Description

PDF of Job Description

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as Sustainable Montana’s first employee and the operational backbone of our growing organization. Fundraising is the central responsibility of this role: the Executive Director will lead grant research and writing, donor cultivation, and revenue-generating programs that fund everything else we do. The position also manages day-to-day operations, advances our program priorities, builds community partnerships, and serves as the organization’s primary ambassador.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will turn our vision into action. This is a unique opportunity for someone who believes in community resilience and sustainable living to help build something meaningful from the ground up.

• Position Type: Part-time, salaried (approximately 20 hours per week, with flexible scheduling)
• Location: Remote — open to candidates located anywhere in Montana. Our Board of Directors operates out of Billings, Montana. Some in-state travel is required.
• Reports To: Board of Directors
• Classification: Exempt (Salaried)
• Compensation: $30,000 – $40,000 annually, depending on experience

As a small and growing nonprofit, we anticipate this role may expand into a full-time position as fundraising efforts succeed.

Primary Responsibilities

Fundraising & Financial Stewardship (Primary Focus)

Fundraising is the foundation of this role. Without sustainable revenue, we cannot carry out our mission — all other responsibilities are secondary to building and maintaining the organization’s funding base.

• Research, write, and submit grant applications aligned with Sustainable Montana’s mission.
• Maintain grant calendars, deadlines, reporting requirements, and supporting documentation.
• Build and manage a donor pipeline, including individual donors, businesses, and community supporters.
• Lead donor cultivation, stewardship, acknowledgments, and impact reporting.
• Plan and execute annual fundraising campaigns, including year-end giving and special appeals.
• Support revenue-generating activities including the Montana custom license plate program and online sales.
• Assist in developing and monitoring the annual budget in partnership with the Treasurer and Board.
• Maintain accurate financial records and provide regular financial and fundraising updates to the Board.
• Manage an organizational expense account responsibly, including accurate tracking, documentation, and reporting of all expenditures.

Organizational Leadership & Operations

• Serve as the primary day-to-day manager of Sustainable Montana’s operations, reporting directly to the Board of Directors.
• Implement board-approved strategic plans, goals, and policies.
• Support board meetings by preparing agendas, materials, and follow-up communications.
• Ensure compliance with all nonprofit regulations, filings, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain organizational records, policies, and documentation.
• Work from a Board-established list of project priorities, tracking progress and logging hours through the organization’s project tracking system.
• Provide monthly written reports to the Board, with more frequent check-ins during active events or campaigns.

Program Development & Management

• Advance active programs including emergency food kit sales and distribution.
• Advance the organization’s four priority goals: growing food and animals, building a long-term food supply, developing a sustainable neighborhood, and providing personal care kits to those in need.
• Identify and cultivate partnerships with landowners, volunteers, community organizations, and local government across Montana.
• Track program outcomes and report progress to the Board and funders.

Volunteer & Event Management

• Recruit, onboard, schedule, and retain volunteers in support of programs, fundraising, and events.
• Build and maintain volunteer systems, including tracking, training, communication, and recognition.
• Plan, organize, and execute organizational events — including fundraising events, community outreach, volunteer workdays, and program activities — from concept through follow-up.
• Coordinate event logistics such as venues, permits, vendors, supplies, promotion, and day-of staffing.
• Help the Board structure and formalize new events and volunteer initiatives as they are identified.
• Evaluate event outcomes and volunteer engagement, reporting results to the Board.

Community Outreach & Communications
Serve as Sustainable Montana’s primary spokesperson and ambassador statewide.

• Manage and grow the organization’s social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) and website.
• Develop fundraising, program, and stewardship content for email, social media, website, and print materials.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, local government, and media.
• Represent Sustainable Montana at community events, meetings, and public forums.

Requirements

Qualifications
Required

• Must reside in Montana.
• Demonstrated fundraising experience, with a portfolio or track record of grants secured, campaigns run, or donor relationships developed.
• Genuine passion for sustainability, food security, community resilience, or related causes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.   
• Ability to work independently and self-manage time and priorities with minimal supervision.
• Experience building relationships with community members, partners, or stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a startup-style environment where flexibility and initiative are essential.
• Basic proficiency with email, Google Workspace or Microsoft Office, and social media platforms.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding Board deliberations, donor information, financial records, and all other sensitive organizational information.
• Willingness and ability to travel within Montana as needed.
• Experience recruiting, coordinating, or managing volunteers.
• Experience planning and executing events, including logistics and day-of coordination.
• Ability to responsibly manage an expense account, including accurate record-keeping and timely reporting.

Preferred

• Experience in nonprofit management, program coordination, or community organizing.
• Experience managing annual giving campaigns or institutional fundraising.
• Experience with a donor CRM or fundraising database.
• Knowledge of sustainable agriculture, food systems, or emergency preparedness.
• Experience supporting or working with a volunteer board of directors.
• Familiarity with Montana communities and their networks.

Employment Requirements

• Employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current auto insurance in order to travel within Montana.

Desired Characteristics
The ideal candidate is:

• Mission-driven and relationship-oriented.
• Organized, proactive, and dependable.
• Comfortable working independently in a remote environment.
• Curious and eager to build systems where none exist yet.
• Discreet and trustworthy with confidential information.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and willing to contribute wherever needed in a small nonprofit.

Click here to complete our online application form.