Advancement Director - Hope for Haiti's Children

Meet Hope for Haiti's Children:

Hope for Haiti’s Children (HFHC) began in 1995 as an all-volunteer partnership effort of two congregations – the Delmas 28 Eglise du Christ in Port-au-Prince and the Connecticut Valley Church of Christ in Windsor, Connecticut. The initial effort began through an invitation to “come and see” from church planter Jeantyrard Elmera to the Windsor congregation. 

This trip left an indelible impact on this Connecticut mission team. The team including Ken Bever [founder and president], his wife Rhonda Bever [co-founder], and Julie Georges [founding board member]. The result of this trip was the formation of Hope for Haiti’s Children, with 13 children sponsored at the newly-built Cite Soleil Christian School.

Over the past 26 years, the sponsorship has grown to include more than 2,200 children who are educated in 10 HFHC-affiliated schools throughout western and central Haiti.  

In 1997, the ministry expanded into orphan care and now oversees two Christian orphanages, where more than 60 children are nurtured and cared for by devoted houseparents. 

In 2008, HFHC purchased 21 acres for a “Hope Center” in the Bois Romain region near Thomazeau, Haiti. The Hope Center now includes facilities for a summer camp for 80 teens/week, a Christian school with 400+ students, a micro-farm, a “U.S. style” mission house for teams of up to 20 members, and the Thomazeau Christian Orphanage.

After the 2010 earthquake, a $5M Rebuilding Hope 2020 infrastructure campaign was launched, with the goal reached in 2019. 

After a joint Haiti-US board assessment of the growth opportunities for HFHC, a new $30M Hope 2030 campaign was launched in 2020. This effort will greatly benefit the schools (by adding sponsored children, providing individual classrooms, sustainable funding a hot-lunch program every school day), benefit both orphanages (by building a new boys dorm at our Hope Center and providing vocational training for all teens), and grow Camp Hope (through building a health and wellness clinic, eating pavilion, expanded staff housing, and recreational facilities). Project Hope 2030 also includes building a $10M general endowment to sustain HFHC programs and facilities.

About the Advancement Director:

Hope for Haiti’s Children (HFHC) is seeking a Director of Advancement to serve as the primary architect and leader of HFHC’s comprehensive, results-oriented development and marketing programs that will advance the organization’s mission and goals. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership in developing strategic initiatives for securing major gifts, annual events, and appeals, corporate and foundation grants. This individual will be highly relational and have proficiencies in managing relationships with current and future major donors and will be expected to attend HFHC events and activities, and fosters significant pride and excitement for fundraising efforts. Travel for this position is required.

The Advancement Director Will Achieve the Following: 

Goals & Expectations

Develop and manage goals, strategies, and timetables for annual fundraising and major gift efforts using a proven standardized system. 

Demonstrate proficiencies in digital and traditional marketing campaigns, online and offline events, endowments, and planned giving efforts.  

Develop and implement programs that include a complementary focus on prospecting and tactics to build key relationships with individuals, churches, corporations, and foundations. 

Manage and coach HFHC’s regional development officers and marketing specialists. 

This position reports to the Vice-President and works closely with the President and Board of Directors.  

Candidates must have a strong commitment to missions and share the beliefs expressed in HFHC’s Statement of Faith.

The candidate must be an active member of a local Church of Christ or a congregation that holds to the same beliefs as listed in HFHC’s Statement of Faith.

Job Duties

Develop and implement short and long-term development plans to meet established goals and objectives. This includes, but is not limited to, strategic initiatives for securing major gifts, annual events and appeals, corporate and foundation grants, defining stewardship and prospecting tactics, cultivation events, and developing new approaches to grow HFHC’s donor base.

Responsible for managing relationships with current and future major donors – working with the President and Vice-President to identify and prioritize efforts and meet financial goals.

Develop and implement HFHC’s planned giving offerings and researches, identify and coordinate contacts with planned giving prospects. Work with the President and Vice-President to identify opportunities for the funding of endowments. Facilitate planned giving seminars and speaking engagements.

Provide daily management of development and marketing office staff including establishing annual goals, providing regular performance reviews and appropriate recognition, and supporting ongoing professional development opportunities.

Serve as the campaign director and provide direct daily management of specifically-focused initiatives to secure major gifts and leadership gifts in support of campaign goals.

Work collaboratively and creatively with the President and Vice-President to appropriately position development opportunities and integrate marketing messages in publications, grant submissions, reports, and collateral materials for cultivating and stewarding donors.

Manage prospect research and cultivation initiatives with a special emphasis on pursuing strategies to secure or increase giving from donors. This includes leading periodic prospective donor trips to Haiti.

Attend HFHC events and activities and foster significant pride and excitement for fundraising efforts.

What You Bring: 

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree required.

4+ years of increasing responsibility in non-profit development/marketing.

Excellent managerial skills including at least 2 years of previous experience successfully managing non-profit development/marketing staff.

Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and/or Certified Development Executive (CDE) certification is preferred.

Required Skills

Demonstrate committed, professional leadership and articulate passion for HFHC’s mission, and exemplify a collaborative, decisive, motivating, and engaging communication style.

Proven track record of fundraising/marketing success, particularly by managing successful non-profit development/marketing campaigns.

4+ years of increasing responsibility in non-profit development/marketing.

Excellent managerial skills including at least 2 years of previous experience successfully managing non-profit development/marketing staff.

Deep appreciation and understanding of HFHC’s mission and the ability to articulate its values and vision internally and externally.

Ability to balance multiple priorities in a complex environment.

Excellent knowledge of non-profit development/marketing best practices, tools, and technology, e-mail, and online campaigns.

Extreme discretion, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence.

Personal Characteristics

Has strong communication skills (verbal and written).

Has natural management skills with successful execution of tasks.

Is detail-oriented and has the ability to manage multiple projects.

Is a strategic thinker with a mind for non-profit development/marketing campaigns.

Is in complete agreement with Church of Christ/Restoration theology.