Professionals with experience in social justice philanthropy, grassroots organizing and movement-building can apply for the Emergent Fund Program Officer Job 2026, a remote opportunity offering a starting salary of $100,000 per year.
Emergent Fund is recruiting a Program Officer to support its grantmaking and movement-building initiatives. The successful candidate will work closely with the Co-Director of Movement Building to develop relationships with movement partners, coordinate participatory grantmaking processes and strengthen systems that support grantees.
The position is full-time and mid-level, with a four-day, 32-hour work week, flexible scheduling and a remote working environment. The role is open to candidates eligible to work in the United States and able to work in the U.S. Eastern Time Zone.
Applications close on September 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST, with an anticipated start date of December 1, 2026.
About the Emergent Fund Program Officer Role
The Program Officer is a new position within Emergent Fund’s Movement Building Team. The role is intended to provide operational, relationship-building and project management support across the organization’s grantmaking activities.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Co-Director of Movement Building and help coordinate participatory grantmaking cycles while supporting relationships with movement partners.
The role is particularly suited to someone who enjoys organizing workflows, managing multiple projects, working with data and spreadsheets, coordinating communications and keeping complex processes moving.
The position requires an independent and proactive approach, alongside the ability to collaborate effectively within a remote team.
Key Responsibilities
The Program Officer will dedicate approximately 50% of their time to grantmaking and movement partner support.
Responsibilities in this area include:
- Supporting monthly participatory grantmaking cycles.
- Preparing materials for Advisory Council review.
- Tracking grantmaking decisions.
- Assisting with application vetting and due diligence.
- Coordinating communications with applicants and grantees.
- Responding to inquiries and providing application updates.
- Maintaining accurate grantee data.
- Supporting accessibility and clarity throughout the grantmaking process.
Another 25% of the role will focus on relationship building and field engagement.
The Program Officer will cultivate relationships with current and prospective grantees, assist with virtual and in-person convenings and support capacity-building opportunities guided by grantee partners.
The remaining 25% will involve learning, evaluation and collaboration, including compiling grantmaking data, supporting reports and contributing to internal evaluation and knowledge-sharing activities.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should have 2–4 years of experience in social justice philanthropy, grassroots organizing or related movement work.
Emergent Fund is also seeking candidates with a demonstrated commitment to its mission and values and experience working in movement or social justice environments.
Relevant experience may include work involving areas such as:
- Grassroots labor.
- Reproductive justice.
- Racial justice.
- Disability justice.
- Climate justice.
- Queer liberation.
- Restorative justice.
- Democracy.
- Other social justice or movement-building areas.
Candidates should also demonstrate experience cultivating relationships within BIPOC-led movements and/or participating in community-centered processes.
Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills are required, along with the ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and work collaboratively.
Preferred Qualifications
Several additional qualifications are described as strongly preferred rather than essential.
These include previous experience in grantmaking or philanthropic advocacy, particularly participatory or trust-based models.
Experience with convening, facilitation, community capacity building or grantmaking databases can also be advantageous.
Emergent Fund also identifies Spanish or another language in addition to English as a preferred qualification.
Applicants should be comfortable using technology and willing to learn new systems, particularly because the role involves coordinating grantmaking workflows and maintaining organizational data.
$100,000 Salary and Four-Day Work Week
The starting salary for the Program Officer position is $100,000 per year.
The position also comes with a four-day, 32-hour work week and flexible scheduling. Staff are expected to be available and responsive during core hours of approximately 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time.
The organization notes that occasional unconventional working hours may be necessary because of organizational retreats, rapid proposal or reporting timelines, relationship-building opportunities and travel.
The salary and title are described in the vacancy as non-negotiable for purposes of equity and internal parity.
Benefits Package
The Emergent Fund offers a comprehensive benefits package alongside the salary.
Benefits listed in the vacancy include:
- 100% employer-paid medical and dental coverage for employees and dependents.
- Flexible Spending Account.
- Retirement savings account with employer contribution.
- 20 days of vacation.
- 10 sick days.
- 13 paid holidays.
- Paid family leave after one year of eligibility.
- Professional development funds.
- Remote work environment.
The organization describes its workplace as disability justice-centered and emphasizes flexibility, collaboration and employee autonomy.
Remote Work and Location Requirements
Although the position is remote, it is not a worldwide remote position.
The vacancy states that the opportunity is open to candidates who are eligible to work in the United States and able to work in the U.S. Eastern Time Zone.
The organization operates primarily remotely and expects approximately 3–6 in-person trips in 2027, although travel requirements may vary.
The organization states that access needs, childcare needs and COVID safety considerations will be prioritized when arranging in-person work travel.
Application Requirements
Candidates applying for the Program Officer role must submit several materials through the online application portal.
The required application materials include:
- First name and last name.
- Email address.
- Phone number.
- Address.
- Resume.
- Cover letter.
- Writing sample.
The writing sample should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to write clearly and persuasively about social justice or movement work. The employer notes that candidates may submit an existing grant proposal, concept note or lens paper.
The recruitment process states that only candidates considered a strong fit will be contacted for the next stage.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is September 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.
The anticipated start date is December 1, 2026.
Applicants should submit their materials through the official recruitment portal rather than contacting the Emergent Fund team directly about the vacancy. The employer specifically asks applicants not to call, email or message the team about open roles.
Final Thoughts
The Emergent Fund Program Officer Job 2026 is a remote, full-time opportunity for professionals with 2–4 years of relevant experience in social justice philanthropy, grassroots organizing or related movement work.
The role offers a $100,000 starting salary, a four-day work week, flexible scheduling, remote work and a comprehensive benefits package. The successful candidate will support grantmaking, movement partner relationships, data management, project coordination and organizational learning.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States and able to work in the U.S. Eastern Time Zone. Applications close on September 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST, making early preparation important for applicants interested in the opportunity.
