careers
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ALMA Backyard Farms
Spring 2026About ALMA Backyard Farms
ALMA Backyard Farms is Los Angeles’ most visited urban farm. Founded by Erika L. Cuellar and Richard D. Garcia, ALMA grows food and community across a network of urban and backyard farms in South Los Angeles, connecting underserved communities through three core programs: a Farm Stand that provides healthy, affordable, organic produce and a beloved community gathering space for South LA; a job training program serving people who have been incarcerated; and an education program for local youth rooted in sustainable agriculture.
ALMA has earned national recognition, including coverage in Forbes and the New York Times, without a PR strategy or consultant. Now, with its first owned growing space recently acquired in Carson and a $10 million capital campaign underway, ALMA is entering one of the most significant chapters in its history.
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Background and ContextALMA’s $10 million “Feed the Soil + Feed the Soul” capital campaign encompasses five areas of organizational growth:
Third Farm Site, including land acquisition and development of the Carson site
A product licensing agreement and site improvements at a fourth growing location
Jobs Program expansion
Education Program expansion
Capacity building and organizational sustainability
With the Carson property now in hand, ALMA has an immediate need for dedicated administrative and project management capacity to move the site’s development forward. This work is highly varied and requires someone who can hold both the details and the big picture: tracking architectural proposals, building and monitoring permitting timelines, documenting key planning decisions, coordinating with legal counsel and partners on a licensing agreement currently being drafted, tracking expenses, and beginning to model the site’s financial operations once construction is complete.
ALMA is also in the process of answering a set of foundational planning questions for each element of its growth initiative. For each area of growth, the organization is working to define the need and who it serves, the approach and rationale, the key milestones and timeline, the associated costs and projected operating budget, and the expected outputs and long-term outcomes. The Carson Site Project Manager will play a key role in documenting, organizing, and communicating the answers to these questions as they are developed, and in ensuring that decisions are visible to the right people at the right time.
This engagement is envisioned as a temporary, consulting role. ALMA anticipates reassessing scope and priorities on a quarterly basis as the project evolves.
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Scope of WorkALMA is seeking proposals that respond to the needs described above. We are open to hourly, retainer, or deliverable-based contract structures, and we welcome consultants to propose what they believe is the most effective approach. In all cases, we ask that proposals include a clear picture of what the consultant expects to accomplish and by when.
At a minimum, the scope of work should address the following areas:
Carson Site Development Coordination
Collect, organize, and track architectural and design proposals as they are solicited and received
Develop and maintain a permitting calendar, tracking key milestones, deadlines, and responsible parties
Monitor progress against the permitting calendar and flag delays or decision points requiring leadership attention
Track project expenses and maintain organized records for reporting and budgeting purposes
Plug evolving assumptions into the capital budget as plans develop and decisions are made
Planning Documentation
Document the answers to ALMA’s key planning questions for the Carson site and other elements of the growth initiative as leadership works through them, including need and beneficiaries, strategic approach and rationale, timeline and milestones, costs and projected operating budget, and expected outputs and outcomes
Organize and maintain a central record of planning decisions, open questions, and next steps across all areas of the growth initiative
Ensure that key decisions and updates are communicated clearly and in a timely way to board members, advisors, campaign consultants, and other relevant stakeholders
Licensing Agreement Coordination
Support coordination of the product licensing agreement currently being drafted by the Board and legal counsel, including tracking open items, deadlines, and follow-up tasks
Serve as an organized point of contact for information flow between leadership, legal counsel, and relevant partners
Financial Operations Modeling
Begin building a financial model for the Carson site’s operations once construction is complete, including projected revenues, operating costs, and staffing needs
Update the model as plans and assumptions evolve, and present findings to leadership in a clear and accessible format
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Proposal Requirements
ALMA invites interested consultants to submit a proposal that includes the following:A brief statement of interest and relevant experience, including examples of similar project management or administrative consulting work
A proposed scope of work describing what the consultant would accomplish and in what timeframe, with priorities and phasing as appropriate
A proposed contract structure (hourly, retainer, or deliverable-based) with associated rates or fees
ALMA anticipates that scope and priorities will be reassessed and renewed on a quarterly basis. Proposals should reflect this cadence and describe how the consultant would approach quarterly planning and check-ins with leadership.
