Company description

Founded in 2008, GMFTS has grown from a single school garden program to a nonprofit organization with robust programs that work to improve childhood nutrition, support Vermont farmers, and make fundamental changes in the region's local food system by connecting schools, farms, and communities through food and education. Over the last 13 years, GMFTS has accomplished the following:

 

• Facilitating the sale, aggregation and distribution of almost $4 million worth of local food to area schools and institutions via Green Mountain Farm Direct, and developing marketing materials for more than 25 local producers.
• Producing over 26,000 pounds of food for cafeterias and food shelves from school gardens.
• Conducting over 5,000 workshops with kids; 275 farm field trips; and 750 taste tests with students - reaching more than 36,000 students with hands-on experiential farm to school education.
• Serving more than 17,000 free meals to children in the summer months from the Lunchbox and providing weekly education and outreach programming.
• Delivering dozens of professional development workshops to teachers state-wide seeking to embed farm to school programming into their school culture.
• Hosting over 40 AmeriCorps members, training and mentoring the next generation of Farm to School leaders. 
• Coordinating the distribution of more than $225,000 worth of local food to the charitable food system during COVID.
• Managing a Vermont Everyone Eats Community Hub distributing over 40,000 free meals during the pandemic.
• Adding capacity by creating a full-time position to address food insecurity and foster a better quality of life for our constituents.
• Adding staff capacity to GMFD and growing strategic partnerships for greater farm viability, GMFTS is a founding member of the Vermont Way Foods L3C.
• Developing strong partnerships with stakeholders and organizations working in VT’s food system to find collaborative solutions.

Job description

 

Green Mountain Farm to School

Development Director

 

Location: Newport, VT (Remote/Hybrid work model within Vermont preferred)

Position Description

We are seeking a community-minded skilled fundraiser with strong organizational and interpersonal skills to keep the momentum going! Green Mountain Farm to School is recruiting for a Development Director to lead fundraising initiatives and conduct supporting communication activities that further our mission. Using measurable goals and outcomes, the Development Director will work closely with the Executive Director to implement an effective, multi-year fundraising strategy, cultivate and expand our donor base, manage grant applications and reporting, as well as collaborate with other team members on appropriate and timely communications and outreach materials. 

The Development Director’s primary responsibilities will include:

Development and Fundraising (60%)

• Develops, implements, and manages a comprehensive development plan with diversified funding streams including, major donors, business sponsorships, government grants and foundation giving, while stewarding new funding opportunities as they align with our mission and purpose.
• Write grant proposals, manage grant renewals and reports.
• Lead the coordination of multiple direct solicitation fundraising campaigns per year and create high-quality copy and creative for these campaigns (i.e. Annual Appeal, Giving Days).
• Manage donor database timely and efficiently; coordinating with the Finance Manager as needed.
• Oversight of fundraising plan initiatives; including events, online campaigns, annual appeal and others as deemed appropriate.

 

Donor Management (20%)

• Alongside the Executive Director, engages in all facets of donor relations management aimed at continued donor growth and retention.
• Designs and participates in an annual schedule of events to steward donors and celebrate our work.
• Manage gift acknowledgment letters and other correspondence with donors, including phone and in-person meetings.
• Maintains key relationships in the philanthropic community and identifies prospective individuals, corporations, foundations and government funders.

 

Communication and Internal task management (20%)

• Create copy and guide creative for Annual Report and other promotional materials for GMFTS and its programs as needed; Work with a graphic designer when needed.
• Collaborate with members of the team to develop and execute strategies to communicate about all of GMFTS programs and services to various audiences and the general public.
• Create and distribute the organization's e-newsletters and develop regular press releases and blog posts to promote the organization’s work, manage social media presence (Facebook and Instagram) in collaboration with program managers.
• Manage content on the organization’s website using WordPress.
• Create or assist with other communications and development projects as needed.

 

Preferred Qualifications and Attributes:

 

• 3+ Years experience with grant writing, fundraising, event coordination, and nonprofit fund development work.
• Success securing gifts from multiple sources, and donor stewardship.
• Experience in marketing, public relations, or other communications management.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication abilities as they relate to fundraising, communications, grant writing, and related public speaking. 
• Strong computer skills; graphic design, web design, and/or desktop publishing experience helpful.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships and interact effectively with donors, prospects, board members, staff and program beneficiaries.
• Demonstrated understanding of development and fundraising best practices and donor and foundation giving strategies and tools.
• Demonstrated financial literacy with balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and use of relevant financial management tools.
• Experience in a leadership role and working knowledge of strategic planning processes.
• Proven ability to successfully manage concurrent projects and prioritize competing responsibilities.
• Self-motivated and self-directed with a willingness to be flexible, positive, and adaptable.
• Familiarity with the Northeast Kingdom area of Vermont a plus.

 

 Additional skills: Canva, CRM software, Excel, Google Suite (specifically: Google Forms, Google Photos, Sheets, Docs), WordPress, Weebly, basic knowledge of HTML, MailMerge

Compensation: This is a full-time exempt position (40 hours/week, flexible schedule, remote/hybrid work model) with salary range $51,5000.00 - $56,500.00 commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package including: 

 

• Employer sponsored healthcare (80/20) or healthcare stipend ($3000.00 annually).
• Health reimbursement account ($1,000 annually).
• Simple IRA with employer match up to 3% of salary.
• Reimbursable work-related travel expenses (mileage rate of .51 per mile).
• 5 hours of paid wellness time per pay period.
• 27 - 32 days of annual paid time off (plus 5 additional days after three years of employment).
• Flex time, teambuilding, staff recognition and celebrations, and professional development opportunities.
• Annual evaluation and raises based on performance and COLA rates.
• Annual healthy workplace survey.
• Access to local food wholesale buying club.

  Compensation this position is : salaried, 50k-75k Location job can be done remotely Application instructions DeadlineJuly 31, 2022