The Organization
The Rescue Mission (TRM), is an $11 million faith-based, 501(c)(3) organization, providing restorative care to men, women, and children experiencing a homeless crisis. Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, TRM’s mission to the surrounding region is to transform lives through the love of Jesus Christ and provide, through the power of Jesus Christ, a home for the homeless, food for the hungry, and hope for their future.
The Opportunity
The Rescue Mission is seeking a Chief Stewardship Officer (CSO) to lead all development efforts as well as the implementation of an overall stewardship strategy. A successful CSO candidate will provide team leadership, management, and accountability for the Stewardship Department. The CSO shall act as the primary strategist for all development efforts including but not limited to partnership development, direct mail, major, mid-level, digital, and recurring gifts as well as capital campaigns, grant procurement, events, marketing, and public relations. As a member of the Executive Team, the CSO shall work collaboratively across the organization to ensure the achievement of that TRM’s goals while building a culture of philanthropy.
THEIR STORY
As a fixture in the nonprofit community of Fort Wayne, TRM has grown steadily over the nearly 120 years of its history. Founded in 1903, The Rescue Mission (TRM), is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that seeks to extend the love, grace and hope of Jesus to assist those facing a homeless crisis or addiction.
In 1964 TRM moved into a new building at 301 W. Superior St. and remained in that location for 56 years. The Fort Wayne Rescue Mission Ministries Foundation was established in the 1990s to ensure long-term financial viability. After a successful capital campaign, in 2020, TRM opened its 80,000-square-foot facility at 404 E. Washington Blvd. With the addition of the new facility, the staff of 92 full-time and 28 part-time employees has enabled TRM to significantly expand its scope of ministry and care. Their CEO Thomas McArthur characterizes their outlook as healthy and excited about the future. They are a growing, effective, and vibrant organization, seeking to expand its impact in Fort Wayne and beyond.
WHAT THEY DO
TRM operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to provide a consistent, safe place for those in crisis to start their journey of recovery and stability in the name of Jesus. Desiring to help the most vulnerable, often TRM is the last stop for those in a homeless crisis in Fort Wayne. TRM often faces the challenges of capacity, trauma, and severe mental illness. The staff at TRM help find solutions for those they serve and adapt to the barriers that present themselves.
TRM takes a holistic approach to healing. The TRM team includes experienced and well-trained staff dedicated to the areas of mental health and clinical care. TRM’s restorative programs help individuals encounter Christ, regain confidence, recover from trauma and addiction, address physical and mental health challenges, gain skills and lay a foundation for a successful future. In doing so, they provide much more than a meal and a warm bed—they provide total transformation.
The staff provides exceptional, loving care for those served by the mission. It continues to be evident that God is honoring the efforts of the employees, the leadership team, and the Board of Directors as they serve the needs of the homeless and helpless. TRM is recognized locally and nationally:
Rated 4 Star/Exceptional by Charity Navigator (2018-22)
Certified by the Best Christian Workplaces Institute as a flourishing employment culture (2022)
ECFA Accredited (2022)
Leading member of the CITYGATE Network
Recognized as a Guidestar Gold Transparency organization
Recognized and respected as one of the leading nonprofits in the region
Currently, TRM operates four separate, yet integrated ministries that function as communities of compassion.
Life House - provides emergency, on-demand shelter, meals, and other essentials.
Charis House - provides short-term and long-term programs, housing support, and recovery for homeless women and children.
Restoration House - provides short-term programs centered on job readiness and community integration along with long-term opportunities which include offering intensive services like trauma and addiction recovery.
Treasure House - a community thrift store that funds The Rescue Mission’s programs and provides vocational opportunities for residents.
To better serve people, TRM runs a Community Resource Center, an impactful site of real change and restored hope. Everyone from community members to Rescue Mission residents can come to the Community Resource Center and connect with any one of the 15 partnering agencies which rotate through the offices. With the Community Resource Center individuals can find assistance with housing, information about insurance, employment resources, and counseling services all in one place.
Serving Fort Wayne, Allen County, and its eleven surrounding counties, TRM is looking for compassionate, creative, adaptable, available, people that are working to further the Lord’s Kingdom.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Rescue Mission is a community-centered ministry. We seek employees who have made a commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Our Mission Statement: “To provide through the power of Jesus Christ, a home for the homeless, food for the hungry and hope for their future.”
Our Vision: “To transform lives through the love of Jesus Christ.”
