To restore hope and provide opportunities for people to become all that God intends them to be; partner with the local church to put Christian faith into action through service to the community.
 
Outreach Community Ministries, Inc. (OCM or Outreach) and its partner churches are dedicated to putting this mission into action by providing a full range of charitable, educational, religious and community development activities.  These activities help people and the communities they live in realize their God-given potential as uniquely gifted individuals, in their family and community relationships, and in the relationship that they can have with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

OCM has provided more than 30 years of continuous service to the people of Central-Western DuPage County.  The original organization, Wheaton Youth Outreach (WYO), was formed in 1971 by a coalition of local clergy concerned about teenagers and families in distress. Since then, the organization has grown from a few foster care homes for teenage boys into the myriad of programs we now offer from sites in Wheaton, Warrenville and Carol Stream. Since Chris Ellerman, CEO, signed on as the agency’s only employee in 1977, Outreach has grown to a staff of over 80 full and part-time employees and over 600 active volunteers. The philosophy of ministry includes a commitment to neighborhood and community-based services, and a strong commitment to develop and provide services within these communities as long as there are unmet needs requiring creative responses.


Outreach Community Ministries serves communities through five, multi-purpose sites:
 

• Wheaton Youth Outreach is also a youth and family service agency.  It specializes in working with teens, young adults and their families who are in crisis and those who are homeless.  Services include providing transitional housing and permanent, supportive housing to youths and young adults ages 16-29.
• The Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream is a multi-purpose, neighborhood resource center serving the residents in the southern section of Carol Stream. The Center’s goal is to help neighborhood residents work together to build a stronger community. The Center’s staff are professionally trained in education and human services. In their work, they share a common commitment to minister to each client’s physical, social and spiritual needs.
• Warrenville Youth & Family Services is a youth and family service agency for the benefit of the residents of the greater Warrenville area. With a goal of providing residents the opportunity to become all that God intends them to be, WYFS staff are professionally trained to minister to the whole person’s physical social and spiritual needs. Services are available without preference and, where fees apply, based on one’s ability to pay.
• Puente del Pueblo (West Chicago) is a neighborhood resource center located in a large apartment complex.  It is sponsored and financially supported by Wheaton Bible Church.  OCM staff serve at Puente in leadership and community service roles on behalf of the Church.
• York Community Resource Center is the newest site (2014) serving the Brandywine Neighborhood and the surrounding community in Villa Park just southeast of Roosevelt road and Meyers road.  Church partnerships will be at the center of this new adventure.

The Campaign:  JOURNEY OF HOPE
 
The goal for the JOURNEY OF HOPE is to better position Outreach Community Ministries and the local church to meet the expanding community needs in DuPage County.  This unprecedented effort for Outreach will lay out the OCM vision for meeting the pressing needs of the most vulnerable neighbors in the county.  There are four primary vision statements that represent the $5.5 million funding goal for this comprehensive effort. 
 
 

1. Neighborhood Transformation:  $2,145,000 - To be present in every neighborhood in DuPage County where children are at risk and families are vulnerable; providing resources that strengthen families and develop youth.
   1. Strengthen Families – This funding priority will increase Outreach’s capacity across all five neighborhood resource centers to annually serve 300 additional youth and families through counseling and family stabilization ministries.  Hiring new Youth and Family Life Counselors will increase ministry efforts with high-risk juveniles, better serve the Hispanic community and care for adults with untreated mental illness.
   2. Develop Youth – This funding priority will add a Youth Pastor and College Life Coach at the Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream to intensify spiritual formation ministries with 100+ junior high, senior high and college students.  Successful program models will be replicated across Outreach for junior high after school, summer school and mentoring programs; and senior high college preparation programs, summer employment and Christian clubs.
2. Safe Haven for Homeless Youth: $1,600,000 - To lead in the development of Christian community housing, serving both transitional housing needs and more permanent supportive housing needs.
   1. Transitional Housing Centers – This funding priority will develop a new transitional housing center for homeless young men at Jubilee Village.  Safe housing within a Christian community setting, plus on-site support services, will help residents achieve independence within 12-24 months.  Capacity will increase by 10-12 beds for young men.  If additional resources permit, a Transitional Housing Center for young families with school age children will open, increasing capacity by another 12 young adult residents and up to 12 children.

