City Fruit harvests from and stewards urban fruit trees
to support sustainable and equitable access to fruit.
Organization Overview
Urban fruit trees are a valuable community resource. City Fruit started because tree owners did not have the avenues to share excess fruit and community members were not aware that they could harvest from public orchards. We help tree owners grow healthy fruit, provide assistance in harvesting and preserving fruit, promote the sharing of extra fruit with neighbors, and work to protect public fruit trees.
City Fruit started in late 2008 when founder Gail Savina organized a group of like-minded people who were interested in trying to redirect Seattle’s excess fruit from waste. City Fruit now manages this incredible resource holistically, focusing on education, stewardship, food policy, and sustainability, in addition to the harvesting and equitable distribution of the fruit.
Industry
City Fruit is a nonprofit organization that sits at the junction of where environmental stewardship, food security, equity, and community building coalesce. We do what we can to protect our urban canopy environment, provide fresh fruit to those in need, support underserved communities, and bring together local communities around the resources that surround them to form bonds with this precious resource.
City Fruit Board of Directors
The City Fruit Board of Directors comprises a variety of diverse leaders from the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, each with a unique background for how they joined City Fruit and became dedicated to the organization’s mission. Our board members champion the goals of the organization and sit on Committees that encompass their interest in how to help City Fruit. In addition to the standard roles and responsibilities of a board member, our board members are active fundraisers and strategists for the organization and are committed to helping out the org with the skills they bring, and in identifying and securing the financial resources and relationships necessary for City Fruit to advance its mission. We believe in the importance of exceptional board leadership and believe that each and every organization needs a strong and effective board to fully realize its potential for good.
Position Title: Board Member
Board Member Role & Responsibilities:
City Fruit Board membership carries with it a commitment to a 3 year term on the Board of Directors, followed by additional terms as they choose. Board Members typically hold a meeting every other month on Wednesdays from 7-9 pm, carry out 2 or more fundraising campaigns per year, and sit on a Board Committee that best fits with their interest. Serving on the City Fruit Board of Directors is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about taking a natural resource of our city, providing it to those in need, and protecting it for future generations for years to come. Members have become involved with City Fruit with different passions in mind, and as a whole we work to the betterment of these important efforts.
• Board members are expected to have or be willing to gain the financial acumen to read and understand City Fruit’s financial statements and to otherwise help the board fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities as is common for all Board positions.
• Board members are expected to attend the 6-7 meetings per year, as well as signature organizational events when able, such as City Fruit Celebrates held each Fall.
• They are expected to read any board materials sent out in advance of board meetings and to come prepared to ask questions and participate in discussions as necessary.
• Board members are expected to play an active role in securing the financial resources necessary for City Fruit to achieve its mission. Typically, this means they leverage personal relationships and connections to help identify and solicit potential funders, or they directly invest in City Fruit’s work by making a personal contribution each year (or a combination of both).
• Board members are expected to responsibly represent City Fruit to their respective communities and to advocate for the org’s mission, programs, and services as appropriate.
Desired Skills & Expertise
City Fruit is committed to equality and believes in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin and all the characteristics that make us beautifully different, and are seeking candidates that support and represent this worldview. We are currently recruiting for leaders with expertise in the following area:
Human Resources/People Leadership
City Fruit seeks an experienced HR professional to assist the Board and staff with people-centered strategies and leadership regarding hiring, retention, wage rates, benefits, and overall compliance knowledge with our evolving Seattle employment laws.
Finance & Budget Leadership
City Fruit seeks an experienced Finance professional with a background in tracking budgets and cash flows, providing financial projections, and if needed, helping to explain these aspects in a relatable way to your fellow Board members. The organization has a Treasurer role that is currently filled, but an individual applying with this background should have interest in taking on this role at a future time once they feel they have an understanding of the organization’s finances.
Marketing & Communications Leadership
City Fruit seeks an experienced MarCom professional who is driven by finding new and creative ways to both market the organization’s good work to develop our follower and contributor base, as well as assist staff with crafting potential campaign and communication strategies.
Apply
To apply, please send an email of interest with an attached resume to [email protected]. We look forward to reviewing your submission on a rolling basis, at which point someone will be in contact with you to discuss the opportunity if you meet one of the skill sets listed above. Thank you!