Church Relations Officer

FREE WHEELCHAIR MISSION; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Free Wheelchair Mission in Irvine, CA seeks a Church Relations Officer to grow and manage church partnerships, secure financial support, and expand engagement nationwide. You will steward a portfolio, identify giving opportunities, and work with Major Gifts Officers on larger opportunities.

Travel is occasional, including weekends, with Sunday work required. The role requires strong public speaking, relationship-building, and a proven track record in fundraising or sales within nonprofit

Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in sales, business development, or nonprofit development.
• Proven success securing financial commitments through fundraising or partnerships.
• Experience serving church staff or ministry volunteers with understanding of church decision-making.
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a portfolio of base- and mid-level church partnerships.
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward church partnerships with direct asks for support.
• Develop a plan to retain and grow partnerships and collaborate to achieve revenue growth.
• Identify and pursue new church leads through outreach and relationship development.
• Maintain a pipeline with projected revenue and next steps toward commitments.
• Meet annual revenue goals and accurate forecasts for the portfolio.
• Represent Free Wheelchair Mission at churches and events with compelling presentations.
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed to speak on behalf of the organization.

Skills

Church partnerships

Sales

Business development

Public speaking

Donor fundraising

Job description

Free Wheelchair Mission (FWM) is a humanitarian, faith-based, non-profit organization based in Irvine, California, USA. Our mission is to “Transform lives through the gift of mobility to people with disabilities living in developing nations as motivated by Jesus Christ.”

There are an estimated 80 million people around the world today in need of a wheelchair. We are focused and committed to being a leading provider of mobility in developing countries, but beyond placing a recipient in a wheelchair, we are bringing transformation that opens doors to education, employment opportunities, and community that these individuals only dreamed of before receiving the gift of mobility.

Free Wheelchair Mission is seeking a Church Relations Officer who not only meets the requirements of the job but has an interest in being part of an organization that is making a significant difference in the lives of individuals in need throughout the world.

Job Summary:

Manage and grow a comprehensive church partnership program by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and expanding long-term relationships with current and prospective church partners. This role is responsible for generating new church partnerships, increasing engagement and financial support, managing a portfolio of church relationships, and contributing to annual revenue goals. The Church Relations Officer serves as a key representative of Free Wheelchair Mission through church presentations, speaking engagements, and relationship-building opportunities while partnering closely with Major Gifts Officers on strategic opportunities to build and grow our focus markets.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain a portfolio of base- and mid-level church partnerships.
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward church partnerships by making direct asks for financial support, securing commitments, and identifying and pursuing giving opportunities such as missions budgets, special offerings, event or program sponsorships, matching gifts, and multi-year commitments.
• Develop and execute a strategic plan to retain and grow existing church partnerships and establish new church relationships nationwide. Collaborate with the Director of Development to refine the approach and achieve a 15% year-over-year revenue increase for the program.
• Proactively identify and pursue new church leads through outreach, networking, cold calling, and relationship development.
• Manage a qualified church pipeline with projected revenue, next steps, target ask amounts, and clear movement toward commitment.
• Meet annual revenue goals for the church program and provide timely, accurate forecasts based on portfolio activity and donor readiness.
• Serve as a dynamic spokesperson for Free Wheelchair Mission at churches, conferences, and events—delivering compelling presentations that inspire engagement and partnership.
• Establish and develop strong relationships with churches by identifying partnership opportunities within Orange County and out-of-state as needed. Conduct face-to-face meetings with potential and existing churches. Sunday work will be required.
• Available for occasional domestic and international travel, including weekends, to speak on behalf of Free Wheelchair Mission at churches.
• Partner closely with the Major Gifts Officers on larger opportunities while continuing to continue to advance, and close appropriate opportunities within the Church Relations portfolio.
• Maintain consistent and accurate records of all communications and activities in the database.
• Maintain high levels of outreach activity, including calls, meetings, and follow-up, with a strong emphasis on pipeline development.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by the direct supervisor.
• Share the message of Free Wheelchair Mission and our vision.

Minimum Experience and Required Skills:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in sales, business development, or nonprofit development.

• Demonstrated prior success securing financial commitments through fundraising, sales, business development, church partnerships, or ministry fundraising.

• Experience serving church staff, in pastoral leadership, or as a key volunteer, with a deep understanding of church structure and decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in ministerial environments is highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of church organizational and decision-making processes.
• Confident and compelling public speaker with experience preaching, teaching, or presenting in church or ministry contexts.
• Familiarity with denominational distinctives, staff positions, and responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to initiate outreach, including cold calling or direct engagement with churches to build relationships.
• Outstanding verbal, written, and email communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, solve problems, and work as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact diplomatically with diverse donors and groups.
• Proven ability to identify giving potential, move relationships forward, make direct asks, and convert interest into financial partnership.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50pounds.

Compensation:

Depending on qualifications and experience, the annual salary range is $70,000–$90,000.