Program Director, Press Forward Chicago

Press Forward Chicago is a new grantmaking initiative intended to support the reimagination, revitalization, and rapid development of the Local News ecosystem in the United States. Administered by The Chicago Community Trust ("Trust") and designed in partnership with local journalism donors and practitioners, the goal of this portfolio is to help catalyze a local news renaissance that will reshape the local news landscape and re-center local journalism as a force for community cohesion, civic participation, and government accountability. Press Forward aims to catalyze innovative solutions to the challenges facing local news, amplify impactful journalism practices, and address the systemic inequities in media coverage and journalistic processes to ensure residents have access to relevant, credible, and trusted information. This work is part of a broader multi-funder collaborative initiative, co-created and co-led by The Chicago Community Trust, which has as its goal to:

• Foster a more equitable news ecosystem that represents and serves the diverse tapestry of our city's population;
• Scale proven strategies and innovations that address the challenges of today's media environment; and
• Revitalize the local news infrastructure, ensuring robust reporting on critical issues facing Chicago's communities.
• Seed and advance local and state public policy ideas and interventions that
  provide long lasting support for local journalism.

The Program Director will lead the team on all aspects of the strategy's grantmaking to ensure its success. They will apply their expertise of the journalism industry and specifically the local news landscape to develop and implement the grantmaking strategy. The successful candidate will have substantial experience and expertise in the journalism sector, specifically in local news, and will have a mature understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the journalism industry.

The specific lifecycle of each grantmaking strategy will vary and includes evaluation, periodic review, and refinement. The Press Forward program has been Board-approved for an initial period of at least 5 years, with the possibility of an extension.

Position Responsibilities

• Participate in the design, implementation, and adaptation of grantmaking strategies and in planning future program strategies
• Maintain active and collaborative relationships with peer funders, fiscal sponsors, and others in the field
• Identify prospective grant recipients and work with prospective grantees to develop proposals that advance grantmaking strategies
• Assist in fundraising for additional resources for the initiative as necessary.
• Develop a communications, reporting, and accountability structure to communicate the purpose of Press Forward for multiple audiences and to report on its progress.
• Keep abreast of current events, developments, and issues in the field to maintain a balanced and objective perspective and approach to grantmaking
• Develop an enduring Press Forward model for the Chicago market that can be integrated into Chicago's ecosystem.
• Build and sustain relationships with colleagues across the Foundation, and with leaders, actors, and organizations in relevant fields, including the public and commercial sectors
• Represent the Foundation at conferences and other public events, including as a speaker or panel participant

Position Qualifications:

• 8 to 10 years' experience working in journalism, media, or adjacent fields; previous grantmaking experience is desirable
• Master's degree in journalism, business, public policy or a related field. Exceptional candidates with seven years of experience without a master's degree will also be considered
• Deep knowledge of the history, evolution, and current state of the journalism sector; a strong grasp of relevant empirical research and theoretical literature; and working knowledge of relevant government policies and programs
• Profound understanding, based on "on the ground" experience, of the challenges facing local news, information ecosystems, and the dynamics of public policies and current thinking relevant to the work
• Able to make effective connections among research, policy, and practice and to work productively with government, corporate, community-based organizations, and academic institutions.
• A well-developed network of relationships and deep understanding of the Chicago press and journalism ecosystems
• Comfort and competency with working through adaptive challenges where solutions are not yet developed
• Ability to strengthen ideas and build momentum by leveraging existing programs/initiatives, resources, structures and policies
• Experience advancing policy and or structural changes in the public or private sectors
• Strong orientation and commitment to racial equity, equitable results, and community voice
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent analytical and communications skills, including writing and public speaking
• Self-confident, collegial, and diplomatic, with an appreciation of the role of a grantmaking institution
• Computer literate, with a high level of comfort with new applications
• Ability to collaboratively lead through networking, facilitating, and problem-solving

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Trust is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at careers@cct.org if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are fundamental to achieving our impact

The Chicago Community Trust's vision is a Chicago region where equity, opportunity, and prosperity abound. We acknowledge the specific role discrimination and systemic barriers based on race, ethnicity, and other varied identities and differences have played in limiting opportunities for too many. A commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is at the core of who we are, the decisions we make, and the actions we take in our work to strengthen the communities we serve and advance our strategic focus to close the racial and ethnic wealth gap. Click here to learn more about our strategic plan.

The History of The Chicago Community Trust

The Chicago Community Trust was founded in 1915 by Norman and Albert Harris, father and son duo of the Harris Trust and Savings Bank (now BMO Harris Bank). The Trust was the fourth community foundation ever created. There are now 750 community foundations in Canada and the U.S.

As our region's community foundation, the Trust unites generous donors, committed nonprofits and caring residents to effect lasting change that moves our entire region forward. Our approach centers on tackling the region's immediate needs and addressing the root causes of deep-seated issues to realize a more prosperous future for all who call metropolitan Chicago home.

For more than 100 years, donors have entrusted their philanthropic resources and visions to our stewardship. Guided by our deep knowledge of the community, we fund, lead, convene and collaborate to address the greatest and most critical needs facing the Chicago region. From the $22 million raised to help with unemployment relief in the Great Depression to spearheading an effort to help people keep their homes during the foreclosure crisis of the Great Recession to $35 million raised for the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, which supported nonprofits serving our most vulnerable neighbors, Chicagoans have put their trust in us.

In 2019, we announced we would focus our discretionary spending over the next decade on working to close Chicago's growing racial and ethnic wealth gap. The Trust envisions a Chicago region that's stronger and more prosperous because everyone—regardless of race, ethnicity, or zip code—has equitable access to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed and live a fulfilling life.

With assets of more than $4.5 billion, the Trust, in partnership with its donors, distributes more than $1.6 billion in grants each year. The Trust Team seeks to match the passion and commitment of donors, grant recipients, residents, and community leaders that continue to work tirelessly to make the Chicago region one where all have the opportunity to realize their dreams.