Employment Opportunities

Director of Development & Marketing

Organizational Background

Kansas City Community Gardens (KCCG), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, works to empower low-income individuals, schools and community groups across the Kansas City metropolitan area to grow their own vegetables and fruit. Annually, we provide low-cost seeds and plants and free technical assistance to more than 800 garden and orchard sites and 3,400 home gardeners, helping to put fresh food on the table of more than 44,000 households.

Position Overview

The Director of Development and Marketing is an experienced non-profit professional who leads fundraising efforts for Kansas City Community Gardens. This individual works with the Executive Director and development team to plan and implement strategies to raise a $1.6 million annual operating budget and capital funds as needed. This includes government and foundation grants, major gifts, business sponsorships, individual giving, fundraising events and earned revenues. This position is also responsible for leading KCCG’s outreach and marketing functions.

The Director of Development and Marketing reports to the Executive Director and supervises a team that includes the Major Gifts Officer and Media Developer.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Develop and implement an annual development plan to fund KCCG’s $1.6 million operating budget
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, assess and plan capital and capacity building campaigns
• Work with the Executive Director to develop KCCG’s annual operating and program budgets
• Participate in the development and implementation of KCCG’s organization-wide strategic plan

Fundraising Duties & Development Team Management

• Lead research, cultivation, gift solicitation and stewardship activities for each funding stream (grants, major gifts, direct mail and digital campaigns, and corporate sponsorships)
• Manage an active portfolio of top-level donors
• Mentor, lead and supervise the Major Gifts Officer, determining appropriate donor portfolios and tasks
• Ensure that all application and reporting deadlines and requirements are met
• Lead staff and volunteers in the planning and execution of KCCG’s annual Gardens at Sunset gala
• Manage the development database and ensure timely gift acknowledgement
• Maintain documentation and oversee contract requirements for all grants and funding

Board & Community Relationships

• Develop relationships with members of KCCG’s Board of Directors; engage board members in the cultivation and stewardship of prospective and active donors.
• Attend Board of Directors and Executive Committee meetings, providing financial and fundraising reports; work in tandem with Board Treasurer to lead the Development Committee
• Recruit and lead the Gardens at Sunset event committee and volunteers

• Serve as a confident voice for KCCG at public-facing events and meetings; cultivate and steward relationships with key organizational partners

Marketing & Outreach

• Develop an annual marketing plan with key messaging and timelines for client, visitor and donor audiences
• Oversee branding and storytelling standards, ensuring that KCCG’s work is effectively and consistently communicated to the public
• Work with the Media Developer to plan and implement content for KCCG websites and social media channels
• Cultivate relationships with media contacts; participate in and coordinate media opportunities

Desired Qualifications

• 5+ years fundraising experience with demonstrated success in grant writing, major gifts and donor stewardship
• Experience in government grant writing and management, fundraising event management and capital campaigns preferred
• Established relationships and knowledge of the Kansas City philanthropic community
• Excellent relationship-building and personal communication skills
• High-level writing skills; demonstrated ability to tell an organization’s story in a compelling manner
• Experience in non-profit public relations and marketing preferred
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing a team of employees
• Proficient in database management and other basic software systems
• A passion for food justice and interest in community gardening!

This is a full-time exempt position. KCCG’s standard business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend hours required. KCCG is primarily an in-person work environment, with opportunity for limited remote work.

Reports to: Executive Director

Salary Range: $65,000 – $80,000

Benefits include:

Generous paid time off (including vacation days, holidays and winter break)

Employer-paid health insurance plan with annual HSA contribution

Optional dental, vision and life insurance benefits Retirement benefit with employer match

To Apply:

Please send cover letter, along with resume and writing sample, to Jennifer Meyer at jobs{at}kccg.org.

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

KCCG is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Retail Assistant

Organizational Background

Kansas City Community Gardens (KCCG), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, works to empower low-income individuals, schools and community groups across the Kansas City metropolitan area to grow their own vegetables and fruit. Annually, we provide low-cost seeds and plants and free technical assistance to more than 800 garden and orchard sites and 3,300 home gardeners, helping to put fresh food on the table of more than 44,000 households.

Position Overview

Retail Assistants serve customers at KCCG’s Swope Park headquarters. Duties include welcoming visitors when they arrive at KCCG, cashiering, signing people up for memberships, answering the phone, connecting people with KCCG’s different programs and resources, restocking, cleaning and carrying out other opening and closing protocols for the retail space.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Enroll Individual & Family Gardens program members
• Enroll rental plot gardeners
• Ring up plant, seed and supply purchases
• Restock seeds, supplies and educational literature
• Perform opening and/or closing duties, including stocking, cleaning and filling/emptying cash drawers
• Answer phone calls and direct customers to appropriate programs
• Facilitate tiller rentals and direct customers to self-service stations for bulky supplies such as compost and straw
• Build relationships with current gardeners to better understand and support KCCG’s mission

Additional Organizational Duties

• Assist with seed packaging
• Stock and organize outdoor plant sale area
• Other duties as assigned

Skills/Qualifications Required

• Ability to present friendly customer service to a diverse customer base, including during seasonal periods of fast-paced work and high customer volume
• Proficient use of Salesforce database software and Clover Point of Sale system
• Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing
• Ability to handle cash drawer transactions
• Ability to lift and carry 10 lbs.
• Ability to perform light cleaning duties
• Ability to perform light outdoor duties in varying weather conditions

Reports to

Office Manager

Job Classification

This is an hourly (non-exempt), seasonal position

Schedule & Work Environment

Retail assistants will work between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. during the core gardening season (February – October), with additional hours during the peak months of March, April and May. These may include extended Thursday evening hours (up to 6:15 p.m.) and Saturday hours (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).

We are currently seeking seasonal staff with availability to work 30+ hours per week during the peak spring season (mid-February through mid-June). Scheduling and availability will be discussed during the interview process. This is a fully on-site position and is not eligible for remote work.

KCCG seeks to hire a diverse staff and believes diversity and inclusion strengthen our communities and workplaces. KCCG does not discriminate based on race, gender identity, religion, age, ethnicity, disability, military status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status or citizenship status.

Salary Rate

$15/hour

To Apply

Please email resume and cover letter to jobs{at}kccg.org. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled.