief policy and strategy officer, director of government grants, officers of engagement and government relations, and an engineer.

SDRPIC projects are designed to be iterative, reacting to changing political, economic, and environmental opportunities. As an SDRPIC team member, on any given day, you should be comfortable engaging municipal staff and leaders, strategizing policy and research, and working independently as well as collaboratively.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Intern’s work includes areas described below and other duties as assigned and commensurate with the Intern’s expertise. Some of the role can be crafted based on learning and career development goals.

• Conducts desk research, reads, analyzes and summarizes regional news on select policy issues such as green infrastructure and decarbonization.
• Creates tables, graphs, and other data visualizations.
• Supports grant writing.
• Supports policy development.
• Edits and updates high-quality drafts of working papers and stakeholder presentations.
• Summarizes and analyzes material from conferences, government documents, publications, databases.
• Corresponds and schedules meetings with San Diego municipalities, community organizations, technology entrepreneurs, and internal SDRPIC team members.
• Other administrative duties as assigned. 

Qualifications and Skills

• Commitment to the mission of SDRPIC.
• Interest in working on critical regional problems and supporting underestimated communities.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to produce quality work both independently and collaboratively.
• A style that emphasizes openness, innovation, and communication.
• Comfort in an iterative, innovative, and fast-paced environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Asana (or similar project management tools).
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Cultural competency and emotional intelligence.
• Coursework or training in policy, business, environmental science or related.
• Work experience in government, business, community development, or related.

The starting hourly rate is $25.00.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your PDF resume and PDF cover letter to sdfpicjobs@sdfoundation.org and place Intern in the subject line.