2026 Community Funding Committee

About the position North Star Fund is seeking passionate and knowledgeable community organizers and activists to join its Community Funding Committees (CFCs). These committees are the primary decision-making bodies for the organization's grantmaking, shaping how funds are allocated and influencing the foundation's strategy. The CFCs focus on supporting grassroots organizing led by communities of color in New York City and the Hudson Valley, with a commitment to racial, gender, and economic justice. This role offers a unique opportunity to learn about philanthropy, reshape traditional grantmaking practices, and gain deeper insights into the organizing ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Collectively decide how to allocate grants.
• Influence the organization's strategy.
• Read and score applications (up to 80 per year, varying by committee).
• Participate in grant deliberation meetings (approximately 20 hours per year).
• Attend occasional virtual gatherings and training opportunities.
• Participate in an annual, two-day strategic convening.
• Communicate in a timely and responsive way with program staff.
• Uphold North Star Fund’s community organizing criteria.
• Commit to a fair process.
• Respect applicants’ confidential information and name conflicts of interest.

Requirements

• Experience as an organizer or as a member-leader in a grassroots, member-led organization.
• Understanding of social justice issues and community organizing in New York City or the Hudson Valley.
• Interest in learning, adopting, and disseminating the principles of trust-based philanthropy and making grantmaking more responsive to the needs of communities.
• Commitment to at least two years of participation.
• Willingness to travel in your region (when it is safe to do so).
• Discretion and flexibility regarding personal/work schedules, or permission/support from the supervisor to participate.

Nice-to-haves

• Community organizers based in New York City or the Hudson Valley.
• Passionate and knowledgeable about organizing for systemic change.
• Interested in making philanthropy and grantmaking more responsive to the needs of communities.
• Individuals from backgrounds excluded from and unrepresented within philanthropy, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, LGBTQ people, youth, elders, and people with disabilities.
• Member or leader of a current or former grantee.

Benefits

• Learn more about philanthropy and grantmaking.
• Be part of a team of leaders who decide how and where North Star Fund will support organizing.
• Have a voice in shaping funding decisions and the foundation’s strategy.
• Participate in a philanthropic leadership community.
• Learn how activists can reshape how traditional philanthropy is practiced and experienced by applicants.
• Participate in democratizing and applying trust-based philanthropy principles to grant-making.
• Gain deeper insight into the organizing ecosystem in New York.
• Build and strengthen relationships with fellow organizers.
• Small annual stipend of $500.
• Reimbursement for food, travel, and childcare expenses for meetings and site visits.
• Training on grantmaking and responsive, trust-based philanthropy practices.

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