POSITION DESCRIPTION

Program Officer, Aging Services

www.macphilanthropies.org

On behalf of our client, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, Ballinger|Leafblad is conducting a retained search in the
recruitment of a Program Officer, Aging Services.

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Program Officer Aging Services
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ORGANIZATION HISTORY
The organizations founder, Margaret A. Cargill, was born September. 24, 1920, and was
the granddaughter of William Cargill, co-founder of Cargill Incorporated. She spent most
of her youth in the Midwest, where she developed her love of the outdoors.
After earning a degree in art education from the University of Minnesota, she moved to
Southern California, where she pursued her interest in arts and crafts and developed
her interest in philanthropy. S h e m a n a g e d m uch of her substantial philanthropy
through Akaloa Resource Foundation and Anne Ray Charitable Trust, which she formed
to allow her to give anonymously. She provided that the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation
be created upon her death. She died August 1, 2006.
The Philanthropies serves as the umbrella over three grant making organizations
founded by Margaret A. Cargill, all with a common mission: To provide meaningful
assistance and support to society, the arts, and the environment.
Those three grantmaking organizations are:
Margaret A. Cargill Foundation
Anne Ray Charitable Trust
Akaloa Resource Foundation
The purpose of the grantmaking entities is to provide assistance and support in
order to:
Enhance the quality of life for children, families and seniors
Prevent and relieve the suffering of children, families and seniors
Preserve and promote the environment and the arts
Encourage and support the humane treatment of animals
The philosophy of grantmaking for Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies:
Lead with our values, internally and externally
Partner with capable organizations that have demonstrated their ability to work
successfully
Provide meaningful support to strategic grantees
Support work in and with communities toward sustainable solutions
Pay special attention to underserved or low-attention areas, populations or issues
Value and affirm the integration of all functions of the Philanthropies in our
grantmaking
Make measurable impact on focused goals
Evaluate our work, reshape our approaches as we learn, share and apply our learning
to future grantmaking

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THE ORGANIZATION TODAY

The Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies b a s e d i n Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and
represent Miss Cargills commitment to an environmentally sound and sustainable
space.
The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation has seven main program interests: Environment;
Relief and Resilience; Arts & Culture, Animal Welfare, Aging Services, Families and
Children, and Health.
The cultural aspirations of MACP are to be humble, compassionate, respectful, honest,
professional, ethical and mindful of the importance of carrying out the philanthropic
work as envisioned by Margaret A. Cargill. Staff members need to be comfortable in
an organization that is still young with ongoing growth and development. This is a
culture where teamwork is critical, learning is ongoing and decisions are made
thoughtfully and reviewed thoroughly with the input of many voices.
The core values of Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies:

Making a difference Working together to make lives better

Excellence We set the bar high

Integrity Do the right thing, even when no one is watching

Respect We treat people well

Learning Always growing

Humility Its not about us

Assets under management for the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation are over $3 billion.
The Aging Services Program
In 2013, the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation established the Aging Services Program with
the distinct vision of its role and purpose: to help older adults live full, meaningful lives
with dignity and independence. Every aspect of the program is intended to honor
Margaret A. Cargills deep personal connection to assisting seniors gain access to needed
supports to remain in their homes and live with purpose and value throughout their later
years. The Foundation has identified three key strategies for achieving the broad purpose
of helping seniors remain in their homes and communities: 1) Community Care Integration,
2) workforce development; and 3) technology. The program serves seven states in the
Upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest as geographic priorities. In keeping with the
Margaret A. Cargill focus on underserved areas, support will focus on rural communities
within these states.

