Communications & Program Officer

Organization Overview

The Dekko Foundation, a private family foundation located in Kendallville, IN, with a mission of fostering economic freedom through education, awarded more than $980,000 in grants and pledges to 16 youth-serving organizations during its most recent round of grantmaking.

Started in 1981 by the late businessman and philanthropist Chester E. Dekko, the foundation invests in projects and programs that help build knowledge, skills, and character in children and young people from birth through age 18 so they can be self-sufficient and grow up to be economically free.

Position Summary

The Communications & Program Officer plays a key role at the Dekko Foundation. As a representative of the organization, he or she embodies the values and mission of the Dekko Foundation. This position manages an ongoing portfolio of grant proposals, represents the Foundation at various events, and supports the Foundation’s communication efforts through various channels, including its website, social media platforms, print materials, and creative outreach campaigns. This position requires regular out-of-state travel and frequent meetings outside of normal business hours. The Communications & Program Officer is responsible to the Vice President of Programs to carry out all of the responsibilities related to the position.

This position is on-site, with relocation to Kendallville, Indiana, necessary.

Expectations for Employees

Supports the Foundation’s mission, vision, and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence, competence, collaboration, innovation, respect, commitment to our community, accountability, and ownership.

Position Specifics

Adopt and embody the mission, vision, and organizational culture of the Dekko Foundation, evidenced by the way they treat others, seek first to understand, and respectfully address all stakeholders.

• Provide high-quality customer service to colleagues, grantseekers, grantees, and other stakeholders by responding promptly and respectfully to a variety of inquiries.
• Contribute to the ongoing process of developing systems to measure, learn from, and improve impact.
• Create, implement, and/or lead special projects as assigned.
• Maintain collegial working relationships with colleagues and constituents.
• Help to foster and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders and proactive partners.
• Any other responsibilities as assigned.

Duties + Areas of Responsibility: Communications Officer

This position will help to create, implement, and evaluate the success of comprehensive communication efforts and public relations materials to enhance and promote the Foundation’s mission and strategic initiatives.

• Assist the Vice President of Programs with print and online communications, editorial writing, media outreach, and message development.
• Assist with the design, production, and distribution of the Foundation’s publications.
• Support fellow staff members as they craft grantee communication, and provide feedback, as needed, with external stakeholder perception and the Foundation’s mission in mind.
• Assist fellow staff members by developing communication strategies, creative outreach campaigns, and materials for proactive initiatives when needed.

Duties + Areas of Responsibility: Program Officer

Complete a portfolio of grant proposals that requires making site visits, managing relationships with grantees, developing grant outcomes and milestones, and monitoring grant progress and impact.

• Review grant proposals. Draft and edit proposal summaries and recommendations for staff, committee, and board review.
• Participate in, and sometimes lead, multi-disciplinary teams addressing current and emerging foundation priorities.
• Help to identify organizations that are critical to the Foundation’s mission and actively support a positive relationship with key leaders.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of experience working in strategic communications. Experience gained in the nonprofit sector or related field is a plus. They also have strong interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, experience in strategic communications, creativity, and a heart for nonprofit organizations. 

Education

While a bachelor’s degree is preferred, the Dekko Foundation values education through both formal institutions and life experience. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an appropriate level of education for this position through a certification, degree, or real work experience related to the work required.

Skills + Experience

• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience in relationship management. The Foundation’s success is built on strong relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. This role requires a lot of writing and talking with stakeholders, both inside and outside of the Foundation.
• Experience in creative outreach campaigns, messaging, and communications. This role contributes to the Foundation’s reputation of being the “un-foundation.”
• Creative ability with a strong sense of design. Creatively communicating in color, pictures, and graphics.
• Strategic thinking that bridges communication efforts across the organization. The ability to communicate with our key audiences in mind is a must.
• Demonstrated maturity and seasoned judgement.
• Ability to work well with diverse personality types and levels of nonprofit experience.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Work or volunteer experience in the nonprofit sector is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.

Appearance + Personality: Professional, personable, upbeat, approachable, takes initiative, flexible, shows respect for others, passionate about the Foundation’s work.

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried position. Compensation will be based on skill and experience. Applicants should note their salary requirements for this position on their resume.

How to Apply

If you have any questions related to this position, contact:

Jenna Ott
Vice President of Programs
260-347-1278 | jott@dekkofoundation.org 

Interested candidates should submit a professional resume, 2 references, and a completed creative assessment (attached below) to Jenna Ott at the email address above by Friday, February 13, 2026.