About Food Exploration and Discovery (DBA: Food ED)

 Food ED is an innovative nonprofit located in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County. Food ED serves multiple school districts and cities cultivating healthy ecosystems through education and community partnerships by nurturing sustainable spaces such as community and school gardens, community composting, and health and nutrition education. Founded in 2020, the organization works to provide over 4,000 K-12 students with hands-on outdoor education and empowers thousands of residents to live healthier and more sustainable lives in their community workshops, gardens, and partnerships.

Today, Food ED is focused on expanding strategically to local school districts and city partners through community garden builds and management, workshops, and volunteer programs. Food ED also champions workforces’ development by providing a strong Climate Change Action Corps fellowship program to young adults seeking career pathways in creating a more resilient future. Food ED has grown quickly and continues to plant seeds while stewarding their strong roots. 

Our Mission 

At Food Exploration & Discovery, we cultivate healthy ecosystems through education and community partnerships by nurturing sustainable spaces in the San Gabriel Valley.

About the Board

Food ED is seeking dedicated, thoughtful individuals to serve on its Board of Directors.

Board Members play an important role in advancing the organization’s mission, providing strategic guidance and oversight, supporting organizational sustainability, and serving as ambassadors for the organization within the community.

This is a volunteer leadership position requiring a commitment to attend regular Board meetings, participate in committee work, and contribute expertise, relationships, resources, and perspective to support the organization’s continued impact.

We welcome candidates who are enthusiastic about our mission and interested in contributing their skills and experience to a collaborative and engaged Board.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Governance and Strategic Direction: Help establish organizational priorities and provide oversight that advances SJO’s mission and long-term sustainability.
2. Financial Oversight: Review and approve budgets, monitor financial performance, and support responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
3. Fundraising and Resource Development: Help secure financial support through personal giving, donor introductions, cultivation, sponsorship outreach, stewardship, and fundraising initiatives.
4. Ambassadorship and Community Engagement: Introduce SJO to new audiences, partners, and supporters, and communicate the value of its educational and artistic work.
5. Committee Participation: Contribute to committees, working groups, or specific board initiatives based on organizational needs and individual expertise.
6. Organizational Accountability: Help monitor organizational performance and ensure that programs and priorities remain aligned with SJO’s mission.
7. Legal and Ethical Stewardship: Uphold the Board’s fiduciary responsibilities, disclose conflicts of interest, maintain confidentiality, and support responsible governance.

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will bring:

• Passion for and commitment to the mission of Food Exploration and Discovery.
• Professional, volunteer, community, or lived experience that can contribute meaningfully to the organization’s work and governance.
• Leadership experience and sound judgment.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from a range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Willingness to contribute time, expertise, networks, and other resources in support of the organization.
• Integrity, accountability, and a commitment to responsible nonprofit governance.

Prior nonprofit board experience is welcome but not required.

Needed Areas of Experience

Our current recruitment priorities include:

• Environmental / sustainability sector: nonprofit, climate, sustainability, environmental education, conservation, food systems, or related field experience or relationships.
• Fundraising / development: donor cultivation, major gifts, institutional fundraising, sponsorships, development strategy, or philanthropy.
• Events / sponsorships: event strategy, corporate sponsorships, community events, or relationship-based fundraising.
• Legal: attorney or legal professional who could contribute perspective on governance, contracts, risk, employment, nonprofit law, or related matters.
• Government / public sector: experience or relationships with Los Angeles County, municipalities, elected offices, agencies, or regional government networks.
• Corporate / business: connections to corporations, banks, utilities, foundations, or businesses that could create sponsorship, partnership, funding, or volunteer opportunities.

Candidates are not expected to bring every qualification. We seek complementary strengths and a shared commitment to Food ED’s mission.

Board Commitment

Board members are expected to:

• Attend approximately 2 Board meetings per year.
• Participate on at least one Board committee or working group.
• Prepare for meetings by reviewing materials in advance.
• Participate in Board and organizational events as appropriate.
• Support fundraising and community engagement efforts.
• Serve an initial term of approximately three years.
• Make a personally meaningful financial contribution and/or support the organization’s fundraising expectations, if applicable.

How to Express Interest

We welcome individuals who are interested in learning more about serving on the Board of Food Exploration and Discovery.