The Rescue Mission is committed to transforming lives through the love of Jesus Christ. The Rescue Mission considers every position to be one of ministry and a vital and valued part of our religious mission and our team. Therefore, it is essential that all employees of The Rescue Mission have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and subscribe to our Mission, Core Values, Statement of Faith and Christian Code of Conduct. Employees are encouraged and expected to share the Gospel as the Holy Spirit provides such opportunities.
Job Title: Chief Stewardship Officer
Department: Stewardship / Development
Location: Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Reports to: President/CEO
Classification: Exempt
Summary/Objective
The Chief Stewardship Officer (CSO) is responsible for the development and implementation of the overall stewardship strategy to support the organizational budget consistent with the mission and purpose of The Rescue Mission (TRM). The CSO acts as the primary strategist for giving campaigns, while providing team leadership, management, and accountability of the Stewardship Department. This position is directly responsible for leadership of the Stewardship staff and programs including campaigns, partnership development, grant procurement and management, volunteer management, events, marketing, direct mail, and public relations. The CSO works collaboratively across the organization to build a culture of philanthropy and ensure The Rescue Mission’s goals are achieved. The CSO should have the heart of a servant in accordance with Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Essential Functions
Develops, executes, monitors, and evaluates the annual stewardship strategy with short and long-term goals and objectives designed to deepen ministry partner relationships and increase generosity.
Direct reports include the Sr. Vice President of Philanthropy and the Donor Relations Team.
Works in collaboration with the CEO, CFO, and COO to strategically strengthen and culturally align TRM’s staff to the overall missional strategies.
Develop and oversee the segmentation process to identify, research, and cultivate ministry partners through TRM records, including current or former ministry partners, capital campaign partners, event attendees, and volunteers.
Oversees TRM’s new CRM implementation and systems integration process.
Oversees the development and execution of branding, marketing, social media, and other digital platforms to increase generosity, raise awareness, and foster community support.
Further develop and shepherd the volunteer integration process to become more inclusive, align to business engagements, and maximize giving onramps to broaden the impact of TRM in our community.
Strategically align the marketing and communications strategy with the philanthropy objectives through short and long-term goals, budgets creation, progress monitoring, and performance evaluation.
Directs the strategy development and overall execution for major events engaging ministry partners, increasing brand awareness, and growing generosity.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Maintain department staff by collaborating with HR to recruit, select, orient and train employees; maintain a safe, secure, and legal work environment and develop employee growth opportunities.
Accomplish staff results by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; coaching, counseling, and leading employees; coordinating and enforcing systems, policies, procedures, and KPIs.
Other Duties
Attend quarterly All Staff meetings.
Job performance should demonstrate The Rescue Mission’s Core Values; Integrity, Unity and Effectiveness.
Be prepared to pray with and offer spiritual support to others. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Education Training and Experience
Minimum of 7-10 years of senior level fund development experience required.
7-10 years progressive management/leadership experience in business, or nonprofit setting, including director or VP level responsibilities.
Baseline certification in fundraising, CFRE (Certified Fund-Raising Executive), or equivalent experience required.
Proven experience in leading people and managing systems to achieve fundraising goals and substantial increases in revenue while cultivating a work culture that is high performing, developmental, innovative, creative and inspiring.
Direct experience working with nonprofit boards preferred.
Demonstrative success in conducting initial outreach to prospective supporters, arranging for organizational leadership to meet with prospective supporters and successfully preparing them for the meetings.
Demonstrative success generating increased giving from individual ministry partners, both major investors and annual appeals through a coordinated strategic approach.
Experience with ministry partner portfolio management including upgrading investors.
Hands-on experience with CRM databases/software.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Excellent writing skills, especially for grant proposals, reports, and related fundraising materials.
Knowledge of and experience with marketing and public relations activities.
Ability to think creatively about how to effectively engage new ministry partner audiences.
Strong oral communication skills, relationship building and people skills with the ability to proactively share information and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
Honed organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
Knowledge of planned giving, capital campaigns, and experience with online fundraising preferred.
Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, developing solutions, working well with group problem solving and using sound reasoning.
Possess a high degree of emotional intelligence with experience demonstrating discretion and holding sensitive and personal information in confidence.
Physical Demands
Please refer to the ADA Checklist on file for this position to determine the general physical requirements, physical activities, visual acuities and working conditions of this position.
Conclusion
The job description is not an exhaustive list of all job functions. Employees may be required to perform additional job functions as assigned. The company reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. In addition, the job description is not a contract of employment. Employment with The Rescue Mission is at-will. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily. If requested, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Opportunities
Join a great ministry team with a long-established track record of serving the community and step into an executive team that sets and operates out of values of servant leadership.
