_**About the Ruth Nelson Family Foundation**_
The Ruth Nelson Family Foundation is a private, independent grantmaking organization dedicated to advancing transformative philanthropy in Oklahoma, with a focus on Tulsa County.
Established in 1984 and guided by the legacy of Ruth Nelson, a devoted social activist and philanthropist, the Foundation has supported critical areas of need, including healthcare for underserved populations, women’s health, education, the arts, and end-of-life care. With a commitment to equity, humility, and integrity, the Foundation partners with nonprofit organizations to address gaps in services and make a lasting impact.
As we build our team and infrastructure, we are looking for a strategic and mission-aligned Program Director to guide the development and implementation of the Foundation’s programmatic strategy. This is a unique opportunity to shape a philanthropic strategy from the ground up.
**Position Summary**
The Program Director will be responsible for developing and implementing RNFF’s program strategy, managing a growing portfolio of grants, and guiding a small program team toward operational and impact excellence. This individual will serve as a key thought partner to the Executive Director and will play a central role in leveraging the Foundation’s resources to catalyze meaningful, systemic change. The Program Director will also have deep knowledge of the Tulsa County philanthropic and nonprofit community.
**Key Responsibilities**
📌 **_Strategy Development_**
- Guide the design and evolution of RNFF’s programmatic strategies in alignment with the Foundation’s mission and values.
- Translate broad vision into clear priorities, frameworks, and funding approaches.
- Monitor trends and opportunities in the Foundation’s issue areas to ensure relevance, responsiveness, and innovation.
⚙️ _**Operational Excellence**_
- Establish and refine internal processes to ensure efficient and effective grantmaking, documentation, and program execution.
- Develop systems for learning, reflection, and data-informed decision-making.
- Set and monitor annual goals and performance indicators for the program team.
💸 _**Grants Portfolio Management**_
- Oversee the lifecycle of all program grants, from sourcing and due diligence to reporting and evaluation.
- Ensure grantee relationships are rooted in trust, transparency, and shared learning.
- Regularly assess portfolio performance, identifying gaps, successes, and opportunities for greater impact.
👥 _**Staff Supervision & Team Leadership**_
- Manage and mentor program staff, fostering a supportive, accountable, and high-performing team culture.
- Provide leadership development opportunities and create a space for staff to grow and thrive.
- Support cross-team collaboration with grants administration, communications, and operations.
🤝 _**Relationship-Building & Representation**_
- Cultivate strong relationships with nonprofit leaders, funder peers, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
- Represent RNFF at conferences, events, and collaborative tables, elevating the Foundation’s presence and voice.
- Act as a connector and convener within and beyond the Foundation’s priority issue areas.
🎯 _**Issue Area Expertise**_
- Provide strategic insight on the issues facing Tulsa County and how the Foundation can leverage solutions via grantmaking.
- Bring deep knowledge and curiosity about the Foundation’s core areas of investment.
- Stay abreast of research, innovations, and best practices relevant to the Foundation’s mission.
- Serve as a resource to the Executive Director and Trustees on emerging trends, risks, and opportunities.
💥 _**Strategic Use of Resources**_
- Identify high-leverage opportunities to use RNFF’s dollars, influence, and partnerships to drive systemic change.
- Recommend and design new initiatives, collaborations, and special projects that extend the Foundation’s reach.
- Collaborate with finance and grants management to ensure thoughtful, equitable, and compliant allocation of funds.
**Qualifications**
- 7–10 years’ experience in philanthropy, nonprofit, or public sector leadership position.
- Proven success in developing and implementing strategies, managing community partnerships, and leading high-performing teams.
- Deep knowledge of at Tulsa community issues, opportunities, and philanthropy.
- Strong leadership, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
- Exceptional organizational, analytical, and written communication abilities.
- A collaborative, humble, and equity-driven approach to leadership.
**Preferred Qualifications**
- Experience with trust-based or participatory grantmaking models.
- Background in nonprofit program evaluation.
- Understanding of systems-change work.
- Familiarity with private foundation operations, compliance, and governance.
- Knowledge of affordable housing policy & grantmaking
_**We love working with people who are:**_
- Self-directed and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done
- Team players who collaborate with coworkers and community partners
- Creative, curious, and engage in continuous learning
- Passionate about issues of social, economic, and racial justice
- Active listeners
- Positive and have a great sense of humor
_**Compensation & Benefits**_
- Salary: $150,000-$210,000 annually, commensurate with experience
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and alignment with RNFF’s Application Portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If you need technical assistance, please reach out to rnff@ruthnelsonfamilyfoundation.org
The Ruth Nelson Family Foundation is a private, independent grantmaking organization dedicated to advancing transformative philanthropy in Oklahoma, with a focus on Tulsa County.
