Executive Director

Position: Executive Director

Organization: The Garden For All, www.thegardenforall.org, www.facebook.com/thegardenforall, www.instagram.com/thegardenforall 

Location:  Hybrid remote role with frequent on-site and local community presence

Employment Type: Full time

Salary: $75,000 to $80,000K annually

About The Garden For All:

The Garden For All came to life in 2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic. The founders planted 3 x 25 foot garden rows to grow produce for local food pantries and find a way to keep people engaged in the community during a time of separation. 

In just a few short years,

• Our three rows have expanded into three acres of growing space along with four tunnels for winter growing and a staff of six. 

• We harvested 750 lbs of produce in 2020, nearly 14,000 in 2024 and look forward to raising over 30,000 in 2025. 

• Following the full development of both our new Johnstown garden and our current New Albany garden, we estimate the potential on our farm expansion to be 100,000-125,000lbs of produce per year.  

We are looking for an Executive Director to join us during this exciting time of growth to lead our efforts to minimize the impact of food insecurity in the Columbus area.

The Garden For All is financially strong and makes a large impact on the communities in Franklin and Licking counties, with the opportunity to do more. We seek a hands-on leader with proven experience in nonprofit leadership with an emphasis on development, operational leadership, financial literacy and use of technology. A hands-on approach, proactivity and energy are required for this position, as is confidence, collaboration, and a commitment to the mission of the organization. 

The Garden For All is a registered Ohio Nonprofit Corporation and is recognized as tax-exempt under IRS Code 501(c)3. EIN 99-2527575. Donations are tax-deductible per IRS regulations. 

Position Overview:

The Garden For All is seeking an exceptional hands-on leader to serve as our Executive Director. We are looking for a proactive and self-motivated individual who will help the organization continue to grow in impact. As the Executive Director, you will be the face of the organization in the community. You will drive development and help leverage technology to streamline processes. Financial accounting is not a requirement for the position however financial literacy is necessary, including understanding of budgeting and expense and revenue projections. With support of the staff, you will ensure the efficient functioning of our community programs, marketing and communications. You will enjoy a strong partnership with the Chief Grower. You will have the opportunity to lead and inspire our entire team, which includes the board, volunteers, and current and future staff members and have a lasting impact on the community. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Development Leadership: Lead fundraising initiatives, collaborating with external professionals and donors while also seeking out new fundraising avenues independently. Lead Major Donor fundraising. Maintain relationships with local foundation leaders.  

• Financial Stewardship: Oversee development, management and forecasting of annual budget and proactively communicate budget status with the Leadership Team. Assess program financials based on operational status and planned initiatives, proactively seeking opportunities for cost optimization.

• Systems Development: Leverage technology to maintain (or develop) efficient systems to enhance the overall effectiveness of operations, identifying and addressing issues independently.

• Strategic Communication: Oversee communications and social media strategy, providing guidance and strategic direction while encouraging creativity and innovation.

• Strategic Leader: Lead and/or participate with the board in ongoing strategic planning. 

• Community Engagement: Cultivate and maintain current relationships within the community to amplify our impact, taking the lead in establishing partnerships and initiatives.

• Administrative Support: Oversee or perform basic administrative tasks in partnership with additional staff, such as approving timesheets, creating communications, entering events, overseeing donor database management, and others. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

As the Executive Director, we are seeking a visionary and dedicated leader who embodies tenacity and proactive leadership. Qualifications include:

• Proven experience in leadership roles within nonprofit organizations or related fields, especially in the area of development. 

• Financial acumen and knowledge of budget management.

• A results-oriented mindset, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and driving initiatives forward.

• Excellent communication and technological proficiency, including with social media.

•  A commitment to addressing hunger issues in Central Ohio and a passion for our dual mission of Fighting Hunger and Growing Community. 

• Outstanding relationship-building skills and the ability to foster collaboration with staff, community partners, volunteers, and the board.

• Demonstrated strong ability in oral and written communication. 

• Ability and experience with working with people from diverse backgrounds. 

• Experience with food insecurity and related issues would be a valuable asset, although not mandatory.

• A commitment to a culture of transparency, mutual respect, learning and empowerment is a must.  

If you are a dynamic leader who is self-driven, passionate about our mission, and ready to provide strategic direction while empowering others to excel, we encourage you to apply for this role.

How to Apply:

Email resume and letter of interest to The Garden For All Board of Directors and Search Team, at garden@thegardenforall.org