Vice President of Development, Community Action House
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About the Position
Summary
Community Action House is one of West Michigan’s most trusted and beloved nonprofits – an organization that brings together individuals, faith communities, businesses, and civic partners to do something simple and powerful: help neighbors pursue healthier, more stable lives. With deep roots in Ottawa and Allegan counties, momentum fueled by recent program launches, and an ambitious vision, Community Action House is at an exciting inflection point — and is seeking a Vice President of Development to serve as a thought partner to the CEO on program growth, geographic expansion, and long-term philanthropic strategy, while also being the person who rolls up their sleeves, builds the accountability structures, and mentors the team to execute.
As systems shift and family budgets are strained, the organization’s mission is more critical than ever. This isn’t a role for someone who wants to maintain. It’s for someone who wants to build. The VP of Development will join the Strategic Leadership Team, report directly to the CEO, and own the full arc of fundraising – from strategy to systems to personal major gift cultivation. You’ll inherit a healthy, growing development program and a talented team eager for leadership. The question isn’t whether Community Action House can grow. The question is how far – and how fast.
Job Duties
Development Strategy, Leadership and Accountability
Serve on the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), contributing to organizational vision and representing the development function at the highest level.
Partner with the CEO to develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with CAH’s growth goals.
Lead network expansion efforts, actively cultivating new relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, faith communities, and foundations that extend CAH’s reach.
Establish and maintain KPI dashboards across leading and lagging indicators; use data to drive decisions and communicate progress to senior leaders and the board.
Explore and implement technology and automation solutions that streamline development operations, while preserving the relational dimensions of donor engagement central to CAH’s culture.
Monitor and report regularly on development progress; present statistical analysis to board and senior leadership.
Gift Cultivation
Build and personally manage a major donor portfolio at the $5,000+ level, including high-net-worth individuals, foundations, faith communities, and corporate partners.
Oversee impactful fundraising events.
Develop and execute a planned giving strategy.
Development Systems and Operations
Establish the systems, infrastructure, and accountability structures needed to grow CAH’s fundraising capacity — writing the playbook, not waiting for one.
Ensure effective annual fund strategy, including campaigns, mail, email, and social giving.
Develop stewardship programs that deepen donor ties and maximize retention.
Oversee major donor and planned giving strategies, systems, and pipelines.
Systematize grants revenue — seeking, renewing, and growing grant support.
Manage a coordinated effort with volunteer and program teams to maximize donor acquisition, cultivation, and engagement.
Lead capital campaign strategy and execution from start to close.
Maximize CRM functionality (currently transitioning from Neon to Virtuous) and ensure team-wide best practices and documented SOPs.
Develop an annual case for support in partnership with the Communications department.
Team Development and Leadership
Lead, develop, and mentor a growing development team (Annual Fund Manager, Donor Engagement Manager, Events Manager, Grants & Partnerships Manager), providing both strategic direction and tactical coaching.
Establish annual plans and monitor quarterly progress toward goals.
Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure information flow and project success.
Partner with the CEO and board of directors to strengthen and support board members’ fundraising engagement.
Requirements
Job Knowledge, Education, Skills and Abilities
12+ years of relevant experience required; 6+ years of supervisory experience required.
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred; or in place of a degree, equivalent years of experience.
Fundraising training and certification(s) preferred (CFRE or similar).
Valid driver’s license (or ability to obtain).
Proven track record growing a multi-million dollar development program across the full fundraising ecosystem: major gifts, grants, capital campaigns, annual fund, events, and planned giving.
Demonstrated capital campaign experience – strategy through close, not just a supporting role.
Major gift cultivation and portfolio management experience at the $5,000+ level.
Experience building or overhauling development systems, processes, and team infrastructure from the ground up.
Metrics-driven approach with demonstrated ability to build and use dashboards to track KPIs and inform strategy.
Proficiency with donor CRM platforms; experience with Virtuous a plus.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills across diverse audiences – donors, board members, faith partners, community stakeholders.
Comfortable engaging and inspiring people of varied backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives.
Located in or genuinely energized to establish an active presence in the Holland/Zeeland/lakeshore region – this is a community-presence role, not remote-first.
Salary Range
How to Apply
If this seems like an excellent fit for you, please send your resume to Bri McKee at bri.mckee@themavgroup.com
About the Organization
Community Action House is a West Michigan nonprofit that provides neighbors in need with access to food, clothing, housing, and financial empowerment resources — all through a coordinated, relationship-centered approach designed to move people from crisis to stability. Founded in 1969 and powered by over 3,000 annual volunteers working alongside 80+ staff, the organization operates programs ranging from their membership-based Food Club and Opportunity Hub, to their Community Kitchen and Street Outreach efforts for those experiencing homelessness, to Financial Wellness programming, and more. At its core, Community Action House believes that when dignified access to essential needs is combined with genuine human connection and partnership, it becomes a powerful starting point for lasting progress in the lives of our neighbors.
Our Vision: A community where all neighbors have what they need to thrive, and no one faces challenges alone.
Our Mission: Provide area families and individuals with food, clothing, shelter and the opportunity to build necessary skills to achieve a stable and prosperous life.
Our Values: Who we are. Who we aspire to be. What drives us. What unites us.
We are Radically Welcoming: We cultivate experiences of welcome and belonging for all.
We are Guest-Centered: We put our guests’ needs and perspectives at the center of our decision-making.
We Lead with Kindness: We choose compassion over judgment and assume positive intent.
We are Curiosity-Driven: We are always asking, always exploring, always learning.
We are Always Improving: There are always better ways, big and small alike – and we’re all empowered to find them.
We are Collaborative by Design: We seek partnerships and celebrate shared wins because social change is a team sport.
We demonstrate Contagious Commitment: We are passionate about our mission and attract others to our cause.
We are One Team: We serve, solve, and celebrate together – because together is the way.
Our Culture: Cultivating welcome and excellence. Relying on each other.