Director, Statewide Grassroots Engagement – Missouri

Director, Statewide Grassroots Engagement – Missouri
Who We Are
Gateway to Hope was founded by two physicians who were frustrated and angered by the circumstances in which many of their patients found themselves – delaying life-saving breast healthcare because of inability to pay. We are on a mission to champion change, removing barriers to timely, affordable, quality breast healthcare – empowering people to live full and healthy lives. For the last two decades, we’ve served thousands of women needing access to life-saving healthcare. And, we’re actively leading change efforts across the state, partnering with policy makers and sitting at the right tables where decisions about cancer care happen. We advocate for women and their families in some of the hardest times of their lives, and make sure they can thrive beyond it. Because of our work, thousands of women have better access to prevention and early detection care in Missouri. Thousands of women have reported better ability to cope with the challenges of treatment, better quality of life. And, the women we serve are four times less likely to skip medications and recommended healthcare – because of our services. This is just the beginning of our impact. We envision a world in which nobody has to endure the burden of a treatable disease like breast cancer. We have work to do.

The challenge we are solving
Today in Missouri, and in much of the United States, a woman’s income, where she lives, and the color of her skin determines whether she will survive breast cancer. This is unacceptable, given the medical advancements of the last 30 years. We have curative treatments for 90+% of breast cancers. And yet, in some communities, the death rate is over 70%. Those communities most affected are rural, low-income, and women of color. The real issue at hand is not whether the treatments exist, it’s who has access to them. The mothers, sisters, daughters of our state and nation deserve better. Gateway to Hope is here to solve this issue. With our patient-centered and evidence-based support programs, our research and policy work, we are addressing root causes and creating change for future generations, while helping women access care today. In order to truly reduce the death rate of women most affected by these issues, we need to deliver our programs at scale. This takes resources and energy that Gateway to Hope needs to build. We have momentum: we’ve doubled the number of patients served in the last 3 years, and will quadruple the number served by the end of 2025. But the work doesn’t end there. Our expansion goals are rooted in one simple principle: no woman should have to choose between life-saving healthcare, and putting food on the table. We are on a mission to make this a reality for ALL women – not just some.

The Role
The Director of Statewide Grassroots Engagement – Missouri, reporting to the Chief of Philanthropy and Strategic Communication, will serve as a vital connector between Gateway to Hope’s mission and local communities across Missouri. This enthusiastic and skilled individual will be responsible for creating and implementing strategies to build and mobilize local support to advance Gateway to Hope’s mission at the community level. This person’s work will bridge community engagement, fundraising, and volunteer coordination. This role is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with local partners, engaging and mobilizing grassroots support, serving as a hub of information regarding Gateway to Hope’s services, and connecting communities to our mission. The ideal candidate for this role is a self-starter, can work strategically using data to inform workflows, is a dynamic communicator, and very comfortable with regular statewide travel and community engagement. This candidate will be adept in partnering with multiple leaders, including CEO and Senior Director of Programs, and collaborating across departments and with multiple stakeholder groups. Working alongside leadership and consultant resources, this candidate will build and execute multi-disciplinary engagement plans in a hyper-local level across the state, with a focus on partnering with program staff to reach more communities that can benefit from GTH’s free services and on cultivating new donors to raise the vital funds necessary to serve more women annually. This position can be based anywhere in Missouri, with preference for Kansas City area or Columbia/Jefferson City area.

