ABOUT

The Miami Foundation is seeking candidates for a one-year fellowship (equivalent to a manager), with work experience in social impact investing, innovative finance, community economic development, and/or foundation grantmaking.

The Fellow will support the development of a collaborative, place-based philanthropic impact investing strategy at The Miami Foundation that will drive novel forms of capital and innovative finance – such as program-related investments (PRIs), loans, equity, and guarantees – to community development projects in affordable housing, small business, and climate. This effort is a nascent strategy at the Foundation to increase access to mission-aligned capital that advances community wealth-building while addressing affordability and climate challenges.

Duties & Responsibilities

In this full-time role, the Fellow will work in the following areas:

Investment Strategy & Fund Development 

• Collaborate internally and with external consultants, advisory committee to shape fund strategy, investment criteria, investment product parameters, and impact objectives. 
• Support design of capital deployment models and innovative financial products – such as forgivable loans, guarantees, program-related investments (PRIs) – that align with community needs and fund performance goals.
• Prepare investment memos, pitch materials, and internal documentation to support fundraising and fund governance. • Conduct research on comparable funds, structures, and market trends to inform strategy and positioning.

Due Diligence & Pipeline Development

• Conduct financial and impact screening of potential investments by reviewing financial statements and pro forma, assessing business model viability, and evaluating returns alongside social impact outcomes (i.e., job creation and community ownership)
• Prepare clear due diligence summaries and investment memos for executive leadership and investment committee.
• Identify high quality investable project opportunities aligned with fund goals by engaging with ecosystem leaders (e.g., nonprofits, developers, entrepreneurs, and CDFIs).
• Cultivate deal pipeline, including developing a pipeline tracking system, liaising with prospective investment recipients, and continuously evaluating pipeline strength and gaps.

Ecosystem Building & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build relationships with local stakeholders (i.e., peer funders, nonprofit leaders, issue area experts).
• Partner with ecosystem leaders to deliver technical assistance programming to prospective finance recipients, such as commercial buyer or housing developer workshops, to increase their capacity to service investments.
• Participate in and help organize ecosystem-building events, roundtables, and convenings.
• Support development of partnerships and co-investment opportunities to advance shared impact goals.
• Contribute to public-facing communications, presentations, and thought leadership to increase visibility and attract aligned investors.

Desired Experience and Skills

• Master's degree preferred. A bachelor’s degree, with equivalent work or life experience will be considered.
• 4-6 years of full-time work experience in small business finance, impact investing, innovative finance, community development, or at a CDFI or community-based lender.
• Strong background/understanding of Miami’s community economic development landscape, including issues touching small business, affordable housing & climate.
• Demonstrated experience in strategy development, project management and program design.
• Familiarity with underwriting, due diligence, business credit analysis, and other aspects of financial analysis.
• Attention to detail and demonstrated ability to perform complex work accurately, efficiently, and completely while meeting deadlines.
• Strong customer service orientation rooted in curiosity, patience, and an eagerness to learn and act as a thought partner with funders and stakeholders.
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to act both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Excellent computer, communication, and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 suite of products (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word).
• Multilingual, written and oral, in Spanish and/or Haitian Kreyol, is a plus.