Program Officer, Economic Opportunity

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

The Fidelity Foundations are a group of private foundations that fund a diverse set of programs. Our values of excellence, integrity, respect, and collaboration guide our investments in economic opportunity, conservation, arts and culture, and medical science. Today, the Foundations are at an important and exciting stage in our organizational history, and we are seeking individuals with skills and expertise to support the advancement of a long-term portfolio of philanthropic investments.

The Economic Opportunity Team at Fidelity Foundations advances economic mobility by investing in the systems, organizations, and supports that enable individuals to build stable, self-directed lives—regardless of the circumstances into which they are born. The team’s strategy is grounded in the belief that well-timed, capacity-building investments in high-potential organizations can drive lasting impact.

The team concentrates its work across key life stages where targeted interventions can shift long-term trajectories:

• Early Childhood: Advancing healthy starts through maternal and child health, strong family supports, and high-quality early learning environments
• Adolescence: Building critical skills, relationships, and future pathways through mentorship, enrichment, and career exposure
• Young Adulthood: Supporting transitions to the workforce through postsecondary attainment, credentialing, and connections to quality employment

Across all areas, the team prioritizes organizations with strong leadership, evidence of impact, and alignment with regional needs, and works in close partnership with grantees to define clear goals, track progress, and adapt strategies over time. The team’s grantmaking is primarily focused in Boston and across Massachusetts, with growing investments in select communities throughout New England. Our grantmaking is done quietly, and most grants are awarded anonymously.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

As a critical member of the Fidelity Foundations’ Economic Opportunity Team, the Program Officer will further develop and manage a grant portfolio focused on capacity building and grounded in deep local knowledge and strategic alignment with the Foundations’ goals. They will identify and assess potential investments, conduct due diligence, monitor existing investments, and represent the Foundations to grantees and community stakeholders. The role combines strategic leadership, relationship-building, and cross-portfolio collaboration to drive meaningful philanthropic impact. 

This Program Officer role will focus on the Foundation’s Early Childhood strategy, with a particular emphasis on Maternal and Child Health. The portfolio is designed to ensure that babies are born to healthy and prepared parents—and that children thrive in kindergarten and beyond—by strengthening the places where families receive care and support. The Program Officer will help advance investments across the maternal and child health continuum (from preconception through pregnancy, birth and the early years), partnering with safety-net hospitals, community health centers, and field-building organizations to foster innovation, scale evidence-based practices and build provider capacity to improve outcomes for babies and families. 

Key Responsibilities

• Apply deep understanding of Maternal Child Health and/or Early Learning to develop responsive and impactful grants aligned to a defined strategy
• Participate in and contribute to strategy development and research agenda in collaboration with the Foundations’ Insights & Impact team
• Assess and advance promising proposals and organizations by conducting due diligence through site visits, in-depth material reviews, financial analysis, and other activities
• Develop and refine proposal requests, and prepare detailed written analyses and grant recommendations for senior management and Trustee approval
• Steward relationships with grantees by maintaining regular communication, offering thought partnership, and serving as a trusted resource throughout the grant cycle and beyond
• Maintain an active calendar of networking and learning sessions with sector experts, nonprofit partners and peer foundations
• Follow media and literature, stay abreast of best practices, and attend relevant conferences to broaden knowledge
• Evaluate grant and overall portfolio effectiveness against stated objectives
• Support grant administrative processes, including use of grants management system 

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate will be a thoughtful, collaborative professional with strong communication skills and the ability to build trust across colleagues, grantees, and community partners. Candidates should bring a strong mix of relevant experience, sound judgment, and the core competencies needed to lead thoughtful, strategic grantmaking in a complex and evolving field.

• A minimum of 8-10 years of relevant experience in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, public systems, or a related field, with strong content knowledge in maternal child health, early learning, or closely related issue areas strongly preferred
• Strategic and systems-oriented thinking, including the ability to assess opportunities in context, connect individual investments to broader portfolio goals, and translate field insight into strong recommendations
• Strong judgment and analytical rigor, including experience conducting due diligence, interpreting financial and organizational information, and assessing the potential and limitations of philanthropic investments
• A learning-oriented and curious approach, with the ability to synthesize information, ask thoughtful questions, and adapt strategy as new insights emerge
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop clear, compelling narratives and present complex ideas effectively to varied audiences
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to engage grantees, community stakeholders, and colleagues with diplomacy, credibility, and respect
• Ability to work effectively across teams, contribute to shared strategy, and move work forward independently in a fast-moving, complex environment
• Strong execution and results orientation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain attention to detail, and follow through on commitments
• Exceptional judgment, integrity, humility, and respect for confidentiality

This position will be based in Boston, MA on a hybrid schedule with a weekly requirement to work in-person with colleagues; successful candidates will need to undergo a comprehensive background check.  

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: 

The base salary range for this position is $120,000 - $215,000 per year.

Placement in the range will vary based on a variety of factors such as job responsibilities & scope, special skills, education, special certifications, candidate’s relevant experience, and other factors.

Base salary is only part of the total compensation package. Employees are eligible for an annual discretionary performance bonus in addition to their base pay.

The Fidelity Foundations offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, an annual performance-based bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package. 

The Fidelity Foundations are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive professional environment. We encourage applications from candidates with a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.