Grant Program Associate

Inspired by the dynamics of sailboat racing and the urgency for climate action, 11th Hour Racing is committed to the health and resilience of ocean systems. Supporting innovative, sustainable solutions in the maritime industry and beyond through sport, storytelling and grant-making, 11th Hour Racing works to build healthy planetary systems and strong communities.

About the Role

As Grant Program Associate, you’ll help shape how 11th Hour Racing opens doors to the ocean, from expanding gender equity and leadership in sailing to building more equitable pathways from education into ocean science, marine trades, and related careers. You’ll work closely with grantees and partners across our focus areas, help turn strategy into funded projects, and see that work up close through site visits and events. This is a hands-on role with real opportunity to influence our impact on ocean health.

Key responsibilities for this role include the following:

Strategy

• Help develop and refine 11th Hour Racing’s Grant Program strategy with the President and Senior Grant Program Manager, with a particular focus on Equity & Access and Experiential Education & Ocean Career Pathways. This includes articulating and evolving a theory of change, logic model, tactics, measurable outcomes, and learning agendas.
• Stay current on and share developments in gender equity in sailing and ocean education-to-career pathways, as well as other focus areas such as ocean literacy, coastal restoration, marine industry sustainability, and soil and water health.
• Present grantmaking recommendations and strategy to 11th Hour Racing leadership and the Schmidt Family Foundation Board.

Grantmaking

• Identify grantmaking opportunities with potential for transformational change and develop recommendations to achieve our strategic objectives, such as expanding gender equity and leadership in sailing and building stronger, more equitable education-to-career pathways into ocean science, marine trades, and related fields.
• Solicit, review, and analyze grant proposals and evaluate final reports.
• Evaluate partner and grantee organizations, including through site visits.
• Work closely with grants administration and finance to ensure grants are processed in a timely, accurate, and compliant way.
• Maintain grant files and manage grant information in our online database.

Partnerships & Representation

• Represent 11th Hour Racing at conferences, events, and meetings.
• Build strategic relationships with other foundations and organizations.
• Collaborate across Sponsorships, Ambassadors, and Communications teams to connect grantees’ work with the organization’s broader initiatives.

Communications

• Develop and coordinate grantee stories and program content for our website, blog, and social media.

Other projects and activities as assigned by the Senior Grant Program Manager.

What You'll Bring

• A genuine passion for 11th Hour Racing’s mission
• Excellent written and verbal communication, and presentation skills in English
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with a wide range of partners, vendors, and colleagues
• A collaborative spirit and enthusiasm for working on a small, close-knit team
• The ability to juggle multiple projects at once, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Keen attention to detail, including with administrative processes

Experience & Education

Required

• College degree or equivalent education in marine science or policy, environmental studies, sustainability, education, or a related field
• Demonstrated commitment to or experience in diversity, inclusion, access, or education-to-career pathway work, ideally in sport or another field where women and other groups have been historically underrepresented
• Proficiency in Google Workspace

Preferred

• 3–7 years of experience in equity and access program management, philanthropy, or nonprofit program management
• Knowledge of the ocean and marine industries (strongly preferred)
• Experience with Salesforce

Additional Requirements

• Authorization to work in the United States
• Ability to work on-site in Newport, Rhode Island
• Ability to travel as needed

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have direct reports but may supervise interns, consultants, and other administrative support staff.

This is an exempt position.

11th Hour Racing is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create an atmosphere where diversity of identity, experience, and background are welcomed, valued and supported. 11th Hour Racing believes that diversity brings about greater sustainability on all levels and aims to use its resources to generate greater social and environmental diversity through its grantmaking and other related investments. 11th Hour Racing is committed to considering candidates for employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability and any other status protected under applicable law, and provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. We actively invite people of all backgrounds to apply with us.