Submission
Please submit proposals to Co-Founder and Operations Director Erika L. Cuellar at erika@almabackyardfarms.com.
The deadline for submissions is June 12, 2026. Questions may also be directed to Erika prior to submission. -
ALMA Backyard Farms
Spring 2026About ALMA Backyard Farms
ALMA Backyard Farms is Los Angeles’ most visited urban farm. Founded by Erika L. Cuellar and Richard D. Garcia, ALMA grows food and community across a network of urban and backyard farms in South Los Angeles, connecting underserved communities through three core programs: a Farm Stand that provides healthy, affordable, organic produce and a beloved community gathering space for South LA; a job training program serving people who have been incarcerated; and an education program for local youth rooted in sustainable agriculture.
ALMA has earned national recognition, including coverage in Forbes and the New York Times, without a PR strategy or consultant. Now, with its first owned growing space recently acquired in Carson and a $10 million capital campaign underway, ALMA is entering one of the most significant chapters in its history. Learn more at www.almabackyardfarms.com.
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ALMA Backyard Farms is seeking a resourceful, people-first Development Manager to help the organization convert its extraordinary community momentum into a growing base of committed donors and partners. This is a ground-level role for someone who is energized by being in the mix: at Farm Stands, at community events, in conversations with neighbors and supporters, and who can translate those connections into lasting relationships with the organization.
Reporting to Co-Founder and CEO Richard D. Garcia, the Development Manager will help ALMA make the most of what is already happening organically. Every Farm Stand generates new donor and partnership leads, and the organization has a substantial and engaged following. What ALMA needs is someone embedded in the day-to-day who can evaluate and pursue those opportunities, build systems to capture and cultivate them, and ensure that no relationship falls through the cracks.
This is a remarkable opportunity for someone who wants to be part of building an organization with a 13-year track record, a loyal community, and a major growth moment ahead.
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Duties and ResponsibilitiesALMA is seeking proposals that respond to the needs described above. We are open to hourly, retainer, or deliverable-based contract structures, and we welcome consultants to propose what they believe is the most effective approach. In all cases, we ask that proposals include a clear picture of what the consultant expects to accomplish and by when.
At a minimum, the scope of work should address the following areas:
Donor Research and Lead ManagementResearch new donor and partnership prospects as they emerge through Farm Stands, events, and organizational networks, helping leadership evaluate viability and determine appropriate next steps
Prepare concise briefings and background research to support executive outreach and first meetings with prospective donors and partners
Coordinate initial outreach and scheduling on behalf of leadership, ensuring that promising leads are advanced efficiently without requiring significant executive time before viability is established
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in the organization’s CRM, tracking prospect and donor activity, follow-up tasks, and relationship history
Donor Engagement and Relationship Building
Attend Farm Stands, community events, and partner gatherings as an organizational representative, building authentic relationships with community members, supporters, and potential donors
Support leadership in executing individualized cultivation and stewardship strategies for mid-level donors and engaged community supporters
Identify and act on natural stewardship moments that deepen relationships without requiring a formal ask or production (i.e. a personal note after a first Farm Stand gift, an invitation to a behind-the-scenes harvest, a check-in when a regular supporter hasn't been seen in a while)
Ensure that corporate volunteers, in-kind donors, and other organizational champions who have a meaningful experience with ALMA receive a personal, timely follow-up that opens the door to a deeper relationship
Coordinate donor acknowledgment and stewardship communications, ensuring supporters feel seen and appreciated at every stage of their relationship with ALMA
Annual Giving and Audience Conversion
Develop and implement practical strategies for converting ALMA’s existing community audience, including Farm Stand visitors, social media followers, and event attendees, into first-time and recurring donors
Design and implement engagement tools for Farm Stands and community events, such as in-bag materials, sign-up opportunities, and giving prompts, that make it easy and natural for supporters to take a first step toward philanthropy
Work with leadership and communications support to develop consistent, compelling messaging that connects ALMA’s mission to giving opportunities across digital and in-person channels
Support a strategy for leveraging ALMA’s social media presence to grow the donor pipeline, including coordinating with leadership on fundraising content and calls to action
