About Feeding America West Michigan
Feeding America West Michigan (FAWM) is a vital anchor in the region’s hunger-relief ecosystem, serving 40 counties across West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. As one of the largest food banks in the state, FAWM partners with nearly 800 agencies and programs to ensure neighbors have reliable access to nourishing food. In 2024, the organization distributed 32 million pounds of food—the equivalent of 26.7 million meals—to more than one million households across its diverse service area.
FAWM’s mission is rooted in the belief that hunger is unacceptable and communities have the power to change lives. The organization provides nourishment and hunger-relief resources by amplifying the strength of communities through collaboration and advocacy. Its vision is clear— all people in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula have equitable access to nourishing food.
A Comprehensive, Community-Centered Network
FAWM’s hybrid distribution model ensures food reaches neighbors through a wide range of programs, including:
- 347 fixed-site food pantries
- 1,625 mobile food pantries (a cornerstone of FAWM’s ability to reach rural and high-need communities)
- 35 meal programs
- 87 youth programs
- 31 Gather 2 Grow sites
This flexible approach allows FAWM to respond to the unique needs of urban, suburban, and rural communities across its vast terrain.
Strengthening Operational Capacity
FAWM sources food from retail and manufacturer donations, farm partnerships, USDA programs, and purchased food—50% of all food distributed in 2024 was donated. The organization’s new consolidated headquarters and warehouse, opened debt-free in late 2024, significantly expands storage and distribution capacity, enabling FAWM to distribute up to 37.5 million meals annually and positioning it for future growth and innovation.
Powered by Partners, Donors, and Volunteers
FAWM’s impact is strengthened by deep community partnership:
- 114 food donors contributed nearly 12 million pounds of food
- Thousands of volunteers supported sorting, packaging, and distribution
- Partnerships span health organizations, community nonprofits, tribal partners, youth-serving programs, faith communities, and civic groups
This interconnected network reflects FAWM’s belief in collaboration as a cornerstone of ending hunger.
Strategic Priorities Driving the Next Era
FAWM’s long-term direction is guided by a clear, forward-looking Strategic Framework that positions the organization to innovate, grow, and build sustainable solutions to hunger. Its five strategic priorities include:
- Enhance Food Access: Ensure all neighbors have equitable access to nourishing food, with targeted focus on underserved and high-need communities.
- Engage Communities: Deepen relationships with neighbors, volunteers, donors, agency partners, and other nonprofits to strengthen the regional hunger-relief ecosystem.
- Empower the Mission: Secure the financial resources, systems, and organizational capacity needed to expand program reach and increase impact.
- Advocate for Food Security: Play a stronger role in policy conversations by engaging legislators and advancing public positions that improve food access.
- Support Team Excellence: Foster an internal culture of collaboration, innovation, professional development, and equitable practices across the organization.
Values That Shape the Work
FAWM’s strategic direction is grounded in four core values:
- Dignity – Treating every neighbor with empathy, kindness, and respect
- Collaboration – Working collectively across the region to end hunger
- Excellence – Delivering innovative, effective, and high-quality service
- Integrity – Building trust through transparency and responsible stewardship
With a strong foundation, a modernized facility, deep regional partnerships, and a bold strategic vision, Feeding America West Michigan is poised for its next era of impact—ensuring that every neighbor across West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula has access to the nourishing food they need to thrive.
Learn more about Feeding America West Michigan at https://www.feedwm.org/
The Opportunity
In 2026, Feeding America West Michigan will welcome its next leader as part of a planned succession for current President & CEO, Kenneth Estelle, who has led the organization for 15 years.
This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic and values-aligned leader to guide a nationally respected food bank through its next chapter—building on four decades of impact while addressing the growing and evolving needs of communities across West Michigan.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President & CEO will be responsible for Feeding America West Michigan’s strategic vision, oversee its ~$60M annual budget (~$11M cash), and lead a dedicated team of 80 employees, including five direct reports (Chief Philanthropy Officer; Chief Financial Officer; Chief Operating Officer; Chief Human Resources Officer; and Chief Impact Officer).
The new President & CEO will join Feeding America West Michigan at a time of strength and opportunity. With a strong financial position and operational foundation, a brand- new facility, a robust network of supporters, and a clear strategic framework in place, the organization is well-positioned to deepen its impact. At the same time, the President & CEO will be charged with navigating a dynamic funding and policy landscape and advancing scalable, sustainable solutions to food insecurity.
