Community Fundraiser

Location: 6825 E. Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80224

Start Date: Flexible, latest start July 1st, 2024

Salary: $50,000 – $55,000 depending on experience

Employment Type: Full-time

Supervised By: Executive Director

 

About Ekar:

Located in the heart of the neighborhood of Lowry in Denver, Ekar Farm is a 2-acre, organic

production, education, and demonstration farm. Rooted in the Jewish values of social equity,

justice, and interconnectedness, Ekar serves as a model for connecting a multi-cultural

community to the earth and as a catalyst for economic development, hunger relief, community pride, sustainability, and ecologically restorative agricultural practices. Just over an acre is cultivated for donation to food pantries, early learning centers, a WIC immigrant CSA, and a Native Elder food share program. 

We are guided by our mission:

Ekar Farm and Community Gardens is a communal urban farm, inspired by Jewish values. We

work to build community, provide experiential and environmental education, and grow

sustainably produced fruits and vegetables, expanding access to those in need.

Job Description:

Ekar’s Community Fundraiser plays a critical leadership role in the organization, overseeing all fundraising efforts including but not limited to events, capital campaigns, seasonal campaigns, donor program creation and implementation, mailers, and sponsorships.  Additionally, the Community Fundraiser will work closely with the Executive Director to seek out and apply for foundational, public, private, and government grants and other funding opportunities. 

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is someone deeply committed to our mission of fostering sustainable agriculture and building an inclusive community. This individual should possess a proven track record in fundraising or related fields, showcasing their ability to effectively engage donors and meet financial goals. A strong communicator with exceptional interpersonal skills, the ideal candidate will be adept at conveying the significance of Ekar Farm’s work and inspiring support. Familiarity with fundraising tools, project management, and a genuine passion for community development are key attributes we’re looking for. Ekar Farm, as a 501c3 nonprofit, values diversity and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds who share our dedication to creating positive change through sustainable practices and community engagement. If you are ready to contribute your skills and enthusiasm to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply and join us in cultivating a better future together.

 

Areas of Responsibility:

Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to meet annual financial goals.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners.
Plan and execute fundraising events, campaigns, and initiatives to engage and expand our donor base.
Research and identify potential funding sources, grants, and sponsorship opportunities. 
Create compelling fundraising materials.
Utilize various fundraising platforms and technology to streamline donation processes.
Provide regular reports on fundraising progress, donor engagement, and financial goals.
Collaborate with the Executive Director on grants. 
Education & Experience:

We welcome applicants with varying levels of experience provided you display the skills required to execute the job described above.

Qualifications

Leader and self-starter, with a proven track record of successful fundraising. 
Organized and detail-oriented, able to execute on multiple projects and tasks.
An interest in farming, food justice, the environment, spirituality, and community connection — and an ability to convey our mission and value to a broad audience of prospective donors, sponsors, and the general public. 
Experience writing grant proposals and reports and managing a grant schedule. 
Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to collaborate well with a range of partners, teammates, and other stakeholders across economic, racial, and religious differences. Passion for connecting and building community.
Comfortable and effective working independently and as a member of a team in both leadership and supporting roles. Confident giving and receiving feedback in the workplace.  
Proficient in Excel. Experience tracking budget expenses, fundraising platforms (GiveButter), QuickBooks, Canva, etc. 
Experience in marketing, content creation, social media, promotion. 
Strong verbal and written communication skills with a willingness to learn, teach, and grow. 
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
Working Conditions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with differing abilities:

Typing, writing, reading, hearing, and speaking
Early morning or late evenings depending on programs, events, and farm needs
Standing and walking for several hours inside and outside, as well as sitting, squatting, crawling, climbing, and lifting up to 30 pounds
 

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt employee position at 40 hours/week. Salary range is $50,000 -$55,000 depending on experience. The organization provides ongoing professional development, 15 days paid vacation (at one year of employment), 6 days per year sick time, and 18 paid Federal and Jewish holidays. Ekar does not at this time provide employer paid group health insurance and may do so in the future, although we do provide a $200 per month health benefits stipend. 

Schedule
General hours are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday  – Friday. This position requires some evenings and weekend work (Sunday’s only). Flexibility in this position’s schedule is required based on events, donor meetings, and evening gatherings on and off the farm. 

How to Apply

We deeply value the diversity of insight, perspective, and experience brought by people from diverse backgrounds. This includes Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian people, LGBTQ, gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities, Black Jews, Jews of Color, Sephardi and Mizrachi Jews. We also welcome applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds. Ekar is an equal opportunity employer.  

This position is open until filled. Please send a resume and cover letter that explains how your skill set can elevate Ekar’s work in our community and how your experience relates to this position’s areas of responsibilities to the Executive Director Jason Plotkin at jason@ekarfarm.org.