Director of Mission Advancement

Terch & Associates Consulting, on behalf of CHUM, is accepting application for the position of Director of Mission Advancement.

About CHUM

Founded in 1973 by a coalition of faith communities, Churches United in Ministry (Chum) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving those experiencing homelessness and poverty in Duluth, Minnesota. As the largest safety net in the region, Chum provides critical services to approximately 8,000 individuals a year through programs including Emergency Shelter, Health and Wellness Clinic, Food Shelf, Street Outreach, and housing services.

Chum’s mission is rooted in compassion and collaboration, bringing together people of faith to meet basic needs, foster stability, and advocate for a just and equitable community. With over 80 employees, Chum is a dynamic and impactful organization that values teamwork, innovation, and a shared commitment to uplifting those in need. Chum is committed to delivering services that are informed by both historic and contemporary forms of marginalization including racism, homophobia, and patriarchy while being responsive to the growing challenges of mental illness and substance misuse. This commitment shapes Chum’s internal culture, community partnerships, and approach to mission advancement, ensuring the organization’s work remains relevant, inclusive, and grounded in dignity and justice.

About the Director of Mission Advancement

The Director of Mission Advancement provides strategic leadership for Chum’s fundraising, donor engagement, communications, advocacy, and congregational outreach efforts. This role supports Chum’s mission by strengthening relationships, advancing philanthropic support, and ensuring consistent, values-driven communication with donors, partners, and the broader community.

This position reports directly to and works with the Executive Director and works closely with the Board of Directors to develop and implement the organization’s annual advancement plan. The Director serves as a key member of Chum’s leadership team and provides oversight and direction to the Mission Advancement Team, ensuring alignment with Chum’s strategic priorities and long-term sustainability.

This position is ideal for an experienced development professional with strong relationship-building and communication skills, a collaborative leadership style, and a deep commitment to equity, justice, and serving marginalized populations.

The successful candidate will be able to clearly articulate Chum’s mission, vision, and impact while fostering a culture of generosity, professionalism, and accountability across staff, board members, and supporters.

Essential Duties

Strategic Leadership & Planning

Develops, implements, and evaluates Chum’s Board-approved annual mission advancement plan to support organizational sustainability, budget goals, and the Strategic Plan. Works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to align fundraising, communications, and engagement strategies with Chum’s mission, vision, and values. Establishes clear priorities, measurable goals, and accountability structures to guide advancement initiatives and assess progress.

Fund Development & Donor Engagement

Leads comprehensive fundraising efforts including annual giving, major gifts, grants, special events, planned giving, and capital campaigns. Identifies, researches, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individual donors, foundations, congregations, and community partners. Maintains and actively manages a portfolio of major donors, ensuring meaningful engagement, stewardship, and long-term relationship building. Fosters a culture of generosity and professionalism among staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

Provides leadership and oversight to the Mission Advancement Team, including staff working in donor engagement, communications and marketing, volunteer engagement, advocacy, congregational outreach, and data management. Supports team members in developing annual strategies, prioritizing workload, tracking progress, and achieving goals within their functional areas. Builds a collaborative, respectful, and mission-centered team culture grounded in trust, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Communications, Advocacy & Organizational Growth

Ensures Chum’s mission, vision, and impact are communicated clearly and consistently to donors, congregations, community partners, and the broader public. Represents Chum at civic, congregational, and community events, maintaining visibility and accessibility for donor and partner engagement. Supports advocacy efforts and systems-level change related to homelessness, poverty, and marginalization. Provides leadership and strategic support for capital campaigns and major fundraising initiatives in partnership with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Campaign Committee.

Financial Oversight & Data Integrity

Oversees reconciliation of revenue generated through fundraising activities with financial reports, working collaboratively with finance staff. Ensures the accuracy, integrity, confidentiality, and timeliness of donor records, acknowledgments, and reports. Maintains compliance with organizational policies, ethical fundraising standards, and reporting requirements for grants and fundraising initiatives.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 5 years of direct or related experience is preferred.
• Previous experience in fund development or mission advancement, including major gift cultivation and stewardship, is required.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising activities such as annual giving, special events, grant writing, planned giving, and capital campaigns.
• Proven ability to engage community leaders and inspire financial and volunteer support across diverse audiences.
• Experience working collaboratively with boards, executive leadership, committees, and volunteers.
• Strong commitment to equity, justice, and serving marginalized populations, with an understanding of historic and contemporary forms of marginalization.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking
• communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate Chum’s mission, vision, values, and impact.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to cultivate trust, goodwill, and long-term partnerships.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, including the ability to build trust, provide
• direction, and foster collaboration.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with high attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, and experience using donor databases and other fundraising-related systems.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, adapt to changing priorities, and respond effectively to unplanned opportunities

Benefits & Pay

Compensation starts between $70,000 - $80,000 plus a full suite of benefits including PTO, Paid Holidays, Paid Bereavement Leave, Retirement, and Health/Dental Insurance among other benefits.