ABOUT NEW ROOTS INSTITUTE

What do we do?

New Roots Institute is a growing nonprofit that educates people across the country on factory farming’s devastating impacts on people, animals, and the planet, and empowers them to advocate for systemic change in their communities. Our approach is designed to build significant and lasting capacity for the movement to end factory farming. 

How do we do it? 

• We believe our competence must be as fierce as our compassion. 

• To amplify our impact through collective action, we call people in rather than out, always striving to see beyond our egos to meet others where they’re at rather than treat them like they should already be where we are. 

• Because we care deeply about each other and our mission, we elevate accountability, openly addressing issues with honesty and directness and holding ourselves to a standard no lower than excellence. 

• We recognize that we don’t have all the answers and will listen to others, including those we believe we disagree with, to grow as individuals and as an organization. 

• The magnitude of the systemic change we’re aiming for requires readiness to adapt. As circumstances and information around us shift, we update our approach. 

• Last but not least, we genuinely enjoy our co-workers and have fun despite the tragic nature of what we’re up against. (Check out our Rotten Truth series on YouTube to see how we use humor to grapple with the grim reality of factory farming.) 

If all this appeals to you, we encourage you to apply! 

Application Details

We consider traditional and nontraditional qualifications and carefully review each application.

We are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse, culturally competent staff at all levels of the organization. We envision a team that not only reflects the demographics of our country, but also continues to deepen their skills and competencies to serve the full range of our audiences. We strongly encourage people of the global majority, especially Black and Indigenous folks, LGBTQIA+ individuals, persons living with disabilities, women, non-binary individuals, and people of various socioeconomic backgrounds to apply for this position.

Unfortunately, we are only considering applicants based in the United States at this time.

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To Apply

Please follow the “Apply for this position” link. In lieu of a cover letter, please answer the application’s questions.

Empowering the Next Generation to End Factory Farming: What would it mean to you if you could dedicate your time, talent, and energy to creating a more just and sustainable food system?

Serving on the Board of Directors at New Roots Institute isn’t just a role; it's a commitment to a cause. We are a growing nonprofit dedicated to ending factory farming, and we are seeking passionate, strategic leaders to help guide our organization toward long-term impact and sustainability.

Is New Roots Institute the Right Place for You? 

We are looking for board members who:

• Are motivated to make a difference and are willing to work hard to achieve it.

• Continuously question assumptions and adapt when necessary, putting the shared mission above ego.

• Strive for excellence and can meet deadlines consistently.

• Embrace giving and receiving honest, constructive feedback to foster personal and organizational growth.

• Communicate proactively and respond quickly, building trust and effectiveness in a remote work environment.

• Enjoy working collaboratively, while finding ways to bring humor and lightness to the serious work of ending factory farming. Check out our Rotten Truth series on YouTube to see how we use humor to grapple with the grim reality of factory farming.

What the Board Does:

Our board’s primary functions are:

• Providing long-term financial oversight including:

• Reviewing and approving the annual budget

• Reviewing annual audits of financial statements and financial controls

• Overseeing investment strategy and review compliance with Investment Policy

• Serving as contacts for staff on an ad hoc basis

• Providing oversight for the Executive Director, including:

• Conducting annual performance evaluations and salary guidelines

• Providing legal oversight for the organization, such as:

• Helping assess risky and complicated situations and providing feedback on plans to navigate them

• Ensuring that New Roots Institute is compliant with its charitable purposes

• Serving as ambassadors for New Roots Institute including:

• Using networks and influence to enhance the organization’s public profile

• Building key partnerships

• Supporting fundraising efforts

• Advising on long-term strategy and direction including:

• Providing guidance to ensure the organization remains mission-aligned and positioned for sustainable impact.

High-Priority Board Needs:

While all board members play a vital role in guiding New Roots Institute, we currently have several areas of high-priority expertise where we would especially value additional leadership:

1. Development

• Extensive experience in fundraising.

• Collaborate closely with the Development Department to provide tailored support and leverage your strengths for organizational success.

• Contribute to fundraising strategy, networking, and visibility, particularly in environmental and youth development spaces.

• Help drive increased revenue and organizational growth.

2. Board Governance

• Experience serving on nonprofit boards.

• Review board meetings, structure, and overall health to ensure alignment with organizational culture.

• Advise on board communication, planning, and best practices.

• Hold an officer position and support board succession planning.

• Help the board operate at the highest standard, serving as an exemplar in the movement to end factory farming.

3. Accounting/Finance

• Extensive experience in nonprofit accounting or finance.

• Support the audit committee and collaborate with the operations department.

• Ensure compliance and provide high-level financial and investment oversight.

Rolling Application:

This ongoing, multi-year search supports volunteer positions for New Roots Institute's board for 2026 and beyond. We welcome applications year-round for current and future periods. 

Please note: This is a rolling application process without fixed deadlines. The search committee meets approximately every two months to review submitted applications. We appreciate your patience with the potential wait. We will follow up once your materials have been reviewed.

To Apply:

Please click the “Apply for this position” link to tell us why you are interested in serving on New Roots Institute’s Board of Directors.