Program Associate

ABOUT US 

Inatai Foundation is a growing 501(c)(4) philanthropic organization committed to working with communities to shift the balance of power to ensure racial justice and equity across Washington and beyond. We are hiring a Program Associate to join our expanding team. 

Cultivating a staff team that embodies the diverse experiences of Washington communities is essential to these aspirations. We strongly and sincerely encourage applications from people of color; individuals who are immigrants, bilingual, and multicultural; d/Deaf people and people with disabilities; members of LGBTQIA+ and gender non-conforming communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. 

Visit our About Us page to learn more about our work, approaches, and values. You may also browse our Join Inatai page to understand our hiring process, work culture, and benefits.  

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Associate, Grantmaking Operations reports to the Program Manager. As a member of the Grantmaking Operations team, this role provides high-level administrative and operational support for grantmakers throughout the organization, ensuring that grantmaking processes are timely, accurate, and well-coordinated. This role supports day-to-day administrative activities, including scheduling, document management, internal and external communications, meeting preparation and follow up, as well as coordination across multiple grant portfolios and funds.  

In close partnership with the Program Manager, the grantmaking division, and cross-functional colleagues, the Program Associate supports special projects, internal initiatives, and department-wide efforts that strengthen systems, workflows, and team culture. Through this work, the Program Associate helps ensure that Inatai team members have the tools, information, and operational support needed to build strong relationships with community-based organizations and advance the foundation’s mission to build community power for racial justice and equity across Washington. 

This is a full-time, exempt position. Inatai is proud to be a statewide organization, and we know there are talented leaders everywhere in our state. As we grow and learn, we know that we are better partners to communities and more strategic grantmakers when we have team members rooted in place and bringing their lived and learned experiences to our work. We are prioritizing the following counties in Washington State to ensure we are fully living up to our commitments to geographic equity: 

• Asotin County 

• Clallam County 

• Cowlitz County 

• Grays Harbor County 

• Klickitat County 

• Lewis County 

• Okanogan County 

• Skagit County 

• Walla Walla County 

If you have strong community roots and a passion for making a local impact, we’d love to connect! Leadership lives in every corner of Washington, and we’re excited to meet talented professionals who want to strengthen their communities. 

We currently have offices in Seattle and Pasco. Team members connected to an office are expected to work in the office. Team members may be permitted – with supervisor approval – to work remotely up to two days per week. Periodic early morning, evening, and weekend hours will be required, and statewide and regional travel should be expected. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide administrative support for Grantmaking funds 

• Provide project coordination support including managing and implementing project plans and internal processes. This includes scheduling, document tracking, drafting agendas, tracking notes and next steps, and ensuring the team meets its grantmaking deadlines. 

• Provide administrative support through email and phone correspondence with grantees and grant applicants as needed. 

Implement Grantmaking team culture strategy  

• Provide administrative support for on-boarding new team members to the Grantmaking division, as needed and in collaboration with human resources  

• Support planning of department and division meetings and retreats 

• Provide on-site support for in-person Grantmakers and Grantmaking department retreats, welcoming team members, ensuring set-up and execution goes smoothly. 

Provide administrative support for Internal communications 

• Provide administrative support by using our internal communication tools such as Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint to support the Grantmaking division with updates, reminders, and overall information sharing. 

Support the Grantmaking division in logistics planning and on-site management for events. 

• Provide project coordination support, including scheduling meetings, notetaking, and tracking deadlines for grantee events. 

• Assist with drafting and editing PowerPoint presentations and materials regarding grantee events. 

• Manage event emails, phone calls, and respond to questions from attendees.  

• Support events on-site or virtually as needed. 

Other responsibilities 

• Contribute one’s own ideas, perspectives, and lived experiences to the emerging culture of the foundation. 

• Assume other responsibilities and explore new opportunities that arise with the evolving needs and aspirations of the foundation. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Work experience 

• Minimum required: 2-3 years 

• Preferred: 3+ years  

Specialized knowledge or technical skills needed 

• Project planning, tracking, and follow-through 

• Strong administrative and organizational skills 

• Event planning/logistics coordination 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills 

Other skills 

• Ability to collaborate across multiple teams while managing competing priorities 

• Strong attention to detail  

• Customer service-orientated 

• Ability to problem-solve in stressful situations 

Additional qualifications 

• A deep commitment to equity and racial justice and strong alignment with our organizational values and 50-Year Vision 

• Ability to authentically connect the foundation’s mission and aspirations with one’s own personal experiences 

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships and work effectively and respectfully with politically, ideologically, culturally, and geographically diverse people and communities 

• Knowledge of, or a strong desire to learn about, the needs of communities across the state who are most impacted by structural inequities 

• An understanding of the foundational role that racism, ableism, sexism, and other forms of bias and oppression play in perpetuating inequity 

• Experience with various equity, justice, and power-building strategies, including a demonstrated ability to connect with these issues on a personal and organizational level 

• Humility and curiosity, and an understanding of how these qualities are connected to success in this role 

• Demonstrated capacity for self-reflection 

• Strong verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills combined with the ability to listen deeply and authentically 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint) and Adobe (Acrobat DC) and ability to adapt to new technologies 

• Familiarity with Monday.com, Calendly and Google products  

• Ability to use AI technology thoughtfully and effectively (specifically Microsoft 365 Copilot), along with a willingness to explore how to use AI tools to make processes more efficient   

• IF NEEDED: Willingness to take part in occasional meetings and events outside of core business hours 

• Enthusiasm for traveling throughout Washington and engaging with communities that may be different from your own (travel is estimated at 20-25% for this position) 

COMPENSATION

In addition to a positive and flexible work culture, we attract, retain, and motivate exceptional people with an equitable and competitive compensation package. Salary ranges are set according to an explicit compensation policy, and relevant data are reviewed when setting ranges for each position. The salary range for this position is $72,000 to $87,000. A compensation enhancement is provided to employees with indigenous or advanced language proficiency in more than one language that they utilize to advance the Foundation’s work across Washington.  

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes fully paid medical/dental/vision coverage for employees and dependent children (and partial coverage for partners and spouses), a 12% retirement contribution, generous time off (29 days of flexible paid time off, eight paid holidays, and a year-end office closure from December 25 to January 1), paid family and medical leave (12 to 18 weeks), a transit pass (where available), and support for ongoing professional development.  

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume and a cover letter expressing your specific interests through our online application portal. Priority will be given to applications submitted by April 23rd, 2026. You will receive an automatic acknowledgment of your application once you submit your materials, and you can expect updates from the Foundation every two to three weeks once the priority deadline has passed. 

We are committed to creating conditions where all candidates are able to fully express their talents and potential and invite you to let us know if there are any accommodations that we can provide to support you in your pursuit of this role. 

Thank you for your interest in joining Inatai Foundation!