Marissa Berkley
Grants & Program Manager
“As a native of western Pennsylvania, I lived my first 8 years in a town called Nanty Glo, which literally translates to ‘the ravine of coal.’ I understand the significance of the industry as a marker of identity, just as much as I understand the negative environmental, economic, and health-related ramifications of the industry and its decline. I’m a firm believer in the necessity of the energy transition, just as much as I’m a firm believer that it absolutely can and must center the needs of the most affected people and communities.”
Marissa supports the programmatic and grantmaking needs of the Just Transition Fund’s Federal Access Center as the Grants and Program Manager.
She was drawn to the JTF’s mission and innovative approach to rapid-response, place-based philanthropy and joined the team in 2023, bringing her experience in philanthropy and nonprofit management to her position.
As a Grants Analyst at Crown Family Philanthropies in Chicago, Marissa played a key role in managing the grantmaking processes for the foundation’s various portfolios. Here, she ensured the efficient distribution of funds across multiple program areas, contributing to the foundation’s mission of driving positive change, setting a strong foundation for her work at the JTF.
Prior to her work at Crown Family Philanthropies, Marissa served the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago where she was responsible for designing and implementing youth development programming, which provided valuable support and resources to young people and their families, fostering growth, learning, and community engagement.
Marissa also spent time as an AmeriCorps Fellow at Great Oaks Charter School in Newark, NJ, where she contributed to the school’s mission of providing high-quality education to students from underserved communities by supporting classroom instruction and student mentorship.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Women’s Studies from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, and a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL.
A native of western Pennsylvania, Marissa now resides in Pittsburgh, where she enjoys practicing yoga, cooking vegetarian meals, and exploring the great outdoors.
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