The Volgenau Foundation | Program Officer

About The Volgenau Foundation

The Volgenau Foundation is a family foundation rooted in a longstanding commitment to honesty and service. Established by Ernst and Sara Volgenau and their three daughters, Lisa, Lauren, and Jennifer, the Foundation supports work in conservation, wildlife, education, and classical music. Today, the Foundation provides more than $14 million in support each year to organizations across the United States. Its largest area of grantmaking is conservation, including land and water conservation, wildlife protection, coexistence and connectivity, and conservation and STEM education. The Foundation also supports youth engagement in classical music.

The Volgenau family has always been closely connected to the work it supports. The sisters have spent years building relationships with grantees, participating in site visits and convenings, and helping guide the Foundation's program work. As the Foundation evolves and the next generation of family members becomes more involved, it is building additional staff capacity while preserving the collaborative, relationship-centered approach that has shaped its philanthropy.

Learn more about The Volgenau Foundation at volgenaufoundation.org.

About the Position

The Volgenau Foundation is hiring its first non-family Program Officer. This new role builds on, rather than replaces, the years of hands-on program leadership and grantee relationships developed by members of the Volgenau family. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Officer will work closely with the Foundation & Grants Administrator and the Grants Committee to manage grantee relationships, evaluate grants and outcomes, prepare recommendations, and help the Foundation continue strengthening how it learns from and assesses its grantmaking. The right person will be thoughtful, curious, and comfortable learning from the expertise already within the Foundation while bringing sound judgment and a fresh perspective to the work.

The Opportunity

This is a distinctive opportunity to join The Volgenau Foundation at an important point in its evolution and help shape the next chapter of its philanthropy. The Program Officer will build on years of trusted grantee relationships while staying close to the work: learning from nonprofit leaders, scientists, practitioners, family members, and peer funders and seeing firsthand what thoughtful philanthropy can make possible. With most of the portfolio focused on conservation, the role offers the chance to deepen expertise while contributing across education and classical music. For someone curious, relationship-driven, and motivated by meaningful work, it offers unusual access, autonomy, and the chance to make a lasting contribution to a respected foundation.

Key Responsibilities

Build and manage strong relationships with assigned grantees throughout the grant lifecycle, including applications, reporting, ongoing communication, and renewal discussions.

Review proposals, budgets, reports, and other materials and develop clear, thoughtful grant recommendations for the Executive Director and Grants Committee.

Participate in grantee meetings, interim reporting conversations, and site visits to deepen understanding of the work and its impact.

Help refine grantmaking criteria and practical approaches for evaluating individual grants and learning across the broader portfolio.

Prepare concise written summaries, recommendations, and program updates for the Executive Director, Grants Committee, and board.

Stay informed about trends and emerging issues in the Foundation's areas of interest, and bring relevant opportunities forward for discussion.

Represent the Foundation at selected affinity groups, funder collaboratives, convenings, and conferences.

Partner with the Foundation & Grants Administrator to maintain accurate program and grantee information in the grants-management system and support effective tracking and reporting.

Qualifications

3–5 years of relevant professional experience in philanthropy, nonprofit program work, foundation relations, institutional fundraising, grantmaking, conservation, or a related mission-driven field. Direct foundation experience is not required.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex information and communicate clearly with a variety of audiences.

High emotional intelligence and sound judgment, including the maturity, diplomacy, and self-awareness to work effectively with an engaged family, board members, colleagues, grantees, and external partners.

Strong analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate information, identify important questions, consider different perspectives, and reach thoughtful conclusions.

Strong organizational and project-management skills, with demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and follow through consistently.

Demonstrated ability to develop productive professional relationships with funders, nonprofit leaders, partners, or other external stakeholders.

Intellectual curiosity and learning agility, with the ability to develop knowledge of new and complex subject areas and a genuine interest in environmental conservation and the Foundation’s broader areas of giving.

Brings warmth, perspective, and a sense of humor, with the ability to stay grounded, not take themselves too seriously, and contribute positively to a small, collaborative team.

Preferred but not Required

Experience in environmental conservation, wildlife protection, biodiversity, land or water conservation, environmental education, or a related field.

Experience working for or closely with a family foundation.

Previous grantmaking, Program Officer, grants management, foundation relations, or nonprofit impact-evaluation experience.

Experience with grant-management systems, impact assessment, or the development of grant criteria and evaluation approaches.

A master's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

Work Environment and Travel

The Foundation currently operates in a hybrid environment with an office in McLean, Virginia, near Tysons Corner. As of now, staff spend one day per week together in the office and work the remainder of the time remotely. The Foundation's longer-term office model may continue to evolve.

The Program Officer should expect periodic travel within the United States for grantee site visits, meetings, funder gatherings, and conferences.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $120,000 -$145,000, commensurate with experience

401(k) plan with an employer match of up to 4%, with traditional and Roth contribution options.

Unlimited paid time off, coordinated in advance with the Executive Director.

Reimbursement of approved business travel expenses.

Health coverage: The Foundation is committed to ensuring the successful candidate is able to obtain health insurance coverage and will provide financial support toward that coverage through a stipend or comparable arrangement.

To Apply

The Volgenau Foundation has retained the services of ThinkingAhead Executive Search’s Nonprofit Division to serve as our recruitment partner. If you are qualified, please apply and provide a cover letter and resume.

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Jessica Martinez                                                Kay Linder

Partner, Nonprofit                                               Partner, Nonprofit

ThinkingAhead Executive Search                      ThinkingAhead Executive Search

jmartinez@thinkingahead.com                           klinder@thinkingahead.com