Executive Director

Launched in 2020, Homegrown National Park® (HNP) is a massive cooperative conservation movement that engages and mobilizes anyone with a flowerpot, lawn, garden, woodlot, ranch, farm, or campus to plant and preserve native species and remove invasives to support the plants and animals that are essential for human survival.

This grassroots call-to-action will regenerate biodiversity by restoring healthy habitats on millions of acres of private land—creating large interconnected ecological networks outside of parks and preserves. HNP has a unique focus on reaching those unaware of the biodiversity crisis – an enormous and diverse population – while working and collaborating with aligned businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other entities with aligned missions. HNP is the largest cooperative conservation project ever conceived or attempted and has an initial goal of adding 20 million acres of native plantings in the U.S. This represents approximately half of the green lawns of privately-owned properties. Ultimately, HNP’s  target is that all privately held land will include native plantings.

HNP’s 2023 budget is $700,000 and the organization is currently run by its volunteer Board and a geographically dispersed group of six dedicated, mission-driven consultants.  Since its founding by Doug Tallamy and Michelle Alfandari, over 25,000 individuals have registered on the map on HNP’s website as “fireflies,” indicating the native plants they have added to their landscape.  The HNP map is an interactive community-based visual that shows each person’s contribution to planting natives and provides a way for individuals to see their part in the greater whole – creating new ecological networks and restoring biodiversity.

• • To learn more visit homegrownnationalpark.org.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION

HNP now seeks to hire an experienced, energetic and creative Executive Director to grow this start-up nonprofit into the mighty organization needed to achieve its critical mission: to regenerate biodiversity, ecosystem function and a healthy habitat by cultivating the native plants that are essential for the survival of animal and human life and encouraging people around the globe to start a new HABITAT® – changing the habit of how we see ourselves in relationship to nature from adversarial to synergistic and changing ideas of what a beautiful landscape is from dead scape lawns to native planted landscapes, meadows and prairies.

HNP seeks a passionate, innovative, energetic, and experienced leader to grow this potent organization from start-up to the next level with the urgency the biodiversity crisis demands. HNP operates as a virtual organization, and is currently run by the co-founders and the Board of Directors supported by a dedicated team of independent contractors. The team is highly creative and collaborative and works best with a leader who is open, flexible, decisive, and a clear communicator. The Executive Director will report to the Board, work closely with the co-founders, supervise the current team and eventually additional staff, and ensure that HNP is fiscally and administratively sound, and that its infrastructure, programs, and activities are well managed and balanced.

The Executive Director will engender the trust and confidence of the Board, staff, participants, partners, and donors as well as the greater public. The Executive Director will ensure that programs and activities maintain high levels of quality, outreach and participation, and visibility and reputation while continuing to strengthen and safeguard internal systems, processes, and policies that support and inspire the staff.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director will:

• Create and execute a fundraising plan to stabilize and expand the organization to achieve its long-term goals; serving as the top HNP fundraiser, the ED will work closely with the Board members and development consultants;
• Develop and administer annual budgets; manage and oversee monthly finances to ensure sufficient operating cash to meet financial obligations;
• Establish short and long-term strategy, program goals, and objectives in collaboration with the Board of Directors;
• Manage operational tasks including those associated with 501c3 compliance and not-for-profit status;
• Support board governance, including working with relevant board leadership to expand membership as it transitions from a “working board” to a governing and fundraising board;
• Lead a team of six part- and full-time independent consultants; develop a high-functioning environment where staff are supported, engaged, and can grow; as funding is available, execute the growth strategy described in the strategic plan to create new full-time positions; and develop required human resource policies and procedures;
• Serve as liaison between HNP and leaders in the national and international environmental movement, and represent the organization in a variety of settings; serve as the main contact with the organization’s allies, from the grassroots constituency to government stakeholders, peer institutions, programmatic partners, and the general public;
• Protect and leverage HNP’s intellectual property, including tracking trademark registrations, recommending new filings, and determining protective use of IP by others;
• Ensure effective and sensitive outreach to a broad range of community groups and organizations;
• Oversee the organization’s social media efforts across all platforms; and
• Engage in minimal travel as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will bring:

• A demonstrated track record in fundraising and experience in finance, human resources, and non-profit administration;
• A commitment to environmental action and the urgency of HNP’s mission;
• A proven track record raising funds including success with major individual and institutional donors and online fundraising;
• Significant organizational leadership experience, including financial management, strategic planning, program development, risk management, and operations;
• A minimum of three years’ experience managing staff and supporting their professional and personal development;
• A collaborative management style with demonstrated ability to work well with an engaged Board of Directors;
• Familiarity with social media as a campaign tool as well as CRM, Google Docs, and other tech apps and platforms;
• Strong communication skills, particularly excellent presentation and writing skills; and
• A high tolerance for risk, a positive attitude, an appetite for innovation and a sense of humor.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• Total compensation is $100K to $150K depending on experience. As a start-up nonprofit HNP does not currently offer health insurance or other benefits with the exception of vacation and sick leave.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should click "Apply" below to email a cover letter detailing interest and a résumé. The position will be kept open until filled.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Homegrown National Park is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or domestic partner status, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, medical condition, genetic information or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.