EVALINE FRANKS
Queens,NY
Summary
Director of Programs specializing in international development and gender equality. Successfully led a geographically diverse team, enhancing grantmaking processes and fostering partnerships with grassroots organizations to drive impactful, community-focused initiatives.
Overview
1
1
Certification
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Programs
Women First International Fund
11.2016 - Current
- Progressed from Program Associate to Director of Programs during a period of significant organizational growth, contributing to the evolution of the organization from a four-person organization to a nine-person organization.
- Lead a geographically dispersed Programs team of four, fostering collaboration, accountability, effective communication, and high-quality program delivery across an international working environment.
- Oversees grantmaking processes across the full grant lifecycle, including application review, partner assessment, due diligence, grant recommendations, grant management, reporting, monitoring, and closeout.
- Conduct and oversee due diligence on prospective and existing partners, incorporating organizational, financial, programmatic, and contextual considerations into funding decisions.
- Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with grassroots and women-led organizations throughout the grant lifecycle, offering guidance and program support to enhance collaboration and impact.
- Developed an organizational strengthening program with a three-year capacity-building framework to support new and emerging organizations in building sustainable infrastructure and strengthening core functions for long-term growth.
- Developed the Grassroots Organizational Capacity Assessment (GrOCAT) to evaluate organizational strengths, identify capacity-building needs, and track progress and growth over time.
- Prepare analysis, recommendations, summaries, and supporting information for senior leadership, Board members, and committees to inform funding and strategic decisions.
- Develop and improve program systems, processes, and tools to enhance efficiency, consistency, data collection, reporting, and organizational learning.
- Analyze qualitative and quantitative information from applications, reports, partner conversations, and program activities to identify trends, capture learnings, and inform program strategy.
- Collaborate across the organization and with external stakeholders on initiatives related to philanthropy, grassroots leadership, women's rights, and equitable approaches to international development.
- Contribute to an organizational culture centered on strong partnerships, participatory grantmaking, and respect for the expertise and leadership of communities closest to the issues being addressed.
- Manage and coordinate consultants, interpreters, and other external collaborators supporting program delivery and organizational priorities.
Development Associate
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
09.2015 - 08.2016
- Facilitated fundraising, donor engagement, volunteer coordination, communications, and development operations for large nonprofit social-service organization.
- Supported fundraising events contributing to more than $15 million in annual fundraising activity.
- Cultivated relationships with Junior Board members to enhance fundraising efforts, volunteer engagement, community outreach, and media opportunities.
- Coordinated in-kind donation activities for St. Nicholas Project, enhancing support for individuals served through Catholic Charities' network of agencies and programs.
- Prepared meeting materials, communications, agendas, notices, and minutes for Board and committee activities.
Event Operations Intern
AIDS Walk New York
New York, New York
2015 - 2015
Volunteer Program Assistant
YWCA Brisbane
2014 - 2014
Fundraising Intern
Nashville International Center for Empowerment
2012 - 2012
Humanitarian Aid Campaign — Intern
MADRE
2011 - 2011
Education
Master of Development Practice -
University of Queensland
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia01-2014
Bachelor of International Relations - Business
Bond University
Robina, Queensland, Australia01-2011
Skills
- International Grantmaking
- Grant Portfolio Management
- Strategic Planning
- Program Strategy & Leadership
- Program Operations
- Partner Due Diligence
- Capacity Building
- Process and Systems Improvement
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
- Strategic Partnerships
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Community-led development
- Women's Rights & Gender Equality
- Board & Committee Support
- MS Suite Google Workspace MSTeams Zoom SmartSimple Salesforce Microsoft Office SquareSpace WordPress
Personal Information
Title: Programs & Philanthropy Leader
Certification
- Project Management Professional (PMP) — Project Management Institute
Passed 'Above Target' in all 3 domains on first attempt.
Issued Jul 2026 · Expires Jul 2029
Credential ID 4466888 - Professional Certificate in Financial Due Diligence for Nonprofit Partnerships
Issued Jan 2026
Credential ID aadc1dd3-ce79-4480-ae4b-f44f8753698b
Timeline
Director of Programs
Women First International Fund
11.2016 - Current
Development Associate
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
09.2015 - 08.2016
Event Operations Intern
AIDS Walk New York
2015 - 2015
Volunteer Program Assistant
YWCA Brisbane
2014 - 2014
Fundraising Intern
Nashville International Center for Empowerment
2012 - 2012
Humanitarian Aid Campaign — Intern
MADRE
2011 - 2011
Master of Development Practice -
University of Queensland
Bachelor of International Relations - Business
Bond University