Founding Lead for The Root Mason Square (Part-Time, Grant-Funded)
The Root Mason Square • Springfield, MA
Position Type: Part-time, W-2 employee (20 hours/week)
Term: Grant-funded, time-limited (12 months), with potential to extend
Compensation: $30/hour
Reports to: MLK Jr. Family Services (Fiscal Agent), in partnership with The Root Leadership Team
Start Date: Targeting February 2026, rolling until filled
About The Root Mason Square
The Root Mason Square is a new community third space opening in Spring 2026 in the heart of the Mason Square in Springfield, MA. The Root is being designed as a welcoming, intergenerational hub for connection, creativity, learning, and local activation — a place where residents, youth, artists, entrepreneurs, and community partners can gather, collaborate, and build together.
This space is rooted in community voice, cultural expression, and neighborhood leadership. While the public brand of The Root will be introduced soon, the work is already underway to prepare the space, shape programming, and build a strong foundation for long-term impact.
About the Role
The Founding Lead will play a central role in launching The Root Mason Square and stewarding its early operations. This is a hands-on, entrepreneurial leadership role designed for someone who wants to help build something from the ground up — not simply manage an existing program.
This position combines operations, community engagement, and fundraising responsibilities, with a clear and honest understanding that the role is grant-funded and time-limited at the outset. A key part of the Founding Lead’s work will be helping to secure the resources needed to sustain and potentially expand the role over time.
This role is ideal for someone who is deeply connected to Mason Square (or Springfield), energized by community-centered work, and excited by the opportunity to shape a new neighborhood institution.
Core Responsibilities
Launch & Operations
Coordinate day-to-day launch activities and early operations of The Root
Serve as a visible, welcoming presence in the space and the neighborhood
Oversee scheduling, space use, partner coordination, and basic operational systems
Support launch planning and early activation in collaboration with the Leadership Team and Launch Steering Committee
Community Engagement
Build relationships with residents, youth, artists, small businesses, and local partners
Support community-informed programming and activations
Help ensure The Root reflects neighborhood culture, needs, and aspirations
Fundraising & Sustainability (Explicit Priority)
Lead or co-lead fundraising efforts tied to operational sustainability
Work with the Leadership Team to pursue grants, sponsorships, naming opportunities, and operating support
Track fundraising progress tied to benchmarks that inform role continuation or expansion(Note: This role is not expected to fundraise alone — leadership and consultant support are built into this effort.)
Strategic & Foundational Work
Help shape the long-term vision, structure, and staffing model for The Root
Contribute to decisions about whether and how the role evolves into a permanent Director position
Participate in leadership coordination and advisory structures during the launch phase
Who We’re Looking For
We are especially excited to hear from candidates who:
Live in Mason Square or have deep, demonstrated ties to the neighborhood
Are self-starting, relational, and excited to build something new
Have experience in community engagement, nonprofit operations, fundraising, or program coordination
Are comfortable working in an evolving environment and shaping systems as they go
Bring lived experience, cultural fluency, and care for community-centered spaces
Formal titles matter less than commitment, judgment, and initiative.
Compensation & Term Transparency
Hourly Rate: $30/hour
Hours: Approximately 20 hours per week
Status: Part-time W-2 employee (no benefits due to part-time status)
Term: 12 months, grant-funded
Continuation or expansion of the role will depend on fundraising progress and shared decisions with the Leadership Team. There is a real pathway for this role to evolve into a longer-term leadership position if funding allows and there is mutual interest.
Accessible Hiring Process
In alignment with The Root’s values, we are intentionally keeping the application process light and accessible:
Short application form
Conversation-based interviews
Emphasis on lived experience, community connection, and leadership potential
We strongly encourage candidates who may not meet every listed qualification — but who feel called to this work — to apply.
How to Apply
To apply, please email a resume and brief cover letter sharing why you are interested in this role and feel you would be a strong candidate to community@therootmasonsquare.com.
If you have questions or would like to learn more before applying, we welcome you to reach out to community@therootmasonsquare.com.