Manage a calendar of donor communications and annual giving touchpoints, including appeals, impact updates, and acknowledgment milestones
Corporate and Partner Relations
Build and maintain relationships with corporate partners, including contacts in corporate social responsibility, marketing, and employee giving programs, to identify and respond to sponsorship and philanthropic opportunities
Work with existing corporate volunteer and in-kind donor relationships to identify opportunities to add or expand a giving or sponsorship component
Support leadership in preparing for and following up on corporate partner meetings and events, including Farm Stand days and volunteer activations
Systems and Infrastructure
Build and maintain simple, sustainable systems for tracking prospects, managing follow-up, and measuring engagement across the development program
Establish lightweight processes for capturing and advancing leads generated through Farm Stands, events, and community networks
Support the development of standard operating procedures for donor acknowledgment, record-keeping, and gift processing
Track and report on pipeline activity and key engagement metrics on a regular basis
Grants and Foundation Relations
Complete a small number of grant-related tasks each month, including research or drafting proposals or reports; this is a secondary responsibility and not a primary focus of the role
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Skills, Qualities, and Experience
Entrepreneurial Mindset: First and Foremost
The most important quality for this role is an entrepreneurial spirit. ALMA is a dynamic, fast-moving organization where the landscape changes week to week, and opportunities arise without warning. The right candidate will be someone who sees what needs to be done and does it: someone who is energized by building systems from scratch, excited by the challenge of figuring things out, and genuinely comfortable with the fact that not everything will have a playbook. This is not a role for someone who needs extensive direction or who thrives in highly structured environments. It is a role for someone who is resourceful, self-directed, and motivated by the satisfaction of creating something from nothing.
Presence and People Skills
This role requires someone who is genuinely at ease with people across cultures, backgrounds, and contexts. The Development Manager will regularly be in community-facing situations, representing ALMA to Farm Stand visitors, longtime supporters, corporate partners, and first-time prospects alike. Warmth, cultural humility, and the ability to build authentic rapport quickly are essential. Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a strong plus given the communities ALMA serves.
Organizational Skills and Follow-Through
A significant part of this role is making sure that promising leads and relationships do not fall through the cracks in a busy, resource-constrained organization. The Development Manager must be highly organized, reliable, and skilled at managing multiple relationships and tasks simultaneously. Experience with CRM systems or donor databases is helpful; a demonstrated ability to build and maintain tracking systems is essential.
Experience and Background
The ideal candidate brings 2 to 4 years of experience in nonprofit development, community engagement, relationship management, or a closely related field. Demonstrated experience building relationships and moving people from interest to action is more important than specific credentials. Familiarity with annual giving, donor communications, or event-based engagement is a plus. Some exposure to grant writing or reporting is valued, though this is not a grants-focused role.
Commitment to Mission and Community
A genuine connection to ALMA’s mission and to the communities it serves is foundational. The Development Manager will be present in ALMA’s communities regularly and must bring respect, curiosity, and commitment to those interactions. Experience working with or within communities of color in Los Angeles is a strong plus. This is not a role that can be done from the outside looking in.
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Location & ScheduleThis is a mostly in-person position based in South Los Angeles. There will be some days when it is appropriate for the Development Manager to work remotely, but ALMA believes that general proximity to farm activities is essential to success in this role. The Development Manager will be expected to attend two Farm Stands each month, as well as regular community events and organizational meetings, including some weekend and evening availability.
Salary Range
$55,000–$75,000, commensurate with experience. Only candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements of the role and can demonstrate a track record of exemplifying the desired qualities will be considered for a salary at the top of the range.
Submission
Please submit resumes to Erika L. Cuellar, Co-Founder & Operations Director, at erika@almabackyardfarms.com.
Priority consideration will be given to applications received by June 12, 2026. Questions about the position may also be directed to Erika prior to submission.