Fordham University

Foundation professional, Carnegie Corporation of New York

A nationally respected grantmaker, as director of Carnegie Corporation’s U.S. Democracy Program and its Special Opportunities Fund (formerly Special Projects), Mannion redefined the goals and foci of the Corporation’s grantmaking in Special Projects after the arrival of the Corporation’s current president, Vartan Gregorian. The National Program’s Democracy Program currently aims to increase civic participation among Americans, focusing primarily among youth and immigrants.  With the respect to the latter, she oversees the Corporation’s immigrant integration grantmaking, which focuses on reforming the current U.S. immigration system and helping newcomers to the United States to integrate socially, politically, and economically.  In addition, the program continues the Corporation’s historic interest in removing structural and attitudinal barriers to voter participation, especially focusing on encouraging voting and other civic behavior among those least likely to vote, especially youth, minorities, and those from low-income communities.  

In addition, Mannion manages the Corporation’s Special Opportunities Fund, which allows consideration of projects that lie outside the defined program areas of the Corporation.  The annual program budget for the Strengthening U.S. Democracy Program and the Special Opportunities Fund is about $17 million.

U.S. Democracy

Director

Carnegie Corporation of New York

Program Director, U.S. Democracy and Special Opportunities Fund

Program Officer

As principal staff to the Special Projects program, responsibilities covered a variety of areas:  Program Development of subprograms in strengthening democratic institutions; conflict resolution; and philanthropy and nonprofit initiatives;  among areas; Grantmaking, including the review and evaluation of proposals; writing grant recommendation memoranda, and for board-level grants, agenda items; and monitoring and evaluating the progress of grantees; and Program Administration, including monitoring and maintaining the budgets; attending Corporation board meetings; and meeting with prospective grantees.

Program Associate

Assisted the program director with grant evaluation and grantmaking in international security and arms control area; drafting grant recommendations for the director continued part-time after joining Carnegie Corporation.

Ford Foundation

Consultant

Assisted in the preparation of a report entitled, "Aid Agencies' Activities in South Africa," in connection with IDRC's possible initiative in South Africa.

International Development Research Centre

Nairobi, Kenya, Field Office

Assisted in the reorganization of the foundation&#39;s field office, following its expansion; in particular, helped to coordinate the activities of both the Nairobi and New York offices to facilitate more efficient and productive operations.

The Rockefeller Foundation

As principal staff assistant to the Acting Director, responsibilities included: administering all aspects of the grantmaking process: reviewing proposals; drafting declinations; editing grant summaries, program reviews, and special reports for presentation to the Board of Trustees or internal committees; monitoring financial and progress reports from grantees; coordinating grant evaluation process; participating in annual budget preparation and review; coordinating day-to-day management of the division's $6 million budget; administering the foundation's Black South African Leadership Development Program; organizing international conferences and meetings; acting as administrative resource person for the program staff and director; supervising support staff; administering the appointment of consultants and adjunct staff.

Following the termination of the International Relations Program, reported to both the Vice President for Program and the Vice President for Communications.  For the former, completed the administrative arrangements pertaining to the termination of the International Relations Program; and for the latter, assisted with the reorganization and staffing of the Communications Office.

Geri Mannion