Position: Program Associate
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Application Deadline: January 9, 2026
Status: Full-time/exempt
Salary range: $43,000 – $46,000
Position Summary
The Program Associate supports the Saginaw Community Foundation’s scholarship program by managing application processes, maintaining accurate records, coordinating with volunteers and fund representatives, and providing exceptional service to students, donors, and the community. This position ensures smooth, timely, and accurate scholarship operations from application through award distribution. The Program Associate will also provide administrative support to the Program Officer for competitive grants. The Program Associate position will support the scholarship program 90% and 10% providing administrative support to the Foundation’s Competitive Grants Program Officer.
Primary Responsibilities
Scholarship Program Administration Support (90%)
- Verify and update scholarship criteria and information annually in the Foundation’s database
- Validate scholarship applicant information, including school transcripts, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submissions, letters of recommendation, special attachments, and memberships
- Maintain up-to-date volunteer reviewer lists and prepare materials for the review process
- Process scholarship applications to determine award recipients based on established criteria
- Track and follow up on students’ completion of required forms to release scholarship funds
- Maintain accurate and complete applicant and recipient records in the Foundation’s database
- Prepare and send correspondence to schools, fund representatives, applicants, and reviewers (certificates, payment notifications, thank you letters, flyers, recipient lists, etc.)
- Field and respond to student and family inquiries regarding the scholarship process
- Support continuous process improvement for scholarship administration (automation, templates, checklists, etc.)
- Any other duties to complete the scholarship process as needed
- Provide support during application workshops within the high schools and colleges
- Update mailing/email lists for all Saginaw County schools, trade schools, and educational institutions
Competitive Grants Administrative Support (10%)
- Prepare meeting agendas and grant review materials
- Capture notes and prepare meeting minutes for grant review meetings
- Update grantee correspondence materials and prepare grant applicant mailings, including denial and award notification letters, grant agreement contracts, and check enclosures
Organizational Support
- Provide back-up coverage for Reception periodically to handle routine inquiries by screening calls, answering questions and redirecting, as necessary, to appropriate personnel
- Represent the Saginaw Community Foundation at special events, meetings, and through community outreach
- Support special projects in collaboration with other staff as requested, such as meeting support and coordination
- Perform other functions as assigned
- Maintain a high level of confidentiality
Qualifications
- This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, bachelor’s degree preferred
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Outlook, and Word. Experience with database management software is a plus
- Ability to collaborate with people and communities of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and cultures
- Willingness to work as a team, emphasizing the values of respect and mutual accountability
- Interest in the Foundation’s mission and the operational side of grantmaking and philanthropy
- Working knowledge of nonprofit organizations is a plus
Send cover letter and resumé via email or mail to Eric Rutherford, COO. No phone calls, please.
Mailing address: Saginaw Community Foundation; Attn.: Eric Rutherford; 1 Tuscola St., Suite 100B; Saginaw, MI 48607