Program Coordinator

SUMMARY

Northwest Health Foundation (NWHF) is seeking a Program Coordinator to join our team of spirited and dedicated staff to support the mission of the foundation and move funding and resources into communities. 

This full-time position is based in Portland, Oregon and will require occasional weekends, evenings and overnight travel. NWHF employees work a mix of on and off site with the expectation of 40-70% of staff time being spent in person at our offices in Chinatown. 

ABOUT NWHF

At NWHF, we believe in a future where everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy and successful life, however they define health and success. But too often, our systems and institutions deny opportunity based on race, geography, disability and other aspects of identity. Race is the largest factor of bias in the US, and racism contributes significantly to poor health. That’s why we at NWHF support Black, Indigenous and other communities of color in Oregon and SW Washington to build power – to hold elected office and sit at decision-making tables throughout our region, to uplift disabled BIPOC leaders, to reduce incarceration and racial disparities in the criminal legal system and more. When BIPOC communities have power, they can change systems and institutions to repair historic and current wrongs and create a future where everyone and every community thrives.

The primary ways we fulfill our mission are: funding and resourcing BIPOC & cross-racial organizations; using institutional influence to change policies, structures and norms across government and civil society; investing in power-building infrastructure that BIPOC & cross-racial organizations need; and providing actionable information in service to BIPOC & cross-racial organizations and partners.

NWHF believes that our staff and board should reflect the communities we serve. We also believe that our diverse cultural, linguistic and community identities make our organization stronger, smarter and more effective. We are a dynamic staff of nine with a wide range of identities and lived experiences. Our staff actively participate in our community, including serving on boards, raising families and otherwise working to make our region a better place outside the workday. We are governed by engaged and thoughtful boards of directors. 

NWHF is committed to an equitable and inclusive workplace and we provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, sex, gender, disability, genetic information, military service, marital status or parental status. We strongly encourage candidates from Black, Native American/Indigenous and other communities of color, immigrant, refugee, bilingual, and multicultural individuals; d/Deaf people and people with disabilities; LGBTQIA+ and gender expansive people; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

More information about NWHF can be found at http://northwesthealth.org/

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Coordinator will be an integral member of the Program team, working closely with the Programs Manager and the Grants & Data Manager. This position provides essential support across all program areas, including Civic Health, Advancing Disability Justice and Justice Reinvestment Equity Program (JREP), which is winding down in mid-2026.

The Program Coordinator will play a key role in keeping program and grantmaking activities on track, coordinating logistics for convenings and events and providing responsive support to current and prospective grantees. This includes answering questions, guiding applicants through funding opportunities and helping ensure a smooth experience with NWHF. This role requires strong project management, excellent writing and communication skills, attention to detail and a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management and Grantmaking Support

• Develop systems and procedures to keep program activities on track and successful. Provide input and advice on streamlining and improving program and grant processes.
• Support the Program team in developing requests for proposals, including tracking timelines and tasks, drafting materials and coordinating with colleagues to publish via our website, email and our Grantee Portal.
• Coordinate and participate in grant proposal reviews, including organizing materials and tracking reviewer feedback. Support the Programs Manager in preparing funding recommendations by summarizing insights from proposals and drafting memos to inform decision-making.
• Draft memos, summaries and presentations for diverse audiences, including board members, community partners and grantees.
• Review grantee reports in partnership with the program team and follow up with grantees when appropriate.
• Prepare and submit payment requests for invoices, stipends, reimbursements and other program-related expenses.
• Manage and track administrative aspects of NWHF fundraising activities, including coordinating the submission of grant proposals, reports, financials and required documentation to partner funders.
• Coordinate program team activities, including scheduling meetings and retreats, managing calendars, tracking key priorities and supporting effective communication and follow-up across the team.

Event Planning and Logistics

• Coordinate program meetings, convenings, trainings, site visits and other events, including vendor contracts, travel, lodging, agendas and logistics.
• Participate in site visits with grantees and program partners as needed, supporting planning and documentation.
• Serve as a key point of contact for event-related questions from staff, grantees and external partners.
• Manage deadlines and timelines to help events stay on track, anticipate needs and proactively problem solve.
• Support on-site event tasks as needed, including occasional evenings, travel and overnight stays.
• Collaborate with the Program team to ensure that convenings and events reflect NWHF’s commitment to equity and community engagement priorities.

Grantee Support and Communications

• Provide technical assistance to grant applicants regarding funding opportunities, proposal guidelines, reporting requirements and more.
• Serve as a first point of contact for prospective grantees reaching out about NWHF programs.
• Support communication with NWHF’s grantee community through newsletters, email updates, office hours and other channels.
• Conduct outreach, as assigned, to learn more about particular organizations or projects that might align with NWHF’s grantmaking priorities.

Organizational Culture and Learning 

• Promote a positive workplace culture of collaboration, innovation and respect in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment.
• Contribute one’s own ideas, perspectives and lived experiences to the culture of NWHF.
• Assume other responsibilities and explore new opportunities that arise with the evolving needs and aspirations of NWHF.
• Engage actively in community life in the region.
• Engage meaningfully in equity trainings.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

These qualifications describe the primary experiences and skills needed in this position, but it is not required that you have all of them right now. If you like to learn and grow, and have most of these, we encourage you to apply.

• Demonstrated understanding and willingness to advance NWHF’s mission and commitment to equity and guiding principles.
• Ability to authentically connect NWHF’s initiatives and aspirations with one’s own personal experiences.
• A demonstrated understanding of the foundational role that racism, ableism, sexism, and other forms of bias and oppression play in perpetuating inequity.
• Demonstrated experience in the public or nonprofit sector, preferably in a capacity that involves deep partnerships with place- and/or identity-based communities.
• A deep commitment to working in a diverse and inclusive work environment that places a high value on equity, particularly racial equity.
• Demonstrated experience and a deep commitment to working with Black, Native American/Indigenous and other communities of color across Oregon and SW Washington. 
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with impeccable follow through, attention to details and ability to complete projects on schedule.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience conveying complex information in clear and accessible language.
• Solutions-oriented, proactive and able to anticipate challenges and propose alternative paths.
• Outstanding judgment in decision making and diplomacy and discretion in working with community partners and colleagues.
• Demonstrated event planning experience with a deep understanding of the components that go into creating successful, inclusive and accessible events.
• Demonstrated experience managing vendors and contractors and effectively helping move people through processes in a friendly, inclusive way.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Suite and ability to adapt to new technologies.
• Experience using database systems to track projects, programs, and relationships.
• Ability to attend and interest in meetings and events throughout Oregon and SW Washington outside of core business hours. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be frequently expected to use/operate a computer. The employee is frequently required to ascertain visual information and, whether through talking and hearing or assistive devices, to communicate in-person, by video and by phone.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet but can be bustling with large meetings. We strive to maintain a fragrance-free office.

The role also requires travel throughout Oregon and SW Washington outside of core business hours. This includes approximately 10–14 overnights per year for grantee convenings and site visits, and additional travel for retreats and conferences.

COMPENSATION

The full salary range for this position is $85,000 - $95,000. However, the typical starting range is $85,000 - $90,000 depending on experience, with opportunities for pay increases as mastery of the role is demonstrated over time.

A discussion about anticipated compensation and NWHF's compensation philosophy will be shared with finalist candidates before a job offer is presented.

Excellent benefits package with full medical and dental insurance for the employee and dependent children, flexible spending account (health care and dependent care), generous retirement contribution, long-term disability and life insurance, transportation stipend, paid family and medical leave, considerable PTO and holiday leave, and support for ongoing professional development.