UpRoot Colorado (UpRoot) measurably reduces surplus protective foods in Colorado, supports the economic stability of farmers and increases the nutritional security of our state’s residents.

We envision a mindful, humane and equitable Colorado foodshed where farmers are valued for who they are: a cornerstone of our society.

UpRoot is seeking a new co-director to oversee organizational strategy, programming, and growth while also shepherding operations along Colorado’s beautiful, food- and agricultural-rich Western Slope. Now in its fifth year of operations—and first full year as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit—UpRoot’s co-director model is working well in pursuit of its mission to reduce surplus protective foods in the state, support Colorado’s smallholder and family farms, increase the nutritional security of Coloradans and increase cultural food wisdom. 

The co-director works both internally and externally to empower and inspire staff and community. The co-director will leverage mindful intention, good-listening skills, empathy and intelligence to build relationships on a daily basis, championing the importance and value of food and those whose vocations and livelihoods are dependent on its careful production (i.e., we leverage experiential education to promote cultural food wisdom, working to increase community gratitude for the producers and farm/ranch hands who work hard to bring a life-sustaining resource to our respective tables). 

Strategy 

The co-director is tasked with helping to shape and enact overall organizational strategy and geographic-based strategy (e.g., implementing, evaluating and progressing gleaning coordination on Colorado’s Western Slope). The co-director is responsible for envisioning and implementing programming that will lead to the fulfillment of UpRoot’s mission and vision. The co-director welcomes feedback from the Board, teammates, partner agencies, producers, volunteers and members of the community with respect to creating increased positive impact and momentum towards the fulfillment of UpRoot’s mission.

Administrative 

The co-director is responsible for understanding both current organizational efficiencies and inefficiencies and exploring methodologies to create higher organizational effectiveness. This may include evaluating current software platforms and researching new ones to studying organizational models across nonprofit and for-profit sectors to improving internal and external communications. Together, the co-directors are also charged with hirings, evaluations and dismissals. 

Supervisory

The co-directors currently oversee UpRoot’s three gleaning & volunteer-outreach coordinators, including training the coordinators in organizational safety, food safety, and social media and database management. The co-directors are also responsible for educating coordinators in UpRoot’s history, mission and vision; organizational partnerships and logistics; and the process and benefits of experiential education. 

Ultimately, we are looking for someone who is excited about reinstalling food wisdom within our Colorado communities (In 2020 UpRoot employed two seasonal gleaning coordinators on the Western Slope. In 2021 we hope to employ three coordinators). 
 

Development

Working side-by-side with UpRoot’s development coordinator, and with the Board, the co-director will create and implement a fundraising strategy that results in a successful and diversified budget including funding from institutions and individuals. The co-director will:  

• Cultivate effective personal relationships with private donors, foundations, and businesses (actual and prospective)
• Research and write grant proposals and ensure grant-reporting requirements are met 
• Conduct official correspondence on behalf of the organization

Outreach

Volunteer Coordination

Liaison

The co-director acts as a liaison between the Board and UpRoot’s employees and, to an extent, UpRoot’s Volunteer Gleaning Corps, its farmer partners, agency partners, and financial supporters. 

Team Builder 

The co-director is responsible for promoting the health and well-being of team members, and identifying ways to engage UpRoot’s employees more deeply and effectively in the goal of accomplishing the organization’s mission and vision. 
 

Qualification, Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of food-system experience
• Experience managing people
• Experience managing a budget
• Self-starter, self-motivated
• Proficient at networking
• Excited to take on a leadership role in a young, growing nonprofit organization
• Proficiency with Google Drive; Docs, Sheets, etc.

Good to have:

• Experience with CRM management
• Bilingual; fluent in Spanish
• Experience with development work (e.g., fundraising, grant writing, donor relations)
• Experience working on a farm or ranch
• Nonprofit experience

Work Location
The Western Slope of Colorado (e.g., the North Fork or the Roaring Fork River Valley).
Notes

This role is a full-time salaried position. Current compensation for this position is $35,500 - $38,500 DOE. Current benefits include a healthcare stipend, two-weeks paid vacation, 10 paid holidays and sick days.