Director Of Development And Congregational Engagement

About Union Church

The historic Union Church congregation was founded in 1853 as an ecumenical (inter-denominational) racially-inclusive Christian community. It was one of the first (if not THE first) to integrate persons of different skin tones and oppose slavery. In 1855 Union Church founded Berea College, the first interracial coeducational college in the southern United States. Today the congregation of 300 is engaged in both on-site and virtual ministries, and continues its strong social justice ministry offering full participation to all without discrimination on the basis of skin color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, financial means, or age.

We are a creative, progressive and inclusive congregation seeking to serve our members and community with innovative mission and support. The work environment is collaborative, social and engaging, full of hard work and good humor. We offer...

• Flexible working hours
• Growth Opportunities
• Modern office and facilities
• Supportive collaboration

Brief summary of this position:

Union Church seeks a development professional to plan and lead Union’s fundraising and Congregational relations initiatives. As a part-time position, the Director of Development and Congregational Relations works in collaboration with Union’s pastor and church staff to increase and diversify funding for Union both within and outside the church community. This position is an integral part of Union’s vision to achieve sustainable funding for its ministries and increase its impact in Berea and surrounding communities, including online.

Education required to ensure success in this position: Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., nonprofit management, business, marketing) preferred

Experiencerequired to ensure success in this position:

• 3-5 years of Development, fund raising, and donor relations experience, preferred
• Experience with religious and/or non-profit institutions

Special Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Deeply passionate about the progressive service and mission of institutions like Union Church and excited about championing the church for impact and reach
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with members, donors, board members, and community partners
• Technically proficient and experience with utilizing contact relational management software.
• Fluent with and knowledgeable of a software systems with a strong knowledge of digital marketing strategies and platforms
• Self-starter and goal driven
• Collaborative but can work independently
• Well-organized and able to meet deadlines
• Works well and inspirationally with volunteers
• Flexibility to work on some Sundays as needed
• Comfortable being held accountable to specific metrics and goals.
• Comfortable and familiar with the inclusive ministry of the congregation. It is not necessary to be a member or a Christian, but the values expressed here should be a passion, not a problem for the successful candidate.
• Proven experience in nonprofit fundraising, including event planning and grant writing
• Understanding of wills, trusts, and estate law for planned giving initiatives
• Experience with email marketing platforms for donor communication

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Certificates, coursework, and experience in nonprofit donor engagement and generosity cultivation will be an asset to the successful candidate

Physical requirements:

• Ability to climb stairs
• Must be able to work with computers, screens, phones

Environmental conditions: None

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:

• Ability to drive to occasional donor meetings
• Facility with computer technology and workflows

Travel Requirements:

• Onsite work with occasional offsite (local) events
• Hybrid work settings may be possible and needed

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Fund Development

• Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to meet the organization's financial goals
• Plan and execute fundraising events, including donor cultivation events, galas, and auctions
• Utilize digital marketing strategies to promote fundraising campaigns and engage with donors
• Manage donor relationships and cultivate new partnerships to increase funding opportunities
• Prepare and submit grant proposals to secure funding from foundations and other grant-making organizations
• Collaborate with the pastor and church boards to create compelling content for fundraising materials and campaigns
• Utilize CRM system and other digital tools to track donor information, manage campaigns, and generate reports
• Stay up-to-date with current trends and best practices in nonprofit fundraising
• Help create and implement the church’s development plan for yearly budget and long-term generosity.
• With Union’s pastor, develop a major giver portfolio
• Develop volunteer team and work with them to oversee gift acknowledgement and giver care
• Work closely with church program and financial teams on engagement goals and strategies
• Other duties as assigned

Communications & Collaboration

• Responsible for communications with donors including storytelling about ministry impact.
• Oversee narratives for grant applications and reporting
• Work closely with pastor and communications staff for messaging calendar, generosity awareness events, and donor engagement tasks.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual who is passionate about nonprofit development. The Development Director will play a crucial role in securing funding for our organization's mission. We offer a competitive salary package and benefits.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience in fundraising and nonprofit management.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Berea, KY 40403