Established in 1984 and guided by the legacy of Ruth Nelson, a devoted social activist and philanthropist, the Foundation has supported critical areas of need, including healthcare for underserved populations, women’s health, education, the arts, and end-of-life care. With a commitment to equity, humility, and integrity, the Foundation partners with nonprofit organizations to address gaps in services and make a lasting impact.
As we build our team and infrastructure, we are looking for a strategic and mission-aligned Program Director to guide the development and implementation of the Foundation’s programmatic strategy. This is a unique opportunity to shape a philanthropic strategy from the ground up.
**Position Summary**
The Program Director will be responsible for developing and implementing RNFF’s program strategy, managing a growing portfolio of grants, and guiding a small program team toward operational and impact excellence. This individual will serve as a key thought partner to the Executive Director and will play a central role in leveraging the Foundation’s resources to catalyze meaningful, systemic change. The Program Director will also have deep knowledge of the Tulsa County philanthropic and nonprofit community.
**Key Responsibilities**
📌 **_Strategy Development_**
- Guide the design and evolution of RNFF’s programmatic strategies in alignment with the Foundation’s mission and values.
- Translate broad vision into clear priorities, frameworks, and funding approaches.
- Monitor trends and opportunities in the Foundation’s issue areas to ensure relevance, responsiveness, and innovation.
⚙️ _**Operational Excellence**_
- Establish and refine internal processes to ensure efficient and effective grantmaking, documentation, and program execution.
- Develop systems for learning, reflection, and data-informed decision-making.
- Set and monitor annual goals and performance indicators for the program team.
💸 _**Grants Portfolio Management**_
- Oversee the lifecycle of all program grants, from sourcing and due diligence to reporting and evaluation.
- Ensure grantee relationships are rooted in trust, transparency, and shared learning.
- Regularly assess portfolio performance, identifying gaps, successes, and opportunities for greater impact.
👥 _**Staff Supervision & Team Leadership**_
- Manage and mentor program staff, fostering a supportive, accountable, and high-performing team culture.
- Provide leadership development opportunities and create a space for staff to grow and thrive.
- Support cross-team collaboration with grants administration, communications, and operations.
🤝 _**Relationship-Building & Representation**_
- Cultivate strong relationships with nonprofit leaders, funder peers, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
- Represent RNFF at conferences, events, and collaborative tables, elevating the Foundation’s presence and voice.
- Act as a connector and convener within and beyond the Foundation’s priority issue areas.
🎯 _**Issue Area Expertise**_
- Provide strategic insight on the issues facing Tulsa County and how the Foundation can leverage solutions via grantmaking.
- Bring deep knowledge and curiosity about the Foundation’s core areas of investment.
- Stay abreast of research, innovations, and best practices relevant to the Foundation’s mission.
- Serve as a resource to the Executive Director and Trustees on emerging trends, risks, and opportunities.
💥 _**Strategic Use of Resources**_
- Identify high-leverage opportunities to use RNFF’s dollars, influence, and partnerships to drive systemic change.
- Recommend and design new initiatives, collaborations, and special projects that extend the Foundation’s reach.
- Collaborate with finance and grants management to ensure thoughtful, equitable, and compliant allocation of funds.
**Qualifications**
- 7–10 years’ experience in philanthropy, nonprofit, or public sector leadership position.
- Proven success in developing and implementing strategies, managing community partnerships, and leading high-performing teams.
- Deep knowledge of at Tulsa community issues, opportunities, and philanthropy.
- Strong leadership, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
- Exceptional organizational, analytical, and written communication abilities.
- A collaborative, humble, and equity-driven approach to leadership.
**Preferred Qualifications**
- Experience with trust-based or participatory grantmaking models.
- Background in nonprofit program evaluation.
- Understanding of systems-change work.
- Familiarity with private foundation operations, compliance, and governance.
- Knowledge of affordable housing policy & grantmaking
_**We love working with people who are:**_
- Self-directed and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done
- Team players who collaborate with coworkers and community partners
- Creative, curious, and engage in continuous learning
- Passionate about issues of social, economic, and racial justice
- Active listeners
- Positive and have a great sense of humor
_**Compensation & Benefits**_
- Salary: $150,000-$210,000 annually, commensurate with experience
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and alignment with RNFF’s Application Portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If you need technical assistance, please reach out to rnff@ruthnelsonfamilyfoundation.org