 
 

3. To Train a New Generation: $1,120,000 - To lead DuPage County in the creation of Employment Opportunity Centers serving young adults on the margins of today’s workforce.
   1. Employment Opportunity Centers – this funding priority will establish the first job training center at the Jubilee Furniture resale store in Carol Steam.  Participants will receive in-class training and work experience to access apprenticeships with the center’s corporate partners.  It is hoped capacity will increase from 25 students served in year one to 50-65 students per year.  After the successful program launch, property improvements will include store and warehouse expansions.  If additional resources permit, a permanent facility will be built on the site to centralize all training center activities and program capacity will increase to 50-65 students per year.

 
 

4. To Provide for the Future:  $500,000 - To secure the future of Outreach and ensure that, in partnership with the Church, there is capacity for a presence in every DuPage county neighborhood where vulnerable children and families live.
   1. Scholarships – increase endowment for Transitional Housing and College Opportunity Scholarships and replicate these ministries where needed in the county.
   2. General Endowment – Create a planned giving community to establish a robust General Endowment that secures the future of Outreach.  As resources permit, serve as a consultation, training and management center that equips and supports the church and other entities in the development of local compassion ministries.

 
Note:  Depending on the success of the leadership phase from November 2014 -January 2015, the Board of Trustees will determine in early 2015 if the campaign goal should be extended to $7 million to include stretch goals mentioned above under “as resources permit.”


The Opportunity:  Campaign Director/Major Gift Officer
 
As a key member of the Outreach Community Ministries Resource Development team, and reporting to the Vice President of Resource Development, the Campaign Director/Major Gift Officer will be responsible for leveraging the resources, talents and skills of the philanthropic community in DuPage County, IL to fulfill the agency’s capital campaign and annual fund strategic goals.  This position will also serve as lead Major Gifts Officer for Outreach Community Ministries when the organization is not engaged in an active Campaign.
 
The hired candidate will be an excellent communicator and will take the opportunity to interface, collaborate, and build vital relationships with the community’s leaders, individuals and networks who could be instrumental in funding Campaign objectives and thus serving people benefiting from OCM’s services in the community.  Currently in the leadership phase, the JOURNEY OF HOPE campaign of $5,500,000 will seek to raise capital and endowed funds, including planned gifts over the next three years. 
 
This new position will be filled with an energetic and dynamic fundraiser with a strong appreciation for OCM’s mission and ministry and a commitment to OCM’s Statement of Christian Mission and Faith.  S/he will bring a demonstrated and proven success in generating revenue from individuals, managing campaigns, working effectively with Boards and committees and managing both the strategic and implementation aspects of a campaign while being a confident and effective solicitor.  The ideal candidate will be familiar with the philanthropic climate in DuPage County (or be familiar with similar communities and can immerse and engage quickly) and will have previous work experience at a complex organization with multiple sites, programs and Boards.
 
Performance Objectives
 
Campaign Leadership
 

• Oversee all requisite activities to achieve Campaign and Individual Giving strategic goals

• Serve as an articulate, passionate and visible spokesperson for Outreach Community Ministries, and as the primary face of fundraising and development throughout the upcoming $5.5 million goal campaign
• Provide strategic leadership to Outreach Community Ministry’s efforts to effectively communicate the mission and goals of the upcoming campaign to donors, prospective donors, and the broader community
• Activate, manage, and track activities for Leadership and Major Gift solicitations with the members of the Campaign Leadership Steering Committee
• Oversee donor stewardship strategies with special emphasis on campaign giving
• With other senior members of the OCM team, ensure Campaign gift reporting is accurate with and provide timely updates to key constituencies
• Identify, cultivate and solicit deferred giving donor prospects and begin a planned giving culture at OCM
• Coalesce a campaign prayer team and provide frequent prayer requests and answers to prayer
• Work closely with OCM’s Communications Manager to ensure campaign updates are sent to stakeholders

