Program Officer CWF

This is an exciting time to join The California Wellness Foundation as we create new pathways for growth within our programs department. We are currently seeking three creative, innovative and visionary thought partners to accelerate the equitable distribution of the foundation’s resources by adding depth to our extraordinary programs team. Generalists with program management experience in the nonprofit, philanthropic, government and/or private sectors;

a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); and experience across one or more of the strategic priorities within our Advancing Wellness grantmaking strategy are preferred. Of the three new program officer positions, one will be based in the Humboldt or Redding areas of Northern California, and will be filled by a candidate with deep connections to issues impacting the lives of rural Californians (although the role will not focus solely on rural issues).

The other two positions will be based in Los Angeles or Oakland.

The California Wellness Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 1992 with a mission to protect and improve the health and wellness of the people of California. As one of the largest health-focused foundations in California, with approximately $1 billion in assets, Cal Wellness is a nationally recognized leader for its strategic core operating support for grantees; public policy grantmaking;

and a focus on violence as a public health issue. It is Cal Wellness’ desire to promote equity and level the playing field so that everyone has access to good-paying jobs, healthy and safe neighborhoods, and quality health care services. The Foundation’s current Advancing Wellness grantmaking strategy includes three interrelated portfolios:
Bridging the Gaps in Access and Quality Care;
Promoting Healthy and Safe Neighborhoods; and Expanding Education and Employment Pathways. In addition, the foundation is proud of its $15 million initiative focused on women of color and its recent investments in the area of immigration. Since its founding, Cal Wellness has awarded nearly 9,000 grants totaling more than $1 billion. Its annual operating budget is approximately $13M, and its annual grantmaking is approximately $37M.

In addition, Cal Wellness awards approximately $2 million in Program Related Investments (PRIs) each year.

As the foundation looks to the future, it is pursuing new and innovative strategies beyond its core grantmaking to advance its mission, including using the foundation’s voice to speak out on critical issues that affect health and wellness, and investing $50 million in mission related investments (MRIs).

Cal Wellness has a diverse staff of approximately 40 located in our Los Angeles and Oakland offices and a diverse 11-member Board located throughout the state of California. The Foundation’s work underscores a belief that wellness requires social justice, a deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and sustained efforts to eliminate systemic barriers that prevent access to health care, education, employment and safety.

The Program Officers will be part of a 14-member department headed by the Vice President of Programs who reports to the CEO. Each program officer will report to a seasoned Program Director and will have an opportunity to rotate portfolio assignments every few years. The programs team is supported by a cohort of program coordinators and the director of program operations.

Program officers will interact with the CEO, the executive management team and the board of directors.

The ideal candidates will be aligned with our mission and values; possess strong program management, strategic and analytical skills; demonstrate exceptional communications and relationship-building aptitude to respectfully develop genuine connections with grantees and peer funders; and embody, through lived experience, applying a DEI lens to our work.

• Live our Core Values:
  Respect, Integrity, Accountability, Equity, Stewardship, Excellence, Learning, and Trust.
• Drive Towards Innovation:
  Be bold. Experiment and learn from both successes and…