Talking Bibles International Is approximately a $2 million organization that reaches the unreached and non-literate individuals in Africa and India. They accomplish their mission by providing Talking Bibles in homes and in areas around the world where people cannot read. They network with local pastors, evangelists, and missionaries to share God’s Word, which provides transformational life change and results in new churches.
The Vice President of Development is the key management role of the organization. This individual will cultivate and focus on the acquisition of new major donors for the ministry. This individual will work with the current president to develop and execute a vision for new strategic fundraising techniques.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Talking Bibles International was founded in 1989 by Harvey T. Hoekstra who identified a need among non-readers from oral cultures for access to the Bible. Driven by the belief that an organization dedicated solely to providing God’s spoken Word could address this need Harvey created a non-profit organization dedicated to giving people who could not read access to the Bible.
Since the beginning Talking Bibles International has stayed true to its original mission and today boasts a 2 million dollar-a-year budget. With a staff of 12, a dedicated board of directors, and a donor base of 1800 individuals, churches, and foundations, Talking Bibles has made a significant impact through the placement of TBs in India, Africa, and worldwide.
WHERE THEY ARE TODAY:
Today Talking Bibles International has grown to be a ministry solely focused on providing God’s Word in spoken format. Currently, there are over 800 national pastors and missionaries working towards this goal. Talking Bibles International also extends its reach by supplying Talking Bibles to various ministries and organizations, fostering a broader impact by spreading the message of the Bible to diverse communities.
Their vision is to place at least one Talking Bible in every village in India by 2033. Talking Bibles International also collaborates with multiple ministries across East Africa to achieve its mission of providing Talking Bibles to non-readers in the region. These strategic partnerships play a vital role in furthering our efforts to ensure access to the Word of God for those who cannot read. All of this is funded by a growing number of individual donors, churches, foundations, and businesses.
Opportunities and Challenges
Talking Bibles International is excited about the future and the opportunity to share God’s Word throughout Africa and India. Their team of 12 is passionate about the mission and vision for reaching more and more people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their unique audio Bible is solar powered and contains both the Old and New Testament in the heart language of the recipient. The VP of Development will lead a team of five people in the development department and must have experience in major donor cultivation and acquisition. This individual will need to be called to this organization and have a passion for God’s will, desire for the ministry to succeed, and champion the ministry of Talking Bibles.
Words such as leader, fundraiser, innovator, communicator, strategic, self-motivated, and determined describe this person. This person needs to understand the science and art of donor development and can lead a team toward a vision to grow the entire donor base while being razor-focused on major donors. The VP of Development will need to be an innovator in their ability to attract new major donors and provide excellent care and communication with their current donor base. Lastly, this person will need to have a proactive problem-solving/figure it while balancing and driving towards the strategic plan.
POSITION PROFILE
Title: Vice President of Development
Reports To: President of Talking Bibles
Direct Reports: Partner Relations Manager: Small, Partner Relations Manager: Mid, Communication/Graphics Manager, Partner Relations Processing, Administrator
Position Summary
The ideal candidate will partner with the current President to develop and execute a vision for a new strategy that merges the current traditional approach of Talking Bibles with new innovative fundraising techniques.
This candidate needs to bring new energy and life in powerful and innovative ways to the overall fundraising effort. The candidate should be willing to explore fresh ideas and modes of communication. This individual will Implement a new strategy that unifies the department, leveraging its strengths and talents while devising new and efficient methods for engaging, acquiring, and retaining donors.
The candidate must be able to manage the entire development department as well as all aspects of major-level donor fundraising.
The ideal candidate must have a proven track record of implementing a plan of action that includes goals, strategies, tactics, and expected outcomes for major-level donor fundraising.
Using the power of storytelling the candidate will ignite and kindle the passion for our mission among our donors building a real sense of belonging for those who have found their way to our organization.
The candidate must have a deep belief in and passion for the mission of Talking Bibles International; being able to communicate the organization’s purpose with humble confidence using compelling storyteller techniques.
The candidate must be willing to actively engage with current and future donors to help identify new prospective major-level donors.
The Vice President of Development must ensure that all donor communications produced by the development department align with the mission and core values of Talking Bibles International.
The candidate must understand financial reports and be able to communicate effectively the current fiscal status of the ministry with the donor.
The candidate for this position must be open to learning and adapting new, courageous, and compassionate ways to communicate the message and goals of the development department.
Responsibilities:
Strategy
Develop and execute ongoing donor relation strategies.
Connect with current donors via phone calls, email, handwritten notes, and personal visits for donor retention and growth of donor contributions.
Work collaboratively within the development department to create solicitation strategies and gift proposals that match the objectives of Talking Bibles and the giving interests and capacities of donors.
Fundraising Targets and Portfolio Management
Manage an assigned, dynamic portfolio of major-level donors and prospects with the intent to form deep relationships through regular phone calls, emails, virtual meetings, and personal visits
Responsible for a minimum annual fundraising goal, including both renewable gifts and new incremental revenue. The goal will be determined based on the make-up of the portfolio.
Craft tailored donor management plans for individual donors, culminating in a strategic approach to effectively present proposals for ongoing fundraising projects.
Personally, solicit assigned donor portfolios through annual face-to-face visits, including preparation of personalized materials, such as ministry reports and proposals.
Help create and execute major fundraising campaigns.
Prospect Development
Implement consistent methods to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at the major level.
Work with board members, the current President, and within own network to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward appropriate donors.
Identifies potential planned giving prospects, and solicits them accordingly. Relationship Development
Develop ongoing relationships with major-level donors for the benefit of Talking Bibles’ mission and for the benefit of the donor.
Cultivate, solicit, and identify new major-level donors by networking with established major-level donor fundraisers who are actively involved in the global initiative to support God's mission of reaching the lost.
Other Responsibilities
Collaborate with the Communication team by contributing to the creative strategy and planning for overall cultivation and solicitation efforts (campaigns, website, advertisements, etc.)
Prepare a variety of development reports and related collateral that reflect a communication log, portfolio growth, and prospective donors.
Attend and participate in meetings; provide expertise, information, and assistance to management, staff, and board members.
Utilize and maintain accurate data within the Raiser’s Edge database.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: A competitive salary commensurate upon experience
Office: Remote
Benefits: Medical and IRA matched up to 4%
Vacation: 1 week, with an increase each year
Relocation: Negotiable
Travel: 3 office visits each year and donor visits.
Hiring for this position will not occur until after September 1, 2024
To learn more about the ministry of Talking Bibles International, please visit their website at www.talkingbibles.org. To view their 2023 financials, click here TBI_Financials_FYE_09.30.2023.pdf