Director of Development

Company: The Colossian Forum
Location: Grand Rapids
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

ORGANIZATION The Colossian Forum (“ TCF ”) is dedicated to equipping Christians to display the beauty of Christ right at the heart of our most painful conflicts, teaching believers to talk, discern, and act together as Christians in faithful ways that our divided world can no longer imagine. To that end, TCF has fine-tuned innovative practices for helping Christian organizations (like churches, schools, and nonprofits) face into the challenges stemming from internal or external conflicts. Through thought-leadership and programming—including public events, small-group curricula, leader training and coaching, and intentional relationships—we prove that divisive issues can become catalysts to build healthy and life-giving communities that are growing in love of God and neighbor. As a young yet well-established nonprofit ministry, TCF is positioned to grow dramatically over the next few years both in size and influence. Our vision is for transformed Christian communities—transformed from places of combative polarization (and losing credibility with young people and in larger society) to places that are charitable, thoughtful, and able to engage tough problems. Communities that know that even in disagreements, “all things hold together in Christ” (Col. 1:17). OPPORTUNITY We are seeking a passionate, relational, missional, and highly motivated Director of Development (“Director”) to lead TCF into our next stage of organizational development as we aim to become financially self-sustaining through the growth of a vibrant community of donors. TCF has a faithful base of both individual donors and foundation partners, and the Director will have ample opportunities to mature that base with dynamic and proven development best practices while leveraging TCF’s unique and inspirational mission to build meaningful long-term relationships with a wide variety of people across the ideological spectrum. This position offers the opportunity to bear witness to the growing fruit of the Spirit in people’s lives as the Church is transformed more fully into the likeness of Christ even in the midst of conflict and difference. Working alongside passionate and talented colleagues, the Director will have the chance to grow professionally and personally as they undertake purposeful work for God’s Kingdom. AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY The Director will be responsible for developing and executing TCF’s strategy to cultivate a diverse portfolio of individual donors and foundation partners. Segments include, but are not limited to: general, mid-level, and major donors as well as foundation, organizational, and corporate partners—with an emphasis on individuals and institutions whose values are strategically aligned with those of TCF. The Director will also assist in cultivating and following up with select partners in the President’s portfolio of donors, thus maintaining alignment with relationship strategies and outcomes. These responsibilities will be achieved primarily through the following essential functions: Actively manage and engage a portfolio of donors by emphasizing relationships including giving appropriate attention to prospect capacity and solicitation strategy as donors are moved through the donor cycle. Work collaboratively with the President and Board of Directors to determine long-term development objectives as well as create and manage strategic and detailed plans to meet those objectives. Establish annual fundraising priorities and KPIs to ensure progress toward TCF’s development objectives including creating and providing monthly reports to management on the status of development activities and results. Oversee semiannual funding appeals to reach TCF’s solicitation goals. Develop and execute strategies to identify and cultivate donor prospects in order to generate funding for TCF’s fundraising initiatives, including capital campaigns. Engage donors and other funding partners to help secure major gifts including supporting the President in their efforts to cultivate a portfolio of major donors and foundations. Lead, coach, manage, and support the Development Manager in their day-to-day work as a fundraising professional. Oversee all aspects of fundraising and cultivation events including assisting in the creation of goals for how these events serve the overall development strategy; ensure events are mission connected and meaningful in moving donors forward. Cultivate, steward, and grow relationships with foundation and grant-making partners, including identifying new funding opportunities, developing cultivation strategies, and collaborating on proposal development. Facilitate an organizational culture of philanthropy at TCF by providing fundraising training to colleagues, where applicable, and championing advancement activities in team meetings and as a part of TCF’s programming efforts. Oversee donor communication messages, the direct mail/email process, and the donor communication calendar to ensure best practices are being met or exceeded. Work closely with TCF’s dedicated Marketing & Communications Team, which provides strategic and execution support for development initiatives, donor communications, and campaign-related messaging. In a timely fashion, document prospect activity, track proposal status, and communicate and record information about prospects in the donor database. Actively participate in prospect management meetings, campaign planning, team collaboration, and team meetings. Travel regionally and nationally up to 15% of the time. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS A deep resonance with TCF’s mission, as well as a disposition for ongoing learning related to the organization’s mission and purpose. Strong Christian faith and character, and agreement with the Nicene Creed . A passion for working on behalf of the Church, with an unshakable belief in the Church’s potential to be winsome in an increasingly uninviting world. Bachelor’s degree or higher, and 3-5 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience. Strength in organization, execution, and follow-up, with a proven ability to partner with senior leadership to align organizational priorities and measure success. Superior interpersonal communication and writing skills with a gift for clearly discussing complex issues in ways that energize listeners. Strong listening skills to hear donors’ and other stakeholders’ passions and an ability to connect those passions to TCF’s mission. Adept at balancing multiple priorities and competing deadlines while keeping a tight focus on TCF’s overarching fundraising goals and desired development outcomes. Familiarity with organizing and executing fundraising campaigns. Demonstrated ability to effectively engage, support, and collaborate with volunteers and governing boards to advance fundraising goals. High self-motivation, accountability, and ability to make decisions independently. Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional nights and weekends. Proficiency in or ability to learn Microsoft Office/Google suite and nonprofit database management (preferably Salesforce). The Colossian Forum is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V). This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature, and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by the Director of Development. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required to do this job.

Keywords: The Colossian Forum, Midland , Director of Development, PR / Public Relations , Grand Rapids, Michigan