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JOB PURPOSE
The Program Officer, Aging Services is responsible for continuing the implementation
of the organizations strategic plan in the area of aging services. He or she will support
program leadership at the Margaret. A. Cargill Foundation; other Foundation staff,
and Trustees in executing and carrying out effective grant-making related to aging
services and other adjunct program strategies.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP AND COLLABORATION

The Program Officer, Aging Services will report to Ms. Elizabeth Sullivan, Director of
Operations and Directed Giving. This position will not supervise others, but will
collaborate closely with other program staff, the Director, Research & Evaluation and
many other internal and external stakeholders. The role will manage a grantmaking
portfolio of around $12 million per year.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Officer, Aging Services will:
o Implement a focused portfolio of Aging Services grants based on a program plan
that prioritizes community-based impact, rural communities, technology,
work force training, and coordination of services in a seven-state area
across the upper Midwest and Northwest. Work with partner foundations
and non-profit organizations to identify and implement targeted financial
investments.
Building on the existing strategy and funding commitments, continue the
development of strategic opportunities for targeted grant making.
Identify and prioritize grant making opportunities with direction from
Program Director, Directed Giving, VP Programs, MACF and Trustees.
Collaborate with other Foundation program staff, evaluation staff, and
operations staff to implement evidence-based grant making using national
best practices and networks for guidance.
Access program expertise inside and outside the Foundation for input and
guidance on grant making tactics.
Connect program goals with financial distribution targets with
organizations and intermediaries on the ground to maximize and leverage
program results.

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o In cooperation with the Director, Evaluation, e s t a b l i s h l e a r n i n g

o b j e c t i v e s a n d implement an evaluation plan that will guide the Foundations
investments in the Aging Services program.
o Make presentations of grant proposals, lessons learned and outcomes of past
grants to Trustees with input from senior leadership.
o In collaboration with the Foundations Finance, Legal, and Evaluation teams,
provides input, as requested, for the Aging Services budget, grant planning,
compliance, and measurement.
o Evaluate opportunities to coordinate and collaborate with other funders to
multiply overall impact on Aging Services.
o Stay abreast of trends, practices, laws, developments in technology and other
related aspects of the Aging Services field.
o Regularly make site visits, attend conferences, and represent the Margaret A.
Cargill Foundation regarding its Aging Services initiatives.
o Represent the Foundation externally with peer organizations for the purpose of
both learning about and sharing best practices and for supporting professional
development.
o Work in partnership with other staff of the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies to
advance the overall philanthropic vision of Margaret A. Cargill.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will be a skilled grant maker. He or she will possess ten or more
years of relevant experience in the field of grant making/philanthropy. Further, he
or she will have a demonstrated track-record in understanding and navigating the
complex economic implications in a human services field such as aging services,
workforce development, economic development, rural community development and
others. They will possess strong skills in o t h e r areas such as program
development, reporting, evaluation. Experience in a private foundation with
oversight of a grant making portfolio is strongly preferred, but not required.
The fully qualified candidate will be a collaborative communicator. Prior experience
teaming closely with others is highly desired.
He or she will have a commitment to the field of social services, including aging
services and a positive reputation as an effective collaborator with key stakeholder
groups in those communities.
Successful candidates will be highly collaborative, positive, and able to deal well
with ambiguity and an evolving environment. They will be adept at building collegial
relationships and able to respond to issues with clarity and diplomacy. They will
inspire and foster trust and confidence in staff, management, and their colleagues.
An undergraduate degree is required with a graduate degree preferred in a related
field.

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Additional qualifications and characteristics:

Proven ability to think creatively; demonstrated record of success working with a
diverse constituency of partners and stakeholders to achieve specific
programmatic outcomes.
Demonstrated pragmatism in moving large issues and budgets through specific
program delivery organizations for maximum impact.
Strong project management skills including the ability to effectively manage time,
meet multiple competing deadlines, quickly develop written materials, maintain a
positive attitude under pressure, and manage budgets.
Skilled, professional interpersonal and communications skills, including the ability
and comfort in speaking to groups.
Self-motivated and able to work independently in addition to working effectively
with teams.
Demonstrated experience and effectiveness in evaluation methodology and
planning.
Experience as a user of grant-management software and tracking systems (e.g.,
GIFTS).
Sound judgment and tolerance for pressured work.
The Program Officer will share and model the values of the Margaret A. Cargill
Philanthropies.

COMPENSATION
The total compensation package for this position is attractive and competitive and
includes participation in a comprehensive benefits plan.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to Lars Leafblad, Cofounder and Principal, Ballinger | Leafblad, Inc. via lars@ballingerleafblad.com.
All inquiries will be treated as confidential. Review of candidate materials will begin
immediately.