Jane Ward

Jane Ward is Senior Director of Grants Administration at the National Park Foundation, responsible for grantmaking operations, data and analysis, and budgeting to help NPF deliver the greatest impact to our parks and partners.

Jane has an extensive background advancing equitable and effective grantmaking practices. Before joining NPF in 2023, Jane was Grants Director at the Meyer Foundation, where she managed all aspects of grants operations and compliance, led a wholesale process redesign to embed equitable practices, and led the selection and implementation of several grantmaking technologies and integrations. Before working in grantmaking, Jane spent twenty years in an array of nonprofit roles in operations, fundraising, program design, and government relations. She was a founding staff member of the National Council of Nonprofit Associations and launched her career in a full-time volunteer corps with DC’s Higher Achievement.

A Buffalo, NY native, Jane received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Carleton College. She is an active volunteer and current board member of PEAK Grantmaking and several community organizations. Jane lives with her family and rescue dog in Maryland. Her passions are exploring new places, digging in the garden, baking, and spending time with her family.