Employment Opportunity: Development Director

About Waltham Fields Community Farm

Our Mission: Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF)ultivates sustainable and equitable relationships between people, their food supply, and the land from which it grows. We envision communities with equitable access to the beauty, sanctuary, and food of local, sustainable farms.

WFCF has been a sustainable steward of farm land since 1995, providing open space, hands on, farm-based education and agricultural resources for the benefit of local communities.  

Our farm team grows on two parcels of land, both located in Waltham. All of our crops are grown adhering to strict organic production methods. We are proud to have been one of the first organizations to introduce the CSA concept and farm-based youth education to the Metro-Boston region, and to be actively promoting community-centered farming that takes into account the health of the community and the environment. Our core programs include

Education programs for toddler through teen on food production, environmental science, and nutrition education; workshops for adults; volunteer and service learning opportunities; and a Farmer Training program. We annually serve over 1,200 youth with a variety of programming; employ several local teens in an immersive summer work/learn Teen Corps program; and offer a selection of workshops for adults. No child is turned away for lack of ability to pay; and we offered tiered fees to groups and public school groups.

Food Access and Food Security We believe in making healthy local food accessible to everyone, regardless of income level. We achieve our goals through a weekly Mobile Outreach Market, subsidized pricing for the Waltham Public School Food Service Department, subsidized CSA shares and our VegRx program in collaboration with local health centers to support low-income at-risk individuals. Typically over twenty tons of fresh vegetables annually goes to thousands of local people who identify as food insecure.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)  We offer a 20-week Summer program, an Extended Season program and soon a Winter produce pilot program! In addition, we offer flower, fruit and mushroom CSA shares in partnership with local farms. Weekly distribution takes place at our primary farm site in Waltham. Our CSA program enhances the economic vitality of the farm. It provides over 500 households with the opportunity to be in close connection with the land and the people that grow their food, and to follow the seasonality of eating in the Northeastern US. We offer half-price shares for low-income households. Our community farm serves people in the MetroWest and Greater Boston region at every income level. Our low-income food access programs serve a culturally diverse population.  

Service Learning - Volunteering We strongly value volunteerism. Hundreds of individuals and dozens of corporate, university and faith-based groups volunteer in our farm fields, greenhouses and learning spaces.

Position Overview

The Development Director implements donor stewardship planning, donor engagement, fundraising campaigns, grant research, submissions and serves as ambassador for the organization. This position is responsible for securing revenue in unrestricted and program-restricted funds for Waltham Fields Community Farm and its grant-dependent programs and for implementing an effective donor stewardship program.

 

Primary Goals & Responsibilities

Goals

Enhance financial stability to support organizational effectiveness

Engage constituents in the organization's mission and programs

Expand organizations fundraising capacity, attract and secure grants and donors

Target funding strategies and make choices that balance financial return with our mission

Meet or exceed annual budget line item goals for foundation, corporate and individual fundraising

Create a donor stewardship and engagement strategy for sustained annual support

Assist with key fundraising events 

Responsibilities

Working with Executive to set annual fundraising goals for key budget line items

Foundation and Corporate Grants:

Maintain annual grant application calendar

Apply to foundations and businesses with which we have current relationships 

Research and apply to potential new foundation and corporate grants 

Maintain and update current grant language and write new copy as needed, engaging with Education Director as needed for Education program grants

Submit online grant applications in a timely manner

Corporate Sponsorship - implement event sponsorship program, requesting sponsorships in a timely manner before key events (spring and autumn), working with Development Committee to identify and conduct outreach for new sponsors

Donor Stewardship - Develop and implement a donor stewardship program with the support of the Executive Director

Support annual fundraising and engagement events including our annual springtime Sprout evening event, autumn Farm Day/Dia de la Granja, and end of year Annual Appeal

Work with Volunteer Coordinator to help develop and financially leverage group volunteer relationships and donations

Qualifications

Excellent organizational and communication skills to connect with community members from diverse backgrounds and experiences

Desire to build strong relationships with organizational constituents 

A self-starter, able to work independently, with accountability and adjust to shifting priorities

Excellent interpersonal skills and a desire to grow as a part of WFCF team

Prior use with CRMs and efficiency using (or ability to learn) G-Suite, NeonCRM, desirable familiarity with Canva, Constant Contact, social media

Minimum of 4 years experience in non-profit fundraising, grant writing 

Occasional willingness to work weekends and evenings depending on organizational needs, primarily event-driven

Compensation

The Development Director is a part-time, non-exempt (hourly) annual position, with specific hours per week varying according to farm and organizational needs. Generally, the position averages 25 hours per week, depending on organizational needs and season. WFCF is open to exploring an adaptive work schedule with a focus on productivity and accountability. Compensation is $52,000.

WFCF provides a benefit package that includes (subject to current Employee Handbook):

CSA SHARES: 20 week Summer + 10 week Flower + 3 week Extended Season 

Generous paid vacation, sick days, floating holidays, and personal days

Retirement benefits 

Cell phone and professional development stipends 

Coverage under WFCF’s health and dental insurance policies

To Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@communityfarms.org with “Development Director” in the subject line. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply ASAP. This position will be opened until filled. Visit link for or a full position description.

Waltham Fields Community Farm is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity, pregnancy or medical or common conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, marital status, disability, age, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, receipt of free medical care, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. Waltham Fields Community Farm will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.