 
Major Gifts
 

• Identity, cultivate and solicit major and leadership donors for OCM funding priorities
• Cultivate long-term relationships to ensure continued funding and to broaden and deepen relationships with funders
• Nurture partnerships and relationships with current and prospective funders through donor recognition programs and stewardship
• Oversee fundraising strategies for OCM annual fund efforts to include OCM Partner Campaign to increase investors at the $1,000 gift level to 1000 from 400 by December 31, 2016 and increase retention by current members.

 
 
External and Board Relations
 

• Maintain active membership and a strong presence in professional organizations, community groups, and other spaces relevant to the work of Outreach Community Ministries and its mission
• Work with and provide training for Outreach Community Ministries’ Boards and senior leadership team to enhance Campaign and Individual Giving fundraising activities, an overall culture of philanthropy, and to solicit and close gifts for the Campaign and beyond.
• Create and implement a plan to identify and build strong relationships with key donors, community leaders and volunteers, and engage organizations with which Outreach Community Ministries should partner.

 
 
The Qualified Candidate
 
Outreach Community Ministries seeks an innovative, entrepreneurial and seasoned fundraising professional with at least 5-7 years of experience in Development, including progressive experience in Individual Giving and Campaign leadership for a faith-based organization. 
 
S/he will have a demonstrated record of successfully closing personal solicitations and working successfully with Boards and Committees on peer to peer solicitation strategy and implementation.  S/he will be an energetic, natural leader who is passionate and committed to the full mission and vision of OCM.  Involvement in the West Suburban philanthropic community and familiarity with nearby church communities/networks will be helpful.
 
 
Specific Requirements Include:
 
 

• A minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in Development with a concentration in Campaign Leadership and Individual Giving (Major Gifts)
• Demonstrated passion and commitment to the faith-based mission of Outreach Community Ministries
• Proven ability to build strong external relationships with a variety of volunteers, faith organizations, public leadership, partner organizations and other stakeholders
• Track record of success in meeting and exceeding fundraising goals, including experience with securing 5 and 6-figure gifts from individuals
• Track record in developing strategies to successfully increase revenue
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate the active involvement in and the leadership for major fund raising initiatives and events
• Strong analytic and strategic-thinking skills, with demonstrated ability to create, implement and monitor complex plans, and translate those plans into goals and concrete strategies
• Career track record that shows stability with an organization and capacity to develop and nurture relationships culminating in overall success
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills, with the ability to serve as an advocate/spokesperson for the organization
• Team player who can give and take advice and support in order to ensure the fulfillment of the OCM mission
• Entrepreneurial spirit, creative problem solver, and strong collaborator
• Strong and efficient use of Microsoft Office Suite products; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge system is a plus
• A Bachelor’s degree is required, and CFRE or other relevant advanced certification or education is preferred.

 
 
This position offers a competitive salary with generous benefits. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. 
Outreach Community Ministries is a Christian, interdenominational, community service organization and will consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal civil rights law. OCM, Inc. reserves the right to make faith-based hiring decisions as permitted under Title VII (42 U.S.C. Section 2000e – 1(a)
 
 
 
To Apply
 
This search is being managed by Laura Weinman, Senior Consultant and Heather Eddy, CFRE, President and CEO of Alford Executive Search.  To apply, candidates must complete the online application at http://alfordexecutivesearch.applicantstack.com/x/openings and thereon submit their cover letter and resume.  To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, no applications will be accepted via email. Questions may be addressed to Ms. Weinman at lweinman@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
Alford Executive Search (http://www.alfordexecutivesearch.com/), a division of KEES, is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the not-for-profit community through professional staffing solutions.