Executive Director

Midwest Food Bank; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

A leading nonprofit organization in Indianapolis seeks an Executive Director to advance its mission of alleviating hunger and providing disaster relief. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of leadership experience and a bachelor’s degree. This role requires strong fundraising abilities and community engagement skills to support approximately $2 million in operational budget, leading a dedicated team in a volunteer-driven environment. Competitive benefits and a mission-driven culture await the successful candidate.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant leadership experience (10 years preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, oversee program implementation, and deliver measurable results.
• Proven success in fundraising, donor stewardship, or community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the Indiana Division, ensuring alignment with national mission.
• Oversee all aspects of daily operations, including facility management and distribution systems.
• Cultivate relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, churches, and foundations.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Community Engagement

Organizational Skills

Financial Acumen

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business, Marketing, Finance, or related field

Tools

Office 365

Salesforce

Job description

Overview

Midwest Food Bank (MFB) is a faith-based, non-denominational nonprofit founded in 2003 in Bloomington, Illinois. Today, MFB operates 10 divisions across the United States and two international locations, distributing food and disaster relief to more than 2,400 partner agencies annually.

With approximately $87 million in assets and an organizational operating budget of $20 million, Midwest Food Bank leverages strong supplier partnerships, donated goods, and an extensive volunteer network to distribute more than $550 million in food and disaster relief each year. The organization is widely recognized for its operational efficiency - directing 99% of donations to programs - and has maintained a four-star Charity Navigator rating since 2011.

Guided by its mission to share the love of Christ by alleviating hunger and malnutrition and providing disaster relief, Midwest Food Bank seeks to serve those in need with excellence while offering both physical and spiritual nourishment.

The Indiana Division, located in Indianapolis, provides local leadership for this national organization, advancing Midwest Food Bank’s mission throughout Central Indiana while benefiting from the scale, infrastructure, and partnerships of a nationwide network.

The Role

The Executive Director leads the Indiana Division and is responsible for advancing Midwest Food Bank’s mission through operational leadership, fundraising growth, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving as the primary liaison to the Divisional Advisory Board, employees, volunteers, and the national organization, the Executive Director ensures that all programs operate efficiently, compliantly, and in alignment with Midwest Food Bank’s values.

This is a highly relational, hands-on leadership role suited to a servant leader who thrives in a volunteer-powered, service-driven environment. The Executive Director will guide staff and volunteers, steward donor relationships, oversee distribution operations, and represent Midwest Food Bank throughout the Indianapolis community.

Midwest Food Bank believes humility equals success and seeks a leader who models this philosophy while leading with integrity, compassion, and accountability.

Impact Areas

Strategic Operations & Organizational Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the Indiana Division, ensuring alignment with Midwest Food Bank’s national mission and standards.
• Oversee all aspects of daily operations, including facility management, food procurement, warehouse coordination, and distribution systems.
• Support operational networks responsible for procuring and distributing approximately $80 million in food annually.
• Ensure efficient utilization of facilities, employees, and volunteers to maximize service delivery.
• Lead the division through the transition into the newly constructed warehouse facility.
• Maintain clear communication and partnership with the Divisional Advisory Board and Midwest Food Bank’s national leadership.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit governance standards, financial reporting, tax requirements, and organizational policies.
• Oversee campus care, safety, maintenance, and long-term operational planning.
• Lead efforts to build donor engagement and financial support for the division’s $2 million operational budget.
• Support the successful completion of the capital campaign and steward relationships developed through the campaign process.
• Cultivate relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, churches, and foundations.
• Expand local brand awareness while strengthening and diversifying the division’s donor base.
• Actively participate in donor cultivation, fundraising initiatives, and appreciation efforts.
• Represent Midwest Food Bank within the community to advance mission visibility and partnerships.

Community & Agency Engagement

• Maintain and strengthen relationships with approximately 300–400 nonprofit partner agencies.
• Serve as the primary ambassador for Midwest Food Bank throughout Central Indiana.
• Develop strategic partnerships with community leaders, businesses, civic groups, and faith communities.
• Support regional disaster relief efforts and coordination when needed.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for a team of approximately seven employees.
• Support and empower a large volunteer base that underpins daily operations.
• Foster a Christ-centered culture that values humility, service, teamwork, and respect.
• Build systems for volunteer engagement, onboarding, recognition, and retention.
• Model Midwest Food Bank’s core values: serving those in need, empowering volunteers, embracing our communities, working with integrity, executing through teamwork

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant leadership experience (10 years preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business, Marketing, Finance, or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, oversee program implementation, and deliver measurable results.
• Proven success in fundraising, donor stewardship, or community engagement.
• Strong organizational, financial, and operational leadership skills.
• Ability to foster a collaborative, team-oriented work environment and achieve results through others.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
• Proficiency with—or willingness to learn—technology platforms such as Office 365 and Salesforce.
• Willingness to participate in training and professional development related to Midwest Food Bank operations and policies.

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity with food security, logistics, warehouse operations, or disaster relief environments.
• Experience working within volunteer-driven organizations.
• Knowledge of the Central Indiana nonprofit and philanthropic landscape.

This role includes both office-based responsibilities and active engagement in warehouse and distribution settings. Local travel within the community is expected, with minimal out-of-state travel and occasional evening or weekend commitments.

• 401(k)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Midwest Food Bank has retained the services of Charity Search Group to coordinate the search for this position. To apply, please complete this online application. If you have questions or need accommodations, please contact Orlisha Fox at [e-mail] or visit www.charitysearchgroup.com

Midwest Food Bank is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Midwest Food Bank does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws in its programs and activities.