Reports to
Chief of Philanthropy and Strategic Communications

Responsibilities
Community Engagement (30%)
In collaboration with program staff and organizational leadership, build and maintain relationships on behalf of Gateway to Hope with local leaders, businesses, nonprofits, clinics, churches, civic groups, and more.
Conduct presentations and host educational events in communities.
Represent the organization at local fairs, forums, and public events, and/or coordinate with program staff for representation.
Serve as a hub of information about Gateway to Hope, connecting stakeholders of all types to appropriate leaders and colleagues inside Gateway to Hope.
Proactively engage stakeholders, in strategic coordination with GTH program staff, to support GTH fundraising needs and to ensure community members in need of GTH support are connected in a timely manner.
Donor Engagement (20%)
Identify and cultivate grassroots-level donors (individuals, small businesses, local affinity groups and organizations, etc.).
Plan and coordinate community-based fundraising campaigns, integrated with broader GTH fundraising strategies, to raise resources that support local patients being served by Gateway to Hope.
Identify and cultivate in-kind donation resources that directly support program and patient needs (e.g., gas station partnerships, local grocery and food delivery partnerships, and more.)
Event Planning & Execution (20%)
Plan and execute grassroots events such as:
Locally-based, third-party fundraising events
Breast cancer awareness events
Health fairs, in collaboration with program staff
Multi-sector events that raise funds and raise awareness about the importance of early detection, access to timely care, and impacting Missouri women.
Volunteer Recruitment & Coordination (20%)
Plan and manage program for recruitment, training, and assignment of volunteers for outreach events, campaigns, and support programs.
Create toolkits and resources, in collaboration across departments, to empower local advocates to reach their communities.
Organize volunteer recognition, events, and awards.
Data & Reporting (10%)
Track engagement metrics, outreach activities, and impact data in GTH’s CRM and other necessary systems.
Compile monthly or quarterly reports for stakeholders.
Common Activities May Include:
List building and lead generation to support GTH’s fundraising needs
Development and launch of an ambassador/volunteer program for local outreach.
Plan and execute a statewide annual breast cancer awareness campaign involving community murals, art walks, or survivor storytelling events.
Partnership launch with regional small businesses (such as a grocery chain or other franchise) to promote breast health education and raise funds.
Ongoing planning and coordination with internal program and communication colleagues to reach communities.

Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in public health, nonprofit management, communications, or related field (or equivalent experience).
5+ years of experience in community engagement, grassroots organizing, community-based fundraising or related nonprofit role.
Deep understanding of Missouri’s geography and communities.
Demonstrated ability to build authentic relationships in diverse communities.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
Ability to anticipate the needs of leadership and stakeholders and to act accordingly/proactively.
Ability to think critically and complete work thoroughly and with great accuracy.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, and ability to connect effectively with a variety of constituent groups such as senior management, peers, and outside contacts
Strong organizational skills, team-first orientation, and excellent problem-solving skills
Culturally competent and sensitive to the issues facing individuals of all backgrounds
Ability to quickly learn organizational structure and the objectives of the team
Passion and enthusiasm for Gateway to Hope’s Mission and Vision
Ability to maintain high levels of professionalism, integrity, and discretion
Willingness and ability to travel extensively within Missouri; valid driver’s license required.
Personal or professional experience with breast cancer or health-related nonprofit work a plus
Bilingual or multilingual candidates encouraged to apply.

Compensation
Gateway to Hope provides a competitive compensation package, with an estimated salary range of $65,000-78,000 commensurate with experience, coupled with a robust benefit package including Medical, Dental, Vision, and HSA and FSA benefits offered with applicable plans, and generous Paid Time Off, Sick, Bereavement Leave and paid Holidays. GTH paid LTD, STD, Life and AD&D insurance are included as well as an Employee Assistance Program and other lifestyle and wellness benefits. Additionally, GTH offers a 401k with Roth options as well as supplemental Life, AD&D, and Critical Illness coverage. GTH matches up to 5% of employee retirement savings contributions. GTH also offers a hybrid work environment, with both remote work and in-office work options. This position is also eligible for immediate-upon-employment unlimited paid time off with supervisor approval; professional membership, association, and continuing education reimbursement; flexibility in working hours and location.

Annual Salary Range
$65,000-78,000

Work Environment
This position operates in a professional environment, as well as in a community context. This position regularly interacts with community members and partners, and sometimes with patients. Most work hours take place in the office and/or out of the office using technology to achieve goals, while interacting regularly with the entire Gateway to Hope staff and community. This position can be fully remote. Candidates from outside the St. Louis region, particularly the Kansas City area, are encouraged to apply.

Physical Demand
Some light lifting and filing is required. This role routinely uses standard office equipment and technology.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a non-exempt position averaging 40 hours per week. As noted, this position requires frequent travel with flexibility in schedule allowed. This position can be fully remote, or hybrid with desk space at our St. Louis headquarters as the need arises.

How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter and resume to: [email protected] with Subject Line: Grassroots Director Application.

Gateway to Hope is an equal opportunity employer, complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws, and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment.