Program Director, Education
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Pittsburgh, PA | December 18, 2020
Pittsburgh, PA | December 18, 2020
The Benedum Foundation in Pittsburgh, PA is an independent foundation serving West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania. A leading place-based funder dedicated to supporting rural communities, the Foundation serves as a true partner to area organizations, getting to know the opportunities and challenges, helping to develop initiatives and projects, and forging important partnerships across entities to leverage strengths and resources. The Foundation’s grantees and partners consistently describe Benedum’s commitment, openness, and creativity alongside their leadership in thinking strategically about challenges, and deep relationships with the communities it serves. The Foundation takes seriously its role in “helping people to help themselves.”
Established by Michael and Sarah Benedum and named after their only son, who died at age 20, the Foundation is designed to exist in perpetuity and distributes at least five percent of the market value of assets each year. Since its inception in 1944, the Foundation has made more than 8,300 grants totaling over $500M. Currently, the Foundation has assets of about $370M, grants approximately $15M a year, and has an annual operating budget of $3M.
The Foundation makes grants in two program areas that serve both states: Education and Economic Development. In addition, the Foundation supports Community Development and Health & Human Services grant programs in West Virginia, and major performing arts organizations within the Cultural District of Pittsburgh.
You can learn more about the Foundation’s mission, guiding principles, and work here. An excerpt from the Fifth Codicil of Mr. Benedum’s will also provides important context on the intent of his philanthropy.
The Benedum Foundation is seeking a dynamic and seasoned relationship-builder to serve as its next Program Director for Education. Given the Foundation’s hands-on and partnership-based approach to grantmaking, the Program Director will build deep and meaningful relationships with multiple constituents, experts, and potential partners in order to best leverage the assets of the community. This long-term work is in support of increased impact and learning outcomes for students in the areas served by the Foundation. This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with a particularly talented and high-performing team, including an expert Board of Trustees to create meaningful change for the people of West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The primary responsibilities of the Program Director, Education include:
As the incoming Program Director for Education, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:
The salary for the position is competitive and includes a generous benefits package.
Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Cassie Scarano, Managing Director, and Ariella Pasackow, Executive Search Consultant, are leading this search. To express your interest in this role please visit here.
The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation is an Affirmative Action / Equal Employment Opportunity employer, which seeks and encourages expression of interest from groups that are traditionally under-represented.
Koya Partners, a member of the Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world. For more information about Koya Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.