Key responsibilities of the President & CEO include, but are not limited to:
- Strategic Leadership and Vision: Championing Feeding America West Michigan’s mission and strategic priorities, setting and communicating a compelling vision for the future, and ensuring continued innovation, impact, and responsiveness to community needs.
- Organizational and Team Leadership: Leading, inspiring, and motivating a talented, mission-driven staff and fostering a strong internal culture rooted in collaboration, equity, and accountability.
- Fundraising and External Relations: Serving as the organization’s primary ambassador; cultivating strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders including Feeding America and its affiliates, the Food Bank Council of Michigan, donors, corporate partners, community organizations, and others, effectively telling Feeding America West Michigan’s story to inspire investment and partnership.
- Advocacy and Policy Engagement: Engaging with local, state, and national policymakers and coalitions to advance hunger-related policy priorities and secure public support for food security solutions.
- Operational and Financial Management: Overseeing a large and complex nonprofit organization, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and operational excellence.
- Reputation & Partnership Building: Advancing a more accurate and complete understanding of FAWM’s mission, capabilities, and strategic direction—shifting partner perception from transactional to collaborative. Strengthen and unify external messaging so community partners see FAWM as a long-term, values-aligned ally in addressing hunger.
- Equity-Centered Leadership & Decision-Making: Modeling and operationalizing a commitment to equity, including navigating tradeoffs through an equitable lens, making difficult decisions with transparency, and strengthening trust within the community so those decisions are understood and supported.
- Board Partnership and Governance: Building a strong partnership with the Board of Directors; ensuring strategic alignment, clear communication, and sound governance practices.
- Equity and Community Engagement: Demonstrating a deep commitment to equity and inclusion internally and externally; ensuring that Feeding America West Michigan’s programs are grounded in the lived experiences of the communities served.
Candidate Profile
While it is understood that no candidate will offer every desired skill, quality, and characteristic, the following offers a detailed, aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile:
An Authentic, Mission-Driven Leader with a Commitment to West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula
- Brings humility, empathy, and a deep personal commitment to FAWM’s mission and values.
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to the 40 counties FAWM serves and a genuine passion for serving the region’s diverse communities.
- Inspires confidence through a balance of head and heart, connecting naturally with staff, donors, partners, and neighbors.
- Demonstrates strong listening skills, valuing institutional history while empowering staff and fostering a positive, inclusive culture.
- Approaches challenges with optimism and a belief in what is possible for FAWM, its communities, and its team.
- Comfortable engaging authentically across politically, economically, and geographically diverse communities.
- Able to unify staff around a shared mission and help translate FAWM’s strategic vision into practical, day-to-day priorities and behaviors.
A Skilled Operational, Financial, & Organizational Leader
- Brings strong operational and financial acumen appropriate for a complex, multi-site nonprofit.
- Demonstrates the ability to assess organizational structure, strengthen performance, and steward resources responsibly.
- Experienced in leading diverse teams—across identities, skillsets, roles, and lived experiences—and committed to developing staff by identifying growth opportunities, providing constructive accountability, and fostering an environment where all employees can thrive.
- Skilled in change management and capable of balancing immediate operational needs with long-term organizational health.
- Maintains clarity, accountability, and alignment across a distributed and diverse team.
Exceptional Relationship Builder & External Advocate
- Skilled in building trust-based relationships across donors, partners, agencies, policymakers, and community leaders.
- Capable of serving as a compelling and authentic external representative, with strong communication and storytelling abilities.
- Skilled at articulating mission, values, and long-term vision in ways that deepen community trust and partnership.
- Brings comfort and credibility engaging in bipartisan governmental relations and policy discussions.
- Able to elevate FAWM’s voice, presence, and impact across West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
A Strong Fundraiser & Ambassador
- Confident and energized by fundraising; capable of significantly growing philanthropic revenue and deepening donor relationships.
- Comfortable engaging a broad donor base across varied political, demographic, and geographic communities.
- Demonstrates strong communication, influence, and relationship-building skills that advance a compelling case for support.
- Able to cultivate and model a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
Strategic, Innovative, & Data-Informed Thinker
- Able to envision and advance innovative, community-centered approaches to hunger relief.
- Uses qualitative and quantitative data to inform decisions, set priorities, and drive organizational learning.
- Comfortable navigating complexity across a large, diverse service area with rural, suburban, and urban needs.
- Demonstrates agility, adaptability, and the ability to guide teams through change, growth, and evolving models of service.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation for this role is expected to range from $170,000 - $220,000, with additional potential for a performance-based bonus. Final compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. The position also includes a comprehensive benefits package.