Executive Director at High Desert Food and Farm Alliance
The High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA) is a non-profit whose mission is to support a healthy and thriving food and farm network in Central Oregon through education, collaboration and inclusivity. We meet our mission by fostering relationships between producers (farmers, ranchers and food businesses) and consumers, increasing awareness of and access to food from our region, and cultivating community participation with local food. We serve farmers, ranchers, food businesses, nonprofits and underserved families in the high desert region of Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties. We believe everyone deserves good food.
We offer three core focus areas:
Food Access (with programs in: Grow & Give, a fresh food donation and on-farm gleaning program; VeggieRx, a fresh vegetable and fruit prescription program; Fresh Harvest Kits, ready-to-prepare meals in a bag; Rural Food Security projects)
Agricultural Support for farmers and ranchers;
Consumer Education/Resources (including our annual online and print High Desert Food & Farm Directory).
About this opportunity
HDFFA is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization in alignment with its mission, vision, and values. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the nonprofit sector including operations and program management, budgeting, fundraising and development, grant writing, human resources, compliance, and community engagement.
A primary responsibility will be to secure and grow the organization’s funding base through robust development strategies, including grant writing, individual giving, major donor cultivation, corporate sponsorships, fundraising events and strategic partnerships. The Executive Director will lead efforts to build a sustainable and diversified revenue portfolio, with a strong focus on donor stewardship and long-term relationship building.
Who we are looking for
You have a strong understanding of nonprofit operations with a focus on big-picture thinking and organizational management. You’re excited to help shape HDFFA’s strategic vision and, most importantly, to secure the financial resources needed to sustain and grow its impact. You care deeply about food, farms, and people - and believe that everyone deserves access to good food. Community and relationships are at the heart of your work.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Oversight
Set the overall direction and tone for HDFFA, aligning organizational programs and activities with the mission, vision and strategic objectives.
Lead the creation and execution of a comprehensive, diversified fundraising and development strategy to support the organization’s short and long-term goals.
Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and accountability within the staff, board, and community partners.
Oversee organizational planning, risk management, and programming to ensure effective, ethical, and efficient functioning.
Serve as the primary ambassador of the organization, fostering, maintaining and strengthening key relationships with community stakeholders, funders, partners, and collaborators.
Fundraising and Development
Lead the organization’s financial development strategy, including cultivating donor relationships, overseeing fundraising initiatives, developing diversified funding streams, up and building pathways for sustainable revenue growth.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporate partners, and government funders.
Identify grant funding and take a leadership role in development and obtaining of grants.
Plan and oversee fundraising events and campaigns, ensuring they are mission-aligned and financially successful.
Engage and support the Board of Directors in fundraising efforts, including donor outreach and major gift cultivation.
Monitor fundraising performance and adjust strategies as needed to meet revenue targets and build long-term sustainability.
In partnership with the Communications Manager, develop compelling fundraising materials and campaigns that effectively communicate HDFFA’s mission, impact, and needs.
Financial Management
Develop, oversee and manage a $1.2 million budget including a diversified income portfolio and multiple local, state, federal and foundation grants.
Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent financial reporting to the Board, funders, and relevant stakeholders.
Support fundraising and grant management by aligning financial planning with development strategies and ensuring proper tracking and reporting of restricted funds.
Oversee contracts and grant agreements to ensure financial obligations are met and deliverables are aligned with organizational capacity.
Ensure ethical financial practices and fiscal responsibility across all operations and programs.
Human Resources and Operations
Provide strategic leadership for all aspects of human resources, ensuring strong systems and practices for hiring, onboarding, and staff development in partnership with senior leadership and consultants.
Ensure organizational compliance with employment laws, workplace safety regulations, and HR best practices.
Supervise senior staff and maintain effective organizational structure and staffing to achieve programmatic and strategic goals.
Board Governance and Development:
Partner with the Board of Directors to ensure strong governance practices and alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic goals.
Foster a productive, collaborative relationship between staff and Board members.
Assist in the recruitment, orientation, and ongoing engagement of a diverse and skilled Board of Directors.
Qualifications
5+ years of demonstrated senior leadership experience in the nonprofit sector.
Proven leadership abilities with experience in managing, retaining, and motivating staff and fostering a healthy team culture.
Demonstrated experience in fundraising, grant writing, donor cultivation, and revenue generation, with a strong ability to build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders.
Extensive experience in financial management, including overseeing organizational budgets and fiscal oversight.
Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to serve as a compelling spokesperson and relationship-builder across sectors.
Comfort with data-driven decision-making, including program evaluation, impact reporting, and using data to tell the story of HDFFA’s work.
Experience working with or supporting a Board of Directors in nonprofit governance and strategic planning.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing dignity and belonging principles within organizational culture, programs, partnerships, and leadership practices.
Ability to identify and mitigate risks related to financial, legal, operational, and reputational matters to protect HDFFA’s interests and assets.
Preferred Qualifications
A deep understanding or lived connection to farming, food access, or agricultural communities.
Experience working in collaboration with farmers, food producers, tribal communities, food access organizations, and/or public health partners.
Knowledge of relevant local, regional, or national food system landscapes and current challenges facing farmers and food access programs.
Familiarity with public policy and advocacy efforts related to food justice, land access, or agricultural equity.
Experience navigating USDA or other government grant programs, including compliance, reporting, and strategic use of funds.
Knowledge of land justice, food sovereignty and/or Indigenous food systems.
Proficiency in Spanish.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. With or without reasonable accommodation, the Executive Director must be able to:
Sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer, attending meetings, or conducting public presentations.
Occasionally lift and transport items up to 25 pounds, such as printed materials, event supplies, or equipment.
Use standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and phones, for prolonged periods.
Attend and participate in indoor and outdoor events, including in variable weather conditions and on uneven terrain.
Travel throughout Central Oregon using a personal vehicle for meetings, events, and partner engagement.
Valid Oregon Driver’s license within 30 days of hire; the candidate will need to provide a 5- year motor vehicle record obtained through DMV2U - Login (oregon.gov) that includes no license suspensions or major violations in the last five years.
Benefits include:
Health and vision insurance (100% covered by HDFFA) after 30 days of employment with EAP
Dental insurance (50% covered by HDFFA) after 30 days of employment
Generous paid time off including: 15 vacation days, 10 paid holidays and 5 sick days
Winter office closure typically between Christmas and New Years (exact dates vary annually)
Fully vested SIMPLE IRA contribution of 2% after 90 days of employment
Annual cost of living increase
Professional development opportunities
Amazing team to work with!
Commitment to Inclusive Hiring Practices
The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translates directly to our openings.
HDFFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer that abides by federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or national origin; or their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities.
Operations - Bend, Oregon (Hybrid)
Link to job posting: https://hdffa.bamboohr.com/careers/31