Overview
Executive Director Jobs in Virginia, USA at Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Virginia Association for Biological Farming
VABF is a collective of farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, food activists, and food systems players that advocate and promote biological and organic farming practices. VABF believes that biological and ecological practices are critical to sustainable food production, healthy soils, healthy, real, chemical‑free food, and robust food systems. By engaging in partnerships and collaborations across the state of Virginia, we are working to connect and support agricultural communities to a healthy, regenerative and sustainable future.
We strive for diversity to be a guiding tenet of our organization. We envision farmers, consumers, and food entrepreneurs of all backgrounds to be fully represented in our membership and leadership, and throughout organic, biological, and local agriculture in Virginia.
Position
The Executive Director (ED) for VABF serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of the organization. In partnership with the Board of Directors, the ED advances the mission, ensures financial sustainability, builds strong community partnerships, and oversees and executes daily operations. This role requires a visionary leader who is equally comfortable in the field, in the community, and in front of funders—someone passionate about grassroots agriculture, Virginia’s food systems, and collaborative leadership.
Job Duties Financial Ingenuity
We are looking for a leader who brings a resourceful, mission‑first approach to financing the work of sustainable agriculture advocacy, someone skilled at stretching resources, securing in‑kind support, and diversifying revenue streams to ensure VABF’s long‑term financial health.
- Research, develop, and execute a long‑term diversified revenue plan for the organization—including, at a minimum, individual donors, sponsor ships, membership, grants, etc.
- Identify and pursue grant opportunities aligned with VABF’s advocacy, education, and member and farmer support programs.
- Review and revamp VABF’s sponsorship packages and membership program.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Our executive director should be a self‑starter who thrives in the ambiguity of a growing organization. We are looking for someone who can spot opportunities to advance VABF’s mission, brings energy and creativity to building programs and partnerships, and isn’t afraid to propose new approaches to expand the reach of biological farming in Virginia.
- Design and launch new programs from scratch—ensuring programmatic and financial stability for the organization.
- Identify emerging opportunities to connect our members and Virginia biological farmers with partners that will address their most pressing challenges.
- Manage day‑to‑day operations for the organization— with a strategy and execution focus.
Communication & Storytelling
A compelling communicator who can translate the importance of biological farming into language that moves donors, engages the public, and rallies partners. Confident in speaking to large groups and external organizations, and skilled at crafting written materials that inspire action and build VABF’s credibility and visibility.
- Create messaging campaigns in partnership with partner organizations to advance the mission of VABF, our members, and biological farmers.
- Represent VABF externally to legislators, national advocacy organizations, the public, and partners—serving as the primary voice and face of the organization.
- Produce written communications that mobilize members—including legislative writing campaigns, policy feedback tools, farmer and consumer engagement content, and more.
- Deepen communication efforts across the state and engage our network to create a more robust and consistent campaign to enhance branding and visibility.
Network Building
Adept at rapidly cultivating meaningful relationships with farmers, donors, community leaders, partner organizations, and prospective board members—able to open doors and build trust on behalf of VABF even without an existing platform to lean on.
- Build and manage an overarching partnership framework connecting VABF with organizations across the farming continuum—from sales and marketing to policy and workforce…
Title: Executive Director
Company: Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Location: Virginia, USA
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