About Waverley Street Foundation
Waverley Street Foundation (WSF) builds and supports solutions at the intersection of climate change and community priorities, focusing on efforts and initiatives that draw connections between urgent local and community-based issues—including housing, transportation, food security, regenerative agriculture, and more—and the health of our planet. The Foundation is especially eager to partner with communities that are already enduring severe impacts of climate change and that deserve a central place in solutions. WSF prioritizes representation, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all facets of its work.
Unlike most philanthropies, WSF will spend down its assets—approximately $3 billion— over the next 9 years, a decision that empowers it to support not only sensible and pragmatic solutions but also daring bets and breakthroughs that can alter the trajectory of the climate crisis and unlock a new and better future for humanity.
WSF strives to do things differently and be entrepreneurial and innovative in their grantmaking approach. As they take on the task of addressing global climate change, they are adopting a campaign mindset where they look to empower people and communities to ensure that their governments adopt and implement climate-friendly policies. Starting with some of the highest emitting nations in the Global South, the goal is to demonstrate the collective will of humanity to reside on a livable planet, and to develop momentum for climate improvements that results in a global transition to clean energy sources and sustainable living. WSF works in deep collaboration with field experts and advisors, as it is essential that the Foundation’s strategy is developed not in conference rooms but out in the world, informed by the lived experiences and innovative ideas of the people most directly impacted by the problems the foundation seeks to address. Specifically, WSF convenes community experts from a variety of disciplines to understand their experiences and help realize their solutions.
To learn more about Waverley Street Foundation’s work and grantmaking, please visit www.waverleystreet.org.
About the Role
The Associate General Counsel will be a key member of the Foundation’s in-house legal team, providing support across the organization’s activities and operations. They will serve as the primary counsel for the Foundation’s grantmaking and contracts, and will also advise on various other matters, including regulatory compliance, employment, IP, communications, tax, and governance.
As the newest member of the Foundation’s in-house legal team, the Associate General Counsel will support the General Counsel in continuing to build out the organization’s structure, policies, and processes. The Associate General Counsel will partner with operations and program staff to provide timely and comprehensive advice and training on risk management and an array of legal issues, drawing on their significant experience to work autonomously at times and to be comfortable advising in fluid situations. This position provides a unique opportunity for a lawyer and creative thinker committed to the nonprofit sector to join a developing legal function and help support a growing organization.
This full-time, exempt position reports to the General Counsel and will work from the Foundation’s San Francisco office.
The primary responsibilities of the Associate General Counsel are to:
- Provide legal counsel to program teams, grants management, operations staff, and communications on grantmaking activities and contracts.
- Support existing systems to comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as in-country laws in the Foundation’s priority countries.
- Support staff training and resource development on various nonprofit tax and compliance areas.
Primary Responsibilities
Provide legal counsel to program teams, grants management, operations staff, and communications on grantmaking activities and contracts:
- Partner with program teams to act as a counselor on grantmaking activities.
- Advise on legal issues that apply to private foundations, including advocacy and lobbying, political campaign activity, and self-dealing.
- Draft, review, and negotiate grant agreements, contracts, and other bespoke agreements.
- Partner with other team members to regularly update and improve standard templates, such as grant agreements, contract templates, proposal templates, etc.
- Support the development and improvement of technology systems that support our grantmaking, contracting, and other activities, as needed.
Support existing systems for complying with applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as in-country laws in the Foundation’s priority countries:
- Develop and implement user-friendly policies and procedures as needed for legal compliance issues, working in conjunction with the General Counsel and other departments.
- Be responsible for a variety of mandatory filings, registrations, and disclosures applicable to a private foundation operating across numerous geographies and issue areas.
- As requested, act as counsel in other specific legal areas both in the U.S. and abroad, coordinating advice with the General Counsel and outside counsel.
Support staff training and resource development on a range of nonprofit tax compliance areas:
- Design and conduct a training program teams on topics ranging from compliance with private foundation rules to emergent legal issues.
- Draft guides and other materials for staff covering a variety of compliance areas.
Position Requirements
- J.D. and at least 7 years of experience with relevant legal issues.
- Current admission to the California bar or eligibility for immediate admission as registered in-house counsel is required.
- Experience at a law firm and in-house experience doing a range of transactional work.
- Experience with, and working knowledge of, the federal and state laws applicable to 501(c)(3) private foundations.
- Be a team player, flexible, and enjoy working in a collaborative environment. Facility to work independently and as part of a team.
- Demonstrated ability to understand complex legal concepts and offer succinct explanations and counsel, and provide practical processes, guidance, and materials to colleagues.
- Commitment to living the Foundation’s values.
Compensation and Benefits
The target starting salary for this position is $250,000-325,000, depending on experience.
How to Apply
Interested, qualified professionals should submit an electronic copy of their letter of interest and their resume to the following search consultants:
Steve John Partner John and Snyder, LLC steve@johnandsnyder.com (415) 505-6685 | Jason Snyder Partner John and Snyder, LLC jason@johnandsnyder.com (415) 505-6687 |
All inquiries and/or application materials sent directly to the Foundation will be redirected to John and Snyder, LLC for review, which may delay evaluation and response.
Thank you for your interest in the Associate General Counsel role at the Waverley Street Foundation.