Director of Community & Faith Partnerships

New Life Centers of Chicagoland connects young people and their families to Christ and Community through mentoring, education, sports and play, restorative justice, and community care. New Life Centers operates in five neighborhoods in Chicago in the Little Village, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, Brighton Park, and Archer Heights communities of Chicago. Our holistic program model enables us to fulfill our Mission and Vision: Young people and their families connecting with Christ and Community through restorative justice, safe spaces and life-on-life relationships to create the Beloved Community together.

Position Summary

The Director of Community & Faith Partnerships position is full-time, 40 hours per week (exempt, benefits eligible). The Director of Community & Faith Partnerships is a revenue-generating role focused on building, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with churches, faith communities, corporate partners, and mission-aligned organizations to advance the work of New Life Centers. Serving as a primary liaison to faith-based and community partners, this role develops strategic partnerships that lead to philanthropic investment, sponsorship support, and long-term engagement, while identifying opportunities for congregations, leaders, and individuals to contribute financially and through volunteer involvement, with a strong emphasis on relationship-building and revenue growth. The Community & Faith Partnerships Coordinator reports to the Vice President of Advancement. Will require some local travel (reimbursable). Pay commensurate with experience. This position is in-person.

Core Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with pastors, ministry leaders, and faith groups/organizations.
• Coordinate church visits, presentations, partnership meetings, and ministry engagements.
• Identify and cultivate new church partnerships aligned with the mission of New Life Centers.
• Foster relationships with church leadership as potential donors and strategic partners.
• Encourage financial support from churches through offerings, mission partnerships, sponsorships, and congregational giving initiatives.
• Maintain consistent communication and stewardship with church partners to strengthen long-term engagement and support.

Revenue Generation & Partnership Development

• Manage and expand a portfolio of faith, corporate and community-based supporters.
• Generate philanthropic revenue by developing and managing faith-based partnerships, business and corporate sponsorships, and community-based fundraising initiatives.
• Strategically seek and secure corporate and community sponsorships for events and fundraising initiatives.

Donor Identification & Pipeline Development

• Identify individuals within faith communities who may have interest or capacity to support New Life Centers financially.
• Identify and qualify prospective donors emerging from church partnerships and faith community relationships.
• Collaborate with the Director of Individual & Major Gifts to cultivate and steward donors transitioning into the individual donor pipeline.
• Maintain and track church relationships, donor engagement, and prospect activity within the Virtuous CRM system.

Donor Stewardship & Engagement

• Steward relationships with church partners and faith-based donors through regular communication, appreciation, and impact updates.
• Coordinate donor tours, partner appreciation gatherings, and recognition activities.
• Support the implementation of systems and processes that track donor experience and engagement.

Community Representation

• Serve as an ambassador for New Life Centers within faith communities and partner organizations.
• Conduct presentations and speaking engagements to share the mission and impact of New Life Centers.
• Represent New Life Centers at church services, community gatherings, and partner events.
• Engage with community leaders and elected/public officials to strengthen awareness and support for New Life Centers.

Fundraising Support & Coordination

• Collaborate with the Director of Individual & Major Gifts and Marketing Coordinator to implement fundraising strategies and communication strategies.
• Support the coordination and promotion of fundraising events and community engagement initiatives.
• Promote fundraising opportunities and events to churches, partners, and community members.

Data, Reporting & Systems

• Utilize the Virtuous CRM and other systems to track church engagement, donor relationships, and prospect activity.
• Provide regular reports on church engagement, donor prospects, sponsorship activity, and partnership revenue.
• Ensure reporting requirements are completed accurately and on time.
• Support the maintenance of systems that track donor and partner engagement.
• Will engage with the development team tracking systems and reporting.

Organizational Engagement

• Attend program visits and meetings to remain knowledgeable about New Life Centers' programs and impact.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and organizational events.
• Demonstrate New Life Centers' mission and values in all interactions.
• Meets with key leadership and attends program visits to stay knowledgeable of current operations/successes/needs.
• Supervision includes on-site visits, regular check-ins, and break-out planning meetings.
• Participates in evaluations and audits as required.
• Coordinates necessary meetings with team, community members, partners and potential partners as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Advancement.

Skills & Qualifications

• Must become a Certified Mandated Reporter. Training provided.
• Must pass a background check, must not have any pending cases.
• Must pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System background check.
• Must pass a National Sex Offender Registry background check.
• Must have a working phone and phone number.
• One year experience working with at-risk population.
• Completed relevant coursework/field of study in fundraising, communications, etc.
• Cross-cultural competency.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally.
• 5 years minimum experience in professional fundraising.
• Have knowledge and experience in fundraising techniques, particularly major gift fundraising.
• Demonstrates strength in communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relational skills.
• Ability to effectively motivate staff, board members, and volunteers.
• Effectively initiates and steward donor relationships.
• Is a goal driven to initiate donor visits and fundraising calls strategically.
• Exhibits follow-through on tasks and goals.
• Displays a positive attitude, shows concern for people and community, demonstrates self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.
• Strong experience with use of social media and other communication portals.
• Comfortable in creating presentations and providing direction for creation of videos and communication materials.
• Knowledge of restorative justice, violence prevention, and youth development helpful.
• Ability to effectively work independently, problem-solve, multi-task and take initiative.
• High organization and detail-oriented skill ability.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must be willing to be trained, and proficiently utilize database(s) and information tracking systems relevant to duties.
• Must keep confidentiality of participant information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Valid Illinois driver's license, insurance, good driving record, access to a vehicle. Subject to driving background check.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials

• Cover letter indicating your experience and interest in the position
• Resume
• List of three references with contact information (minimum 2 professional references, email and phone number included)
• Please mention the name of any New Life Centers staff who referred the position to you if applicable.

New Life Centers provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. New Life Centers complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.