Assistant Vice President, Scholarships

Description

OUR MISSION | REMARKABLE IMPACT

Remarkable impact is the heart of Foundation For The Carolinas’ mission, and the driving force behind our mission is the collective impact of thousands of nonprofits, families, companies, and organizations who partner with us to amplify the power of giving.  

HOW YOU’LL ADVANCE OUR MISSION | POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Assistant Vice President (AVP), Scholarships provides strategic, programmatic, and administrative leadership for multiple Foundation for the Carolinas (FFTC) scholarship programs. This role oversees program strategy, application management, relationship management, and payment processing while consistently meeting departmental deadlines and exceeding client and partner expectations.

This position requires a strong service orientation combined with in-depth knowledge of scholarship administration, financial aid processes, and applicable regulations. The AVP, Scholarships builds and sustains effective relationships with donors, community partners, school officials, parents, and students to ensure high-quality service delivery and program outcomes.

YOUR UNIQUE IMPACT | ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

General

• Collaborate with the VP and Director, Scholarships and the Philanthropic Advancement Team to develop new scholarship fund agreements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, colleges, and community-based organizations.
• Ensure scholarship disbursements comply with Foundation policies, procedures, and individual fund agreements.
• Stay informed of legislation, best practices, and emerging trends related to community foundation scholarship programs.

Grants and Program Management:

• In collaboration with the VP and Director, Scholarships, the AVP, Scholarships will implement, coordinate, and manage FFTC scholarship programs, including the development of new agreements, oversight of existing agreements, and ongoing engagement with donors and students.
• Coordinate and support at least one annual grantmaking cycle for each assigned client, including:
  • Applicant consultation and guidance
  • Proactive relationship-building with community organizations aligned with client priorities
  • Preparation, distribution, processing, and review of grant applications
  • Presentation of applications for board or committee decision-making
  • Execution of approved grants, including payment processing and evaluation tracking
  • Serve as a primary liaison between applicants, scholarship and grant recipients, and other stakeholders, providing clear information and program guidance.
  • Maintain complex individual and organizational records within the Foundation’s database; produce reports, queries, and mailing lists as needed.
  • Demonstrate the ability to interpret and communicate financial reports.
  • Assist with planning and execution of scholarship and FFBP-related events, including workshops and luncheons.
  • Ensure compliance with IRS regulations governing scholarship funds.

Board Support:

• Provide strategic guidance and administrative support to volunteer scholarship and grant committees.
• Partners with committee chairs to recruit members, coordinate committee activities, and plan meetings to advance program goals.
• Deliver comprehensive administrative support, including:
  • Scheduling, organizing, and facilitating board and committee meetings
  • Preparing and presenting agendas, application materials, minutes, fund reports, and related documentation
  • Providing staff recommendations on scholarship policies, selection processes, and award structures
  • Reviewing and screening applications and, when appropriate, recommending semifinalists and finalists
• Support development activities related to new scholarship fund creation by:
  • Facilitating donor conversations to clarify and advance charitable objectives
  • Drafting initial scholarship guidelines, policies, and procedures

Additional Responsibilities

• Proactively engage key stakeholders to strengthen relationships, raise awareness, and promote Foundation scholarship programs and services.
• Utilizes FFTC’s CRM and online scholarship application technologies to support donor engagement, scholarship administration, data accuracy, and reporting.
• Participate in Foundation-wide initiatives and provide support to cross-functional projects as needed.
• Assist with the ongoing management, documentation, and annual review of business processes within the Foundation’s business process management (BPM) system, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.

Requirements

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR SUCCESS: QUALIFICATIONS  

• Bachelor’s degree preferred and the equivalent of at least three years of office/foundation, public sector, or service industry experience.
• Familiarity with scholarship, college access and retention programs or higher education (e.g., admissions, financial aid, and student life) highly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with proven sensitivity and competency in working with individuals and groups from diverse cultural, socioeconomic and lifestyle backgrounds.
• Confidence and poise when speaking to individuals or groups.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Strong ability to learn new computer applications and assists others with troubleshooting.
• Proficient in computer applications, software, and database programs (such as Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, Adobe).
• CRM Database management experience (CommunityForce, Granted GE and Raisers Edge experience preferred or would consider other comparable system experience)
• Demonstrated commitment to service, excellence, and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to be a well-organized self-starter and work effectively within a team, with a proven ability to multi-task, set work priorities, track projects with meticulous detail and meet deadlines.
• General ability to perform the essential functions and overall physical and mental requirements of this position, including stamina to perform tasks over extended periods and ability to occasionally move about to accomplish tasks or move from one worksite and/or workstation to another.