The development team has a demonstrated upward trajectory of raising funds. This next CSO will have the opportunity craft and implement strategy, build and lead a team of development professionals, and complement with marketing efforts.
There is a strong and compassionate heart within the Fort Wayne community. As a result, there are hundreds of nonprofit organizations focused on helping those in crisis. There is great potential in building bridges and working together versus being in competition with other service nonprofits.
Challenges
This smaller metro market from which to acquire new donors can be seemingly a limiting factor, primarily from the perspective of competing for resources among other agencies, churches, and service providers.
As a Christian ministry, TRM does not receive tax-payer (Federal, State, or Local Government) funding. This allows TRM to focus on their mission to share the hope of Jesus as the hands and feet of Jesus. However, this also eliminates a significant funding revenue stream.
The Fort Wayne community continues to see double digit growth in individuals experiencing a homeless crisis. TRM’s physical and financial growth is essential to continue serving the community and its’ most vulnerable.
ABOUT FORT WAYNE, INDIANA
Fort Wayne, Indiana’s second-largest city blends big-city amenities with small-town charm and is experiencing significant urban and suburban growth. Notable developments, such Promenade Park, a world-class riverfront park destination, and Electric Works, a $286 million renovation from the former General Electric campus to a mixed-use innovation district, that includes a 24/7 prayer room, contribute to the vibrant downtown experience.
With a population of over 250,000, Fort Wayne, Indiana provides an excellent place for residents and their families to thrive. As written by Greater Fort Wayne Inc “Allen County set new records for new jobs and construction value in 2021 and, for the fourth consecutive year, posted positive numbers for attracting and retaining talent.” It’s thrilling to watch the city move forward because with each new change and development, Fort Wayne becomes more than just a nice place to live, but truly a place to call home!
Consistently ranked as one of the best places to raise a family, Fort Wayne boasts a world-class, award-winning children’s zoo; top-rate libraries; over 80 exceptional parks; 120 miles of bike trails, numerous youth sports programs, quality healthcare facilities and a hands-on educational science museum. The schools are among the best in the state, offering magnet programs, college-prep curricula, and experiential learning opportunities for students.
Beyond the low cost of living, there are many reasons to consider relocating to Fort Wayne, such as the beautiful changing seasons and charming Midwest culture. There are many sports teams, clubs, and local organizations in which for you and your family to enjoy.
Home to one of the country’s best minor-league ballparks, watch a TinCaps baseball game at Parkview Field, or frequent the Memorial Coliseum home of the Komets hockey team.
Indiana is also known for various college sports, especially the basketball rivalry between the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers, both perennial contenders in the Big Ten Conference. The Hoosiers boast five NCAA championships, while Purdue remains a dominant force year after year. Additionally, The University of Norte Dame in South Bend features the iconic Fighting Irish football team, with a storied legacy that includes 11 national championships.
Music lovers will appreciate the numerous venues for live music, vibrant music festivals, and a growing number of local artists. A standout feature of Fort Wayne’s music scene is Sweetwater Sound, the #1 online music retailer in the United States. Sweetwater boasts a 44,000-square-foot store that showcases over 1,000 brands, complete with demo rooms and hands-on displays, including the world’s largest pedal display.
From food trucks to farm-to-table restaurants Fort Wayne has a growing food scene. Residents can also enjoy a diversity of food options such as Vietnamese Phở, Guatemalan Pupusas and Empanadas, Cantonese Dim Sum, Japanese Izakaya, and much more. Fort Wayne is also home to numerous food festivals; award-winning wineries, breweries and distilleries along with a year-round farmers’ market.
If you like to travel and explore, within driving distance are destinations like Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Cincinnati which makes Fort Wayne a great home base from where you can take a road trip. The Fort Wayne International airport is also expanding, with terminal construction currently underway to increase the number of gates, add new routes, and improve services. Scott Hinderman, executive director of the airport, explains, “it’s just another indication how northeast Indiana continues to grow.”
As a generous community, Fort Wayne gives support to its organizations both with their time and treasure. There is a positive sense of community in Indiana. Over the past three years, community support has provided resources for The Rescue Mission to build a new $20 million, 80,000 square feet ministry facility with a newly secured and expanded women’s and children’s facility! This generosity reflects the strong sense of community that defines Fort Wayne as a truly special place to live, work, and play.
NEXT STEPS
After prayerfully reviewing this information, if you believe this role fits you, or you know someone you would like to recommend, please apply below or contact:
Yale Kim
Search Consultant
MISSION:LEADERSHIP
email :: yale@missionleadership.org
web :: www.missionleadership.org