Apply to Join the Board at The Urbanist

The Urbanist is seeking to expand our 501(c)(4) nonprofit board by up to four new members. If you relish the challenges inherent in growing a nonprofit media outlet; if you have fresh ideas for expanding and serving our readers and event audiences; and if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and get deeply involved in an influential advocacy journalism outfit, we would love to hear from you.

We are seeking directors to help shape the next phase of our growth and who have at least one of the following:

• Experience managing a nonprofit as either a board member or staff;
• Background in professional journalism or in leading a newsroom;
• Skill in shaping state and local advocacy campaigns;
• Expertise in fundraising and development of membership programs; or
• Knowledge of accounting and financial planning.

In general, we always seek new members who are enthusiastic about The Urbanist’s focus on urban policy, and who are broadly aligned with our policy principles. We are especially interested in candidates who reside in the Puget Sound region and who come from communities historically marginalized by government policy. Women, Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people are particularly encouraged to apply. 

How to apply

We expect that new board members will step onto the board in January 2025 and serve a term of three years (through December 2027), with the option to renew. If this sounds interesting, please email us a paragraph describing what intrigues you about this opportunity to volunteer [at] theurbanist.org. We will begin scheduling interviews September 30. You may use the same address to ask any questions. Applicants to previous rounds are invited to step up again.

A brief history of The Urbanist

The Urbanist is a fast-growing Seattle-based regional media organization working to provide reporting, commentary, and advocacy to advance our goals of abundant housing, safe, sustainable, and reliable transportation, and a strong, just, decarbonized economy for the Puget Sound region. We run a widely-read online publication, engage in targeted advocacy, and run events for our readers.

Since we were founded over 10 years ago, The Urbanist has grown steadily from an all-volunteer operation to an organization that employs a full-time publisher and contributing editor, pays for an increasing amount of the reporting we publish, and continues to expand our coverage to more of the Puget Sound region.

If you don’t have time or energy to volunteer with The Urbanist right now, you can still support our work by becoming a donating member. Thank you.

Spring Member Drive: We’ve Come a Long Way in 10 Years