Join the Board of Green Thumbs Growing Kids

Position: Volunteer Board Member
Organization: Green Thumbs Growing Kids (GTGK)
Location: Regent Park, Toronto, Ontario
Commitment: Approximately 10–15 hours per month
Term: Two years, renewable once for a maximum of four years

Organization is a Registered Charity 80696 2353 RR0001.

For more than 25 years, Green Thumbs Growing Kids (GTGK) has cultivated environmental stewardship through hands-on garden and food education for urban children, youth, and their communities.

We are currently seeking passionate, committed volunteers to join our working Board of Directors and help guide the next stage of GTGK’s growth and impact.

Why join the GTGK Board?

A recipient of the Toronto Community Champion Award, GTGK advocates for a garden in every school.

Our school garden programs give children and youth opportunities to grow native trees, fruits and vegetables, learn about worm composting, explore food literacy, spend time outdoors, and develop a deeper understanding of how to care for the environment.

As a GTGK Board member, you will:

• Help create meaningful impact for children, youth, schools, and communities.
• Play a substantive role in the growth and direction of a grassroots organization that punches above its weight.
• Build governance, leadership, fundraising, and community-engagement skills.
• Connect with fellow Board members, community partners, supporters, and friends of GTGK.
• Receive opportunities for learning and Board development.

What being on our Board involves

GTGK is a working board. Directors help set strategic priorities and actively contribute to carrying them forward.

Board members are expected to:

• Commit approximately 10–15 hours per month.
• Attend monthly Board meetings, which are primarily virtual.
• Actively participate in Board projects and committees.
• Represent GTGK at community events when possible.
• Serve as ambassadors and champions for GTGK.
• Participate meaningfully in fundraising activities and events.
• Contribute to strategic and succession planning.
• Support governance responsibilities, including Executive Director performance review and contract renewal and, when required, HR matters.

Fundraising is a shared responsibility of every Board member.

You may be a great fit if you care about children and youth, environmental education, school food, food literacy, gardening, outdoor learning, community-building—or all of the above.

We are currently recruiting for the following roles

1. Director of Fundraising – Grant Writing Experience

Co-chairs the Fundraising and Communications Committee and helps strengthen GTGK’s fundraising capacity.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in:

• Grant writing and grant strategy.
• Foundation, government, and institutional funding.
• Donor engagement.
• Developing and implementing fundraising campaigns.
• Identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities.

Experience with small charitable organizations is an asset.

2. Director of Individual Donor Experience & Stewardship

A member of the Fundraising and Communications Committee who helps ensure donors have a meaningful and engaging relationship with GTGK.

Responsibilities include:

• Welcoming and communicating with new donors.
• Conducting annual check-ins with loyal monthly donors.
• Helping strengthen individual donor relationships and stewardship.
• Supports donor database management.

Knowledge of donor stewardship strategies or donor bequests is an asset.

3. Director of Marketing & Communications -Social Media Communications Experience

Co-chairs the Marketing and Communications Working Group and helps strengthen GTGK’s profile, storytelling, and community engagement.

We are looking for someone with:

• A background or strong interest in marketing or communications.
• Excellent writing and messaging skills.
• An interest in supporting fundraising and community outreach.
• Experience engaging with community partners or media.
• Write engaging copy and captions for photos and video.
• Collaborate on media and video projects.

Experience with tools such as Canva, video editing, or social media content creation is a strong asset.

4. Schools & Parent Liaison

A member of the Fundraising and Communications Committee and helps tell the story of GTGK while strengthening communication with schools and families.

This role will:

• Support social media storytelling and content creation.
• Help keep schools, parents, and school communities informed and engaged.

Interested?

We welcome applicants with professional expertise, lived experience, community connections, and a genuine commitment to GTGK’s mission. We are at an inflection point in school garden work, where the National School Food Program guiding Policy identifies school gardens as an important part of food literacy, along with composting and Farm-to-School relationships. We aim to build on this moment and invite you to join us.

To apply, please send a cover letter and résumé, specifying the position you’re interested in, or if you prefer a general support role, to board@greenthumbsto.org and include “Board of Directors” in the subject line.

Come help us grow stronger schools, healthier communities, and a new generation of environmental stewards.