About Growald Climate Fund

We are a high-impact venture global philanthropy fund catalyzing the rapid transition to a clean energy future. We believe that philanthropy plays a key role in nurturing new climate solutions, supporting a vibrant and growing civil society, and promoting objective research and analysis for use by governments and key partners.

About the Role      

Growald Climate Fund seeks a part-time general counsel to serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, leadership team, and Board. This role will be accountable for and provide direction in the  resolution of legal matters in the areas of corporate governance, IRS compliance, grantmaking activity, risk management, contract management and HR.

The right candidate is nimble and strategic, balancing risk and compliance, while playing a key role in problem solving for the organization. We are a small foundation with a global grantmaking portfolio. Until now, we have resolved legal questions in house with support from outside counsel. The size and complexity of our operations have reached the stage where an inside counsel who deeply understands the inner workings of our work is needed. 

This role ensures sound governance, legal integrity, and risk management while supporting the foundation’s mission and values in its global grantmaking portfolio.

Responsibilities of the Position include:

Legal Oversight & Compliance

• Advise leadership and the Board on corporate governance, bylaws, fiduciary duties and conflicts of interest.

  Ensure compliance with IRS regulations for tax-exempt organizations, grantmaking rules, and anti-terrorism/OFAC requirements for cross-border giving.

  Monitor and interpret domestic and international laws affecting nonprofit operations.

  Oversee contract drafting, negotiation, and management for consultants, vendors, grantees, and partners.

Risk Management & Policy Development

• Develop and maintain a risk management framework, including review of insurance coverage (e.g., D&O liability).

• Provide guidance on employment legal matters and/or consult external counsel when necessary.

• Support data privacy and security practices as needed.

Intellectual Property & Communications

• Oversee intellectual property matters, including trademarks, copyrights, and licensing agreements.

• Translate complex legal concepts into clear guidance for staff, grantees, and partners.

Collaboration & Reporting

• Report to the Chief of Staff (and liaise with the CEO, Senior Leadership team and/or Board of Directors when appropriate).

• Coordinate with and manage external counsel as needed for specialized matters.

• Ensure legal strategies align with the foundation’s values, including commitments to equity, inclusion, and climate justice.

Qualifications and Experience

• Strong understanding of general nonprofit law and tax regulations pertaining to tax-exempt organizations.

• Juris Doctorate degree and 3 - 5 years' proven experience in nonprofit contracts administration, risk management or compliance officer roles.

• Active membership in good standing with a state or national bar preferred, though not strictly required if you bring equivalent experience.

• Comfortable collaborating with external counsel, spotting potential risks, and guiding a small team through regulatory and contractual questions.

• Clear, thoughtful communicator who can translate legal considerations into practical, solutions-focused advice in support of our mission.

• Exceptional drafting, analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.

• Experience with cross-border legal considerations and global grantmaking compliance preferred

• Strong leadership skills, interpersonal/communication skills, critical thinking skills and discretion required.

Additional Details

• Reports to: Chief of Staff

• FTE: 40–50% (part-time), with flexibility to respond to urgent matters.

• Location: Boston or remote; occasional in-person meetings may be needed

• Compensation: Competitive; commensurate with experience and market rates for part-time nonprofit legal counsel.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, we recognize the power of a diverse community and strongly encourage applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States.

To Apply

To apply, please send your resume and a brief cover letter to ydunn@growaldclimatefund.org answering the following prompts: 1) Why do you want to be a General Counsel for a global climate foundation? and 2) How will you apply your past experience to solve complex problems?