Nora Henter

Grantmaking and programmes professional with more than 18 years of experience supporting civil society organisations across Europe and internationally.

Experienced across the full grant-making and programme lifecycle, including identifying and assessing prospective partners, conducting organisational due diligence, supporting funding decisions, monitoring progress, and contributing to learning and portfolio development.

Over a fifteen-year period within the Open Society Foundations’ Education Support Program, recommended grants and worked closely with organisations across Central and Eastern Europe and globally. Conducted organisational eligibility and capacity assessments examining governance, leadership, financial management, strategy, and organisational sustainability.

Strong focus on understanding organisations as a whole and assessing how funding can strengthen their effectiveness, resilience, and long-term impact. Known for a careful, analytical and relationship-based approach to working with mission-driven organisations.

CORE SKILLS

• Grantmaking & Programme Management

• Organisational Due Diligence & Partner Assessment

• Portfolio Development & Monitoring

• Capacity Building & Organisational Strengthening

• Governance, Leadership & Financial Assessment

• Impact, Learning & Evaluation

• Civil Society & Nonprofit Ecosystems (Europe / CEE)

• Stakeholder & Grantee Relationship Management

• Cross-cultural Programme Delivery

• Strategic Analysis & Written Recommendations

SELECTED EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

• Recommended and managed over 280 grants across Europe and globally.

• Conducted structured organisational eligibility assessments covering governance, leadership, financial health, strategy, capacity, and sustainability.

• Supported capacity-building approaches embedded within grantmaking processes, aimed at strengthening organisational effectiveness and long-term resilience.

• Worked closely with civil society organisations focused on educational equity, inclusion of marginalised children and young people, and community wellbeing.

• Contributed to portfolio learning, reflection, and programme development discussions.

• Maintained ongoing relationships with grantee organisations across the full grant lifecycle, from assessment through monitoring and reporting.

NORA HENTER

Berlin, Germany nora@henter.hu | 004915771437407 |

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Independent Leadership & Transition Coach

January 2025 – Present

Supporting professionals through career transitions, leadership challenges, and organisational change.

• One-to-one coaching on leadership, decision-making, communication, and transition, drawing on extensive experience in philanthropy, organisational assessment, and international nonprofit environments.

• Applying structured coaching methodologies and reflective practice approaches.

Open Society Justice Initiative

Associate Director of Operations

2022 – January 2025

Supported organisational effectiveness and operational coordination in a global human rights organisation.

• Supported senior leadership in planning, prioritisation, and organisational decision-making.

• Contributed to organisational effectiveness, systems coordination, and cross-team collaboration.

• Supported organisational processes across international programme and operations teams.

Open Society Foundations – Education Support Program

Senior Team Manager

2021 – 2022

Team Manager

2020 – 2021

Led a small global team supporting grantmaking processes and portfolio coordination.

• Managed and supported a team of 3–5 colleagues in grantmaking operations.

• Coordinated workflows across the grant lifecycle, including due diligence, processing, monitoring, and reporting.

• Supported consistency and quality in grantmaking processes across programmes.

• Contributed to internal learning and improvement of grantmaking practices.

Senior Program Administrative Manager

2010 – 2020

• Recommended grants and supported full lifecycle grantmaking processes.

• Conducted organisational assessments and due diligence reviews.

• Worked with grantee organisations on implementation, reporting, and learning.

• Supported capacity-building initiatives focused on organisational strengthening.

• Maintained ongoing relationships with grantees and programme partners.

• Managed and supported a team of 3–5 colleagues in grantmaking and operations.

Grants Coordinator

2006 – 2010

• Supported grantmaking processes, documentation, and programme coordination.

• Assisted in assessment, reporting, and partner engagement activities.

• Contributed to the operational delivery of education-focused grantmaking programmes.

EDUCATION

PhD, Literary Studies – Eötvös Loránd University

MA, English and Russian Language and Literature – Babeș-Bolyai University

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Executive Coaching Programme – Henley Business School (2024)\

LANGUAGES

Hungarian – Native; English – Working Proficiency, Romanian, Russian – Fluent

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Literary Studies - Eotvos Lorand University Budapest (2008)

Master of Arts - English and Russian Language and Literature - Babes-Bolyai University (1996)