About Trellis Foundation

Trellis Foundation focuses on improving postsecondary attainment in Texas. Our grant-making approach is highly collaborative and prioritizes catalytic investments that change or inform change to policies, practices, and systems, leading to greater social and economic mobility for individuals and more vibrancy for communities, regions, and the state.

Established in 2017, Trellis Foundation now disburses approximately $20 million annually to support mission-aligned work in Texas with a variety of grantee partners. These partners represent the higher education ecosystem, including colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, intermediaries, research entities, and others. Since inception, our average grant size has grown, as has our commitment to multi-year funding.

The Foundation approaches partnerships with humility, curiosity, flexibility, and optimism. Above all, we believe that equitable access to higher education is the most reliable path to a prosperous future – for individuals and for our shared society.

For more information on our mission, focus areas, and strategy, please visit www.trellisfoundation.org.

The Opportunity

Trellis Foundation anticipates continued growth and evolution of our grantmaking in the coming years. The Vice President of Programs (VPP) will play a key role in managing, inspiring, and mentoring a team to refine, expand, and execute on the Foundation’s grantmaking strategies.

Reporting directly to the President/CEO, the VPP will support the development and definition of programmatic priorities aligned with the Foundation’s mission. In addition, the VPP will serve as a thoughtful and strategic partner to the President/CEO and with peers across the executive team to refine and execute the Foundation’s strategy and vision.

As the senior programmatic leader, the VPP will be responsible for ensuring that the program team operates at the highest level of effectiveness and impact, and that they continue to develop their professional skills and strengthen their grantmaking strategies and practices. Additionally, this key leader will play a significant role in fostering engagement, nurturing and building an inclusive culture, and maintaining the Foundation’s values across the grantmaking team and ensuring consistency of process and procedure across all program portfolios.

Key Responsibilities

Grantmaking Leadership and Strategy Development

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Working in partnership with the President/CEO and the executive team to set future vision and oversee the execution of organizational priorities that advance short- and long-term goals
• Overseeing the implementation of the Foundation’s grantmaking across all portfolios through the advancement of strategic investments and partnerships with grantees, facilitating integration, and coordinated grantmaking
• Advising program team on the development of coherent presentations and other updates to stakeholders
• Maintaining a thorough understanding of program implementation challenges and work across the organization to identify and develop comprehensive solutions to effectively address them
• Bringing a nuanced understanding of issues related to systemic barriers to postsecondary success for students and experience working on these issues in practice
• Working with the staff across the organization to co-create a strategic learning agenda and to align appropriate/relevant evaluation and measurement plans
• Leading Program Officers in conceptualizing, designing, and implementing strategic initiatives consistent with the Foundation’s mission as well as providing recommendations for future work
• Reviewing and approving grant proposals and project reports that fall within the delegated approval guidelines
• With President/CEO and other executive leaders, engaging with the board of directors to provide updates, reports, and perspectives on emerging priorities and trends affecting higher education in Texas

Team Leadership and Mentorship

• Serving as the direct supervisor of the Program Team, currently comprising a senior program officer, two program officers, and a graduate fellow
• Coaching and mentoring the Program Team, with a view to their professional development and technical training needs
• Promoting and advancing a culture that exemplifies the Foundation’s core values.
• Cultivating and supporting a team that shares a deep knowledge of effective strategies and current thinking in the education and social change fields – what works, most effective and innovative ways to support nonprofit organizations, higher education leaders, practitioners, and other positive change makers, and how to implement effective strategies with partners
• Collaborating effectively across the organization to achieve collective goals, specifically:
  • Working with strategic learning and communications team members to identify, produce, and/or review various content related to the Foundation’s projects, grants, and initiatives
  • Working with grant management/operations team members to streamline grantmaking processes, policies and practices, including intake, review, and close-out to ensure efficiency and maximize learning and impact to the organization and the field
  • Working with the Chief of Staff to motivate and inspire a cohesive team, ensuring a culture of support, curiosity, transparency, collaboration, strong communication, accountability, and inclusivity

Professional Experience

• Deep commitment to improving postsecondary outcomes that lead to economic and social mobility for individuals as well as thriving economies for communities, regions, and the state of Texas
• Minimum of 15 years of overall work experience that includes significant experience in managing a team or multiple direct reports, catalyzing social change within a nonprofit or social impact context (e.g., foundation, NGO, advocacy organization, higher education institution, or other), with preference for substantial experience in grantmaking gained at a private foundation
• Minimum of seven years direct experience involved in strategy development and performance measurement
• Advanced degree in social sciences, education, or related field
• Deep sense of curiosity and demonstrated interest in learning, distilling lessons and turning them into actionable strategy or recommended approaches
• Experience in or significant knowledge of current trends and effective practices in grantmaking
• Experience as an internal resource and thought partner in identifying, strengthening, and synthesizing cross-programmatic work
• Strong relationship builder, storyteller, and communicator with experience building partnerships internally and externally
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams effectively, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment; demonstrates a strong track record of empowering team members through coaching, mentorship, and professional development initiatives to build individual and collective capacity
• Collegial spirit in sharing ideas and receiving feedback
• Excellent project management and time management skills including; exceptional attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple relationships and deliverables simultaneously, work independently, and follow through in a timely manner
• Able to facilitate dynamic conversations and to represent the Foundation publicly when needed

This position will report to the President/CEO and will be based in Texas. Anticipated travel: 10% - 20%.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $180,000-$210,000 based on years of experience and ensuring pay equity within the organization. Trellis Foundation offers competitive benefits and is committed to supporting professional development opportunities. Benefits include:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• 401(k) Plan with 6% employer match vested after two years
• 18 days of PTO accrued per year, plus nine paid holidays and paid End-of-Year Holiday (December 24-January 1)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Family Leave
• Life Insurance
• Educational Assistance Benefit

Equal Opportunity Statement

Trellis Foundation values the perspective of individuals who have experienced barriers to accessing and completing postsecondary education. The Foundation is also committed to Fair Chance hiring practices and welcomes applications from individuals with prior involvement with the justice system. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs.

The Foundation supports all employees with reasonable accommodation and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Application Process

Applications should be submitted via the online portal: https://trellis-foundation.gnahiring.com. This posting will close on November 14, 2025.

This position description may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other business needs. The duties listed are not exhaustive and other responsibilities may be assigned as needed to support the Foundation's mission and operations. 

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