Executive Director

ABOUT JOY GROWS

Joy Grows is leading a community-oriented agricultural movement in Annapolis, Maryland. We operate the Eastport Community Farm and a growing network of community garden sites in collaboration with leaders in public housing neighborhoods. Our work spans urban agriculture, youth programming, and neighborhood food distribution — building a replicable model for community food resiliency across the state.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Joy Grows has a working farm with a 4,000 square foot “community hub” greenhouse, active youth programs, and a growing network of partners and funders. We are now at the moment where skilled administrative leadership is essential so Founding Director Matthew Wallace can focus fully on site and program development. Our incoming ED will lead organizational growth from current operations toward a $250,000–500,000 budget, with a trajectory of $2 million budget. City, county, and state resources are being actively allocated to fund community agriculture and neighborhood food systems. Steps from the state capitol, Joy Grows is positioned to lead this movement.

THE ROLE

The ED coordinates the Joy Grows team and leads the organization toward its shared vision. This is a collaborative leadership role — not a top-down one. The ED organizes a broad network of staff, volunteers, board members, and partners, and works closely with the Program Director and Board Chair on financial and strategic decisions.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Board and Network Development — Develop a working board where each member owns a real function. Activate volunteers and community collaborators and connect people to purposeful roles. Planning and Scheduling — Own the organizational schedule two months ahead. Keep programming, farm operations, and community events running smoothly. Team Coordination — Set clear expectations, recognize strengths, and hold the team accountable with care. Partner Outreach and Communication — Foster collaboration with city partners, nonprofits, funders, and community stakeholders. Be a clear and trustworthy point of contact for everyone connected to Joy Grows. Fundraising — Lead grants, individual giving, sponsorships, and the annual appeal. Build funder relationships and make asks. Financial Oversight — Oversee budgeting and accounting with the bookkeeper and CPA. Ensure compliance with grant reporting, 990 filings, and IRS requirements. Administrative Infrastructure — Manage Salesforce CRM and organizational data. Stay current with nonprofit tools and emerging technology. Media and Brand — Oversee social media, outreach materials, and brand consistency. Delegate media creation to volunteers and collaborators. Organizational Accountability — Be the go-to person for issues or concerns. Maintain honest communication across the organization. Additional responsibilities include program evaluation, bilingual outreach coordination, and legal and compliance oversight.

WHO YOU ARE

Thoughtful — you listen before you act. Collaborative — you build with people, not for them. Inclusive — you make space for everyone in the room. Dedicated — people can count on you. Ambitious — you see this role as an opportunity to grow.

QUALIFICATIONS

We welcome candidates with a range of experience. Mission alignment, leadership potential, and commitment to personal development matter most. Required Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver on objectives Strong written and verbal communication Experience in a nonprofit, community organization, or mission-driven setting Comfort with financial documents — budgets, cash flow, income statements Fundraising or relationship management experience Valued Connections in the Annapolis Community Senior leadership or management experience Background in community development, urban agriculture, food systems, or youth programming Grant writing and reporting experienceSalesforce or CRM experience Spanish language skills Familiarity with Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, or the Maryland nonprofit landscape

COMPENSATION

Starting salary $55,000–75,000, commensurate with experience, with growth tied to organizational milestones. #J-18808-Ljbffr Maryland Nonprofits