The Arcus Foundation is seeking a Program Officer, Capacity Building, to join our New York office. Reporting to the Vice President of Social Justice, this role will lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive strategy for capacity-building for Arcus’ grantee partners. Responsibilities include managing the process for capacity-building project grants, assessing grantee needs, and coordinating with technical assistance providers to deliver tailored support.


About Arcus Foundation

Founded in 2000, the Arcus Foundation is a private grantmaking institution dedicated to the idea that people can live in harmony with one another and the natural world. Arcus’ work is based on the belief that respect for diversity among peoples and in nature is essential to a positive future for our planet and all its inhabitants. Arcus works with experts and advocates for change to ensure that LGBTQ people and our fellow apes thrive in a world where social and environmental justice are a reality. The Foundation works globally and has offices in New York City and Cambridge, United Kingdom.

The Arcus Foundation staff and Board of Directors are a diverse group, reflecting the diversity inherent in the world the Foundation’s work supports. The Foundation works globally to support partners in their pursuit of lasting change. The mission is driven by the vision of Arcus’ founder, Jon Stryker, and by a shared dedication to the emergent global human rights and conservation movements.

With a deep commitment to integrity and humility, the leadership and staff of the Arcus Foundation hold one another accountable for implementing the Arcus mission. This includes practicing shared leadership and recognizing, celebrating, and taking collective ownership of Arcus’ success. Because a strong work ethic and responsible decision-making should exist at all levels of leadership, the Arcus Foundation applies fact-based decision-making and encourages all staff to proactively ‘course-correct,’ to efficiently manage resources so that the movements Arcus serves will benefit.

To learn more, visit www.arcusfoundation.org. 


‍What It’s Like to Work at Arcus Foundation

Arcus’ passionate and diverse staff is comprised of dedicated individuals of varying gender identities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and abilities, and we aim to prioritize equity and inclusion throughout the organization and encourage meaningful interactions between colleagues.

We promote a flexible working environment that allows for work-life balance, with opportunities for hybrid and flexible work schedules. Our newly built NYC office, located in Midtown Manhattan, was designed to be a place we can feel safe, and work effectively and collaboratively, bringing energy, inspiration, commitment, and deep learning to our mission.


‍Position Description

The Capacity Building Program Officer will be an experienced, thoughtful grantmaker working under the direction of the Vice President, Social Justice, and in close partnership with the International and U.S. Program Directors. In this role, the Program Officer will design and implement initiatives that strengthen grantee partners across both portfolios.

As a member of a small, highly collaborative team, the Program Officer is expected to work in an integrated way with colleagues across the Social Justice Program and in partnership with other departments throughout the Foundation. While not responsible for overall program strategy, the Program Officer leads complementary grantmaking within capacity building and is charged with developing, implementing, and adapting creative approaches to enhance the organizational strength and resilience of Arcus grantees.

Implementation of the Social Justice strategy requires advancing the Foundation’s three core roles: strategic grantmaking, listening and learning, and field leadership. This work must be carried out in ways that are responsive to grantee priorities, attuned to power dynamics, and consistent with Arcus’s vision of centering organizational and leadership strengths to build powerful, resilient movements.


‍Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Arcus grantees to assess organizational needs and design strategies that strengthen stability and resilience;
• Develop and implement creative, responsive approaches to capacity building that enhance organizational effectiveness;
• Design and manage a learning and evaluation framework for capacity-building grants;
• Engage with peer foundations and philanthropic partners to foster a community of practice and shared learning;
• Build and maintain a strong network of technical service providers and consultants in the U.S. and internationally; and
• Travel regularly for convenings and site visits to maintain close connections with grantees and the broader field.

Qualifications and Competencies

• 3–5 years of professional grantmaking experience, including proposal evaluation, grantee selection, due diligence, and grant administration;
• Deep knowledge of LGBTQ movements in the United States and internationally;
• Experience providing capacity-building support, particularly in organizational development, compliance, and financial resilience, with the ability to identify grantee needs and connect them with appropriate service providers;
• Spanish language fluency strongly preferred;
• Proven ability to build strong, trust-based relationships grounded in equity and respect;
• Excellent communication, project management, and database skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities; and
• Comfortable with public speaking, networking, and engaging with the field.

Please ensure that your cover letter discusses each of these qualifications.‍Compensation

The Capacity Building Program Officer role is a full-time position with a 40-hour workweek, offering an annual salary of $115,000–$130,000. In addition to salary, Arcus Foundation offers a robust benefits package that includes:

Employer contributed Medical, Vision, and Dental health insurance, which includes trans-inclusive healthcare coverage;

• Non-elective retirement plan with generous employer contribution and matches;
• 20 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) each calendar year, increasing to 25 days after your third year and 30 days after your fourth year; 7 sick days, 12 holidays, and 1 floating holiday;
• 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave; and
• Hybrid work schedule and flexible working practices.

Location and Work Authorization

The Capacity Building Program Officer position is based out of our New York City office. Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates who are authorized to accept employment in the United States.


Arcus staff work on a hybrid schedule of three days in-office (Tuesday–Thursday), with the option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. The general office hours are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.


On occasion, you may be asked to travel domestically/internationally for site visits, conferences and/or foundation gatherings and events approximately 10–15 percent of the time.


Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the United States.


The Arcus Foundation is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. The Arcus Foundation prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants for employment because of the individual’s race or color, religion or creed, immigrant, citizenship or non-citizen status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, intersex status, sexual and reproductive health decisions or decision making (of employees or their dependents), disability, marital status, familial status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, pre-employment arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Arcus Foundation also considers for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state, and local law.