Family Promise of West Michigan – Vice President of Advancement – Job Posting
 
Family Promise of West Michigan strives to give parents the hope and encouragement they need to create a better future for their kids and end the cycle of homelessness. Through our prevention, emergency shelter, housing services, homeownership, family stabilization services, and early childhood services, we’ve helped over 2,500 families build a stronger future.
 
At Family Promise of West Michigan, we hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our organization and community stronger. Our culture is the result of our behaviors, our personal commitment, our curiosity, how we collaborate, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same.  This culture brings us together, allows us to stand out, and empowers all of us to connect, belong, and grow.
 
Family Promise of West Michigan is seeking a strategic, driven, and compassionate Vice President of Advancement (VPA) to lead and oversee the organization's development efforts. This senior leadership role will play a key part in advancing our mission of supporting families experiencing homelessness while driving fundraising, community engagement, and organizational growth. The VPA will collaborate closely with the CEO, leadership team, and board to ensure financial sustainability and impactful community partnerships.
 
Family Promise of West Michigan Core Values:

• Has Passion for Mission
• Prioritizes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Is Dedicated to Hospitality
• Collaborates Intentionally
• Is Hungry, Humble, and Smart
• Assumes Good Intent
• Strives for Excellence and Sustained Impact

Strategic Leadership & Fundraising

• Fundraising Strategy & Execution: Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive advancement strategy, including annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns, to meet and exceed the annual fundraising goal of $3 million.
• Data-driven decision-making: Provide regular analysis, reports, and recommendations on fundraising performance and budget alignment to ensure organizational goals are met.
• Growth & Sustainability: Partner with the CEO and leadership team to assess and respond to emerging opportunities and challenges that may impact the organization’s financial health and community relationships.

Team Leadership & Management

• Staff Supervision & Development: Manage, coach, and develop the Advancement team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth. Ensure proper training,  support, and performance evaluations.
• Volunteer & Intern Oversight: Oversee the coordination and recruitment of volunteers and interns to support fundraising and community engagement efforts including in-kind donations.

Community Engagement & Public Relations

• Donor & Partner Cultivation: Lead donor recruitment, stewardship, and retention strategies. Strengthen relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and faith-based partners.
• Special Events & Recognition: Oversee the planning and execution of special events, donor recognition programs, and volunteer appreciation activities that foster community involvement and engagement.
• Community Outreach & Advocacy: Represent Family Promise in the community, including speaking at events, cultivating relationships with congregational leaders, and working closely with local organizations to raise awareness of homelessness and Family Promise's mission.

Operational Excellence

• Private Grant Management: Oversee all aspects of the private grant process, including identifying opportunities, writing proposals, and ensuring timely reporting to funders.
• Technology & Donor Management: Manage donor management systems and ensure accurate tracking and reporting of donations, including integration with marketing efforts.
• Marketing & Communications: Lead the organization’s external communications strategy, including social media, website content, press releases, and marketing materials. Align messaging with Family Promise’s mission and values.

• Work is performed in an office environment and across the community.
• Lifting of materials of up to 40 pounds may be necessary.
• Job will require working occasional evenings and weekends.

• Bachelor’s degree required. Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing or Business Development preferred.
• 5+ years of senior leadership experience preferred, with a proven track record of successful fundraising campaigns and donor relations.
• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit advancement, fundraising, or development preferred.
• A strong understanding of the nonprofit sector, and possessing knowledge of the broader community and the political environment related to homelessness, is highly preferred.
• Goal-driven with excellent relationship management skills  to initiate donor visits and fundraising calls
• Prior experience leading a team, including recruiting, managing, and evaluating staff.
• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to build, lead, and motivate a high-performing team, creating a positive, results-driven environment.
  • Fundraising Expertise: In-depth knowledge of development strategies, including major gifts, annual giving, grants, and capital campaigns.
  • Community Engagement: Experience working with diverse populations and building relationships with a broad spectrum of community partners, including foundations, businesses, congregations, and other nonprofit organizations.
  • Communication: Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills; comfortable speaking to large audiences, and engaging donors and community stakeholders

• Cultural Competence: A deep commitment to diversity, equity,  inclusion, and accessibility with the ability to engage and build relationships with individuals from various cultural, socioeconomic, and faith backgrounds.  Must be committed and supportive or our organizational mission and faith-based initiatives and programming.