Foundation for Essential Needs (FFEN) plays a unique role in the hunger-relief system, transforming food shelf spaces and operations to meet the evolving needs of each local community. FFEN strengthens food shelves from the inside out, building up their operating capacity through custom solutions that amplify their reach and enhance their services. We provide professional development, data-driven tools, and skilled volunteers to create tangible and sustainable change for communities facing food insecurity. FFEN seeks to achieve improvements in the quantity and quality of food available and the experience of accessing food resources. Since 2013, FFEN has partnered with over 200 food shelves across the state of Minnesota and we anticipate that number growing in the year ahead. Learn more about FFEN at www.ffen.org
Mission: Reshaping the Minnesota Hunger Relief System.
Vision: A hunger relief system all shoppers trust to predictably offer healthy food options and a dignified experience.
Values:
- We prioritize the food shelf shopper voice and experience in all of our work.
- We take time to listen and build honest and reciprocal relationships.
- We honor unique community context and seek to include additional perspectives and expertise.
- We cultivate a spirit of abundance to foster creative solutions for local and system innovation.
FFEN is seeking two individuals to join our Board of Directors to provide leadership, fresh perspective and energy for the course ahead. As an organization, we believe that it is critical to our success going forward that our board includes a broad set of perspectives and experiences to influence our future. Board Candidates should care deeply for equitable food access in the state of Minnesota and leveraging volunteer expertise to support local food shelves. In addition to a commitment to FFEN’s mission and vision, we are prioritizing the following to complement our current composition:
Perspectives, Experiences, Connections:
- Residents of and/or close connections to Greater Minnesota
- Individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)
- Individuals with previous experience on nonprofit boards
- Individuals with lived experience accessing free food resources
Expertise Areas:
- Human Resources
- Fund Development
- Finance
Commitment:
- A Board term is three years with a limit of four terms.
- Board meetings (2 hours) are held six times a year, with some held virtually and some in-person.
- Board members are expected to engage on one board committee with monthly meetings.
- Board members should be ready to champion the organization as a key ambassador and relationship developer on FFEN’s behalf, including engaging in fundraising and donor stewardship.
- On average, a board role requires a commitment of 4 to 8 hours a month.
- Full FFEN Board Member Position Description Linked Here
FFEN welcomes candidates who are new to board service but have important skills and experiences to contribute. Support and training will be provided to new board members. If you have questions about the organization and/or the board position, we welcome direct conversations in the following ways:
- Join us for a Board Recruitment virtual office hours session to ask questions and talk with current board member(s) using this zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8374298627
- Wednesday, November 15th from 4pm to 5pm
- Friday, November 17th from 1pm to 2pm
- Contact FFEN’s Executive Director, Kate Burggraff, at kateburggraff@ffen.org or 952-913-0243.
Interested individuals can submit a current resume and letter of intent describing why you would like to be considered for a position on the FFEN Board of Directors to info@ffen.org by November 30th, 2023.
