Program Officer, Justice and Liberation Fund

Position Title: Program Officer, Justice & Liberation Fund

Reports To:Director of Programs

Open Until:November 2, 2026 at 5:00PM

Salary:$88,912.00

About Headwaters Foundation for Justice

We are a Minneapolis-based community foundation that invests in grassroots organizing across Minnesota. We do this through grantmaking programs that support organizations and groups on the front lines of social change. Each of our programs invites people from the community to learn about and lead our grantmaking work. Since 1984, Headwaters has believed that the people who directly experience society’s injustices are exactly the people who know the way to collective liberation. We fund a variety of groups, and we prioritize funding groups that are led by and for Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color.

Our mission is to amplify the power of community to advance equity and justice.

Our four core values are:

Advance Equity. Our work supports movements and systems change that lead to individual resiliency and community power.

Demand Inclusion. People who are most affected by inequity are often left out of decision-making work. We insist on changing that—nationally, regionally, and locally.

Transform Power. We grow power through community-led grantmaking, donor education, and leadership development.

Trust in Community. A community knows itself best, and its people need to lead the way to collective liberation. Our job is to listen to and support the solutions that will improve life for all Minnesotans.

Position Overview

The Program Officer will design, evaluate, and facilitate the Justice & Liberation Fund, Headwaters’ fund dedicated to resourcing Black-led groups working on the frontlines of justice. In addition to leading the Fund, the Program Officer will cultivate, leverage, and integrate Black leadership and wisdom to strengthen the Foundation’s long-standing work within our communities. Lastly, as Headwaters is a collaborative environment, the Justice & Liberation Fund Program Officer will also contribute to the successful implementation of HFJ’s other funds and programs.

The Justice & Liberation Fund is housed within the Black Radiance Network at Headwaters Foundation for Justice. The Black Radiance Network is a community-powered network, created by and for Black leaders who are reshaping the state of Minnesota. Together with the Justice & Liberation fund, the Network represents and advances a future where justice, dignity, and self-determination for Black Minnesotans is centered.

Essential Responsibilities:

Grant Program Management Justice & Liberation Fund/Black Radiance Network - 50%

• Evaluate, design, and distribute funds through a community-based process.
• Recruit, train, and facilitate community decision-makers, in alignment with Headwaters community-led grantmaking processes.
• Support applicants through the grant-seeking and grant application process.
• Support community-led grantmaking process across HFJ funds.

Grant Program Partnership - 30%

• Actively contribute as a member of Headwaters’ Program Team: collaborate with team members, participate in annual planning and goal setting.

• Plan and implement Black Radiance Network gatherings and events.

• Collaborate and build relationships with current and potential grantees and community members. Conduct outreach to communities across Minnesota.

Other - 20%

• Participate meaningfully in Headwaters’ organizational culture work.

• Attend all staff meetings and education sessions.

• Perform personal administration work like calendar and time off management and expense management.

• Additional duties as assigned.

Ideal Skills and Qualifications:

• Demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community organizing and Black liberation, specifically from Black, Queer, and feminist perspectives.

• Be passionate about leadership development and dedicated to strengthening the growing ecosystem of Black-led movement organizations in Minnesota.

• Have a deep understanding of movement-building, healing, and transformative justice.

• Have strong, trusting relationships in the Black community in Minnesota.

• History working in an organization striving to create and nurture new ideas centered on creating a more liberatory workplace.

Required Skills and Experience:

• At least five years of experience in facilitating spaces with people from diverse backgrounds, preferably with an anti-oppression focus.

• At least five years of grassroots organizing and/or movement-building experience.

• Building relationships with Black-led movement organizations and community leaders in Minnesota.

• Demonstrated experience centering intersectional anti-oppression frameworks in work and organizing spaces.

• Demonstrated experience moving groups and individuals to act towards common goals.

• Coaching individuals in setting and achieving self-identified and collective goals.

• Successful track record of developing new and evolving existing initiatives.

• Excellent project management skills.

• Demonstrated commitment to personal integrity, striving for excellence, and collaborating with others to accomplish collective goals.

• Strong active listening skills.

• Self-motivated, effective problem-solver.

• Familiarity with Zoom and Microsoft Teams, and comfortable leading others on digital platforms.

Current COVID-19 Circumstances

Headwaters takes the safety and health of employees, their families, and adjacent communities, seriously. That’s why we observe the following COVID-19 policies:

• Headwaters requires all staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

• Headwaters is a masking optional environment.

Salary and Benefits

• This full-time position is non-exempt with a salary of $88,912.00. To combat structural inequities, Headwaters is committed to a no-negotiation policy. We practice transparency around our pay scale with individual candidates and staff members.

• Health and Dental insurance: 100% paid of employee-only and 90% paid of employee plus family and dependents

• 401K retirement plan with a 5% employer contribution after a 90-day introductory period

• Flexible spending account with a contribution made by Headwaters

• Unlimited paid time off

Working Environment

Regular work hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Central. Some evenings and weekends required.

All employees currently work in a hybrid setting—with 2-days in the office (Tuesday and Wednesday), and 2-days at a MN-based remote location. Employees are required to have access to internet at their remote location.

To Apply

Attach your cover letter and resume as one PDF in an email with “Justice & Liberation Fund Program Officer” as the subject line to Human Resources at hiring@headwatersfoundation.org.In your cover letter, please share a specific example of one of the following:

1. Your experience facilitating spaces with people from diverse backgrounds, preferably with an anti-oppression focus.

2. Your experience facilitating and/or leading a grant process.

Headwaters Foundation for Justice is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. We encourage women, BIPOC, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities to apply. Headwaters is committed to providing those with disabilities reasonable accommodations when applying.

We recognize that candidates may not have every qualification listed here; we encourage you to apply anyway. Headwaters is committed to the growth of all staff and will provide training and ongoing professional development for all staff.