Context

The Common Market is a nationally recognized nonprofit social enterprise working to build a more resilient and equitable food system – one that nourishes communities, strengthens local economies, and uplifts small and mid-scale family farms. Through regional hubs in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Houston, Chicago, and beyond, The Common Market connects values-driven farmers with schools, hospitals, and community institutions, creating supply chains that serve both people and planet. Backed by visionary partners, including The Rockefeller Foundation, major healthcare systems, and schools and universities, The Common Market has demonstrated that values-based procurement can transform regional economies and improve community health at scale.

Now, as the organization enters its next phase of growth, The Common Market is making a bold investment in philanthropy. The Vice President for Development will serve as the organization’s first dedicated executive leader for fundraising, tasked with defining how philanthropy and earned revenue work together to accelerate systems change. This is not a maintenance role; it is a rare opportunity to shape a national funding strategy for one of the most innovative food systems enterprises in the country.

Reporting to the co-founders and partnering closely with regional executive directors, the Vice President will help unify national and local fundraising efforts, refine systems and routines, and elevate The Common Market’s voice among funders and peers. The ideal candidate will bring both strategic acumen and entrepreneurial spirit. This leader sees philanthropy as catalytic capital and fundraising as a powerful act of partnership. This is an extraordinary opportunity to join a high-impact, mission-driven team at a moment when the demand for resilient, values-based food systems has never been greater.

Role Description

As a core member of The Common Market’s leadership team, the Vice President for Development inspires and mobilizes the organization and its funders to invest in a resilient, equitable food system that builds the health and wealth of all people.

This leader champions philanthropy as catalytic capital that bridges innovation, government investment, and market sustainability. They ensure philanthropy works in concert with earned revenue to accelerate systems change, serving as a strategic lever rather than a parallel stream. They translate The Common Market’s thought leadership into compelling invitations for investment and partnership, and they build coherence across national and regional fundraising through shared standards, disciplined routines, and accountability for results.

In doing so, the Vice President for Development ensures that philanthropy becomes a driving force for a resilient food future: one where local farmers thrive, communities are nourished, and systems are transformed.

Candidate Profile

The ideal Vice President for Development is a strategist, coach, and connector who brings both vision and structure to the work. They see the big picture – how philanthropy, food systems, and community impact intersect – and turn that understanding into clear priorities and action. They balance strategy with execution, moving easily between high-level thinking and hands-on problem solving.

They lead through partnership, not ego, believing that great fundraising happens through collaboration and shared success. They build rhythm and structure for the team: routines, accountability, and focus that keep everyone moving forward. They listen deeply, communicate with empathy, and know when to step forward or step back to help others shine.

Curious and entrepreneurial, this person thrives in an evolving, mission-driven environment. They bring a “whatever-it-takes” energy grounded in discipline and focus. A skilled and persistent fundraiser, they close major commitments with integrity, manage complex portfolios, and use data and systems as tools for insight. As a trusted advisor to the co-founders and leadership team, they amplify The Common Market’s thought leadership and help position it as a sector leader in values-based procurement and food-systems innovation.

Snapshot of the Ideal Candidate

Strategic Integrator: Connects philanthropy, food systems, and community impact; balances big-picture vision with practical execution.
Collaborative Coach: Leads through partnership, builds confidence across regional teams, and celebrates collective success.
Relationship Builder: Engages with empathy and curiosity, building authentic trust with funders and partners.
Entrepreneurial Operator: Adapts quickly, balances creativity with accountability, and turns ideas into results.
Results-Driven Fundraiser: Closes major gifts, manages high-value portfolios, and uses data for learning and accountability.
Trusted Partner: Advises co-founders and leadership, amplifying The Common Market’s influence and voice.
Professional Foundation: 5 - 10+ years in philanthropy, social-enterprise fundraising, or related sales-based work; experience leading distributed teams and securing seven-figure commitments; background in food systems or health equity a plus.

POSITION DESCPRITION

Fundraising Leadership

Defines and reinforces The Common Market’s approach to philanthropy as catalytic capital, complementing its earned-revenue model.
Partners with senior leadership to align fundraising priorities with national and regional goals.
Guides decisions on which opportunities to pursue, balancing mission alignment, capacity, and strategic fit.
Serves as a thought partner to the co-founders, amplifying their leadership and supporting key national and chapter-level relationships.
Integrates philanthropy with communications, impact, and sales strategies to ensure consistent messaging across all revenue channels.
Represents The Common Market externally to funders and networks, positioning the organization as a trusted partner in systems-change philanthropy.

Fundraising Management

Oversees a nationally integrated, prioritized Master Prospect List encompassing national and chapter portfolios.
Establishes and maintains systems and routines for prospect strategy, pipeline reviews, and performance tracking.
Ensures consistent data quality and use of Salesforce as a tool for insight and accountability.
Builds the fundraising team’s capacity by providing tools, coaching, and frameworks that strengthen effectiveness across markets.
Tracks performance against shared goals, ensuring alignment between regional fundraising outcomes and national strategy.

Fundraising Execution

Manages a personal portfolio of high-capacity prospects, including individuals, foundations, and corporations.
Partners with Chapter Executive Directors on regional prospects and with co-founders on national relationships.
Achieves both personal and team revenue goals, advancing multi-year philanthropic partnerships.
Uses storytelling, data, and results to inspire investment and deepen funder engagement.
Fundraising Infrastructure and Support
Oversees the Director of Development Services and ensures integration of CRM, finance, and reporting systems.
Leads refinement of fundraising materials, metrics, and dashboards that inform decision-making and external communication.
Ensures that systems and tools reinforce collaboration between philanthropy and sales functions.
Promotes a culture of gratitude, transparency, and continuous learning within the development function.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MA/MBA/philanthropy certificate) highly preferred.
At least 10 years of progressive experience in fundraising/advancement or social‐enterprise revenue roles; ideally 5+ years at a senior leadership level (director, associate VP, VP) in a nonprofit or mission‐driven organization.
Proven track record of securing seven‐figure philanthropic commitments (foundations, corporate, major donors) and building a strong major gifts pipeline.
Experience leading and managing a distributed or regional development team (multiple geographies or chapters) with accountability for results.
Experience in integration of philanthropy with other revenue streams (earned/revenue‐generating, public funding) or in a social enterprise context is strongly preferred.
Prior experience in food systems, agriculture, health equity, or place-based community impact is a plus.

Location & Travel

Based in one of the following: Philadelphia (PA), Atlanta (GA), Houston (TX) or Chicago (IL).
Some travel required (regional chapters, national events, donor meetings) — likely 20-30% (or more) depending on fundraising calendar.

Other Requirements

Ability to work in a fast-growing, mission‐driven social enterprise environment, comfortable bridging both nonprofit and earned‐revenue models.
Strong familiarity with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred), pipeline management, and data analytics for fundraising.
Demonstrated ethical standards and integrity in fundraising practices.
Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and a values-based procurement/local food systems mission.

The Common Market

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