Planning Library · §9.1 Governance
How the org governs itself.
Groundworks Monterey Bay operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation governed by a board of directors. Designed for a small operating nonprofit that needs governance to be real but not heavy.
Formation
501(c)(3), Form 1023, fiscal sponsor as bridge.
The founding board targets 3–5 members with priority seats in legal / land use, nonprofit finance, and philanthropic connection. Board recruitment is phased: 1–2 founding advisors by end of 2026 (Phase A), full board of 3–5 seated by Phase B go/no-go (~mid-2028).
501(c)(3) filing uses Form 1023 (not 1023-EZ), with a nonprofit attorney (~$2–$5K budget). A fiscal sponsor will be secured as a bridge during the IRS determination period, enabling Groundworks to receive tax-deductible donations and apply for grants before the determination letter is issued.
Board priority seats
Three Priority-1 seats unlock everything else.
| Seat | Priority | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Legal / Land Use | Priority 1 | Enables formation, lease review, zoning navigation. |
| Nonprofit Finance | Priority 1 | Treasurer. Budget oversight. Compliance. |
| Philanthropic Connector | Priority 1 | IS the fundraising strategy. Opens donor doors. |
| Working Farmer | Priority 2 | Grounds the board in agricultural reality. |
| Food Systems Professional | Priority 2 | RCD, UCCE, or food nonprofit background. |
| Marketing / Communications | Priority 3 | Recruit once the space exists. |
| Community Anchor | Priority 3 | Local resident with deep neighborhood ties. |
Recruitment cadence
Phase A (end of 2026)
1–2 founding advisory board members committed. Tested against the Phase A go/no-go criteria.
Phase B (~mid-2028)
Hard gate G2: minimum 3 board seats filled (Legal, Finance, Philanthropic Connector). 5 seats ideal.
Phase C (open) and beyond
Add Marketing/Comms and Community Anchor seats once the space exists and the work is real.
Founder posture
Operator-in-chief at launch. Board-governed always.
Drew Keske, founding Executive Director: running daily operations, curating programming, building partnerships, managing the space. The team builds out over time — cook as first hire, programming coordinator or food operations assistant as second. Groundworks is its own organization, separate from Drew's personal brand, adjunct teaching career, and other professional activities.