Director of Community Relations and Development

The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division seeks a Community Relations & Development Manager to strengthen partnerships, expand fundraising, and boost volunteer engagement across the South Central Area Command. You will cultivate relationships with churches, civic groups, donors, and community leaders to secure resources and advance the Salvation Army mission.

Responsibilities include planning and leading fundraising initiatives, coordinating events, and guiding volunteers while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following fields: Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, Human Services, Social Work, or Community Development.
• Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in community relations, engagement, development, volunteer management, or nonprofit program development.

Responsibilities

• Develop, revive, and maintain strategic relationships with churches, civic organizations, schools, nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders to expand awareness, support, and resources for The Salvation Army.
• Increase community awareness of the Salvation Army's mission, programs, services, and impact through outreach, storytelling, presentations, media engagement, and community involvement.
• Lead fundraising and donor development initiatives, including annual plans, sponsorships, grants, and special events.
• Coordinate and expand volunteer recruitment, development, and stewardship efforts for fundraisers and programs.
• Collaborate across departments to align funding priorities with organizational needs and ensure effective program support.

Skills

Relationship Building

Fundraising

Volunteer Management

Public Speaking

Community Outreach

Education

Nonprofit Management

Public Administration

Communications

Public Relations

Marketing

Business Administration

Human Services

Social Work

Community Development

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Job Objective

To strengthen the South Central Area Command’s community impact by developing strategic partnerships, advancing fundraising and philanthropic support, and increasing volunteer engagement. This position builds relationships with donors, businesses, churches, civic organizations, and community leaders to expand resources, support programs and services, and advance The Salvation Army’s mission.

Essential Functions

Community Engagement, Awareness & Partnerships

• Develop, strengthen, revive, and maintain strategic relationships with churches, civic organizations, schools, nonprofits, businesses, service clubs, community leaders, and other partners to expand awareness, support, and resources for The Salvation Army.
• Increase community awareness of The Salvation Army's mission, programs, services, and impact through proactive outreach, storytelling, presentations, media engagement, and community involvement.
• Represent The Salvation Army at community meetings, networking events, collaborative initiatives, media opportunities, and public functions.
• Market and promote The Salvation Army to businesses, organizations, churches, and community groups to increase financial support, volunteer involvement, and community partnerships.
• Make and coordinate presentations to service clubs, schools, businesses, churches, and community organizations to educate the public, build relationships, recruit volunteers, and generate financial support.
• Serve as liaison with community support organizations, government agencies, United Way, and Salvation Army counterparts to strengthen collaborative partnerships and maximize community impact.
• Identify and develop opportunities for new partnerships, outreach initiatives, and community-based support that advance the mission.

Fundraising, Donor Development & Resource Generation

• Serve as a frontline fundraiser to advance mission effectiveness, increase philanthropic support, and achieve fundraising goals.
• Develop and manage an annual fundraising plan, track progress toward development goals, analyze results, and make revisions as needed.
• Create and implement strategies to secure donations, sponsorships, grants, tax credit funding, and other revenue opportunities from individuals, corporations, foundations, churches, civic organizations, and government sources.
• Lead all efforts for special events and fundraising initiatives, including, but not limited to: Civic Event, Angel Tree, Share the Season, Back to School Supplies, Coats, Fan Distribution and emerging fundraising efforts.
• Coordinate and expand third-party fundraising events such as Boot Block, Celebrity Bell Ringing, Advisory Board Ring Day, give-back nights, and other grassroots fundraising opportunities.
• Schedule, coordinate, and participate in donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation visits with current and prospective supporters.
• Track corporate, foundation, and grant funding activity and provide regular fundraising and funding status reports.
• Maintain donor records, stewardship activities, contact management, and recognition efforts within Salesforce.
• Collaborate with leadership team and program staff on grant research, proposal development, reporting, and funding strategies.
• Serve as liaison between program staff and the development team to identify funding priorities and align funding opportunities with organizational needs.

Volunteer Development & Community Involvement

• Recruit, engage, develop, and steward volunteers who support fundraising events, special projects, seasonal initiatives, and year-round programs.
• Build pathways for volunteers, churches, civic groups, and community partners to become long-term advocates, ambassadors, and supporters of The Salvation Army.
• Coordinate volunteer involvement related to fundraising events, community engagement activities, and mission-focused initiatives.
• Participate as an active member of approved service clubs and community organizations to increase visibility, partnerships, and support for The Salvation Army.

Leadership, Planning & Advisory Board Support

• Serve as a member of the SCAC Management Team and contribute to strategic planning, community engagement efforts, and resource development initiatives.
• Work closely with the Advisory Board and actively support the Development, Program Services, and Nominating Committees.
• Develop and maintain the annual Community Relations and Development Calendar to ensure coordinated fundraising, outreach, volunteer engagement, and stewardship activities.
• Maintain current knowledge of fundraising, volunteer engagement, nonprofit development, and community relations best practices through professional development, conferences, and training opportunities.
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following fields:

• Nonprofit Management
• Public Administration
• Communications
• Public Relations
• Marketing
• Business Administration
• Human Services
• Social Work
• Community Development

Relevant experience, as determined by The Salvation Army, may be considered in lieu of education qualification.

Experience: Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in one or more of the following:

• Community relations
• Community engagement
• Development or fundraising
• Volunteer management
• Public relations
• Nonprofit program development
• Partnership development

Experience Should Include

• Building and maintaining relationships with community organizations and stakeholders
• Coordinating community outreach or engagement initiatives
• Planning or supporting fundraising activities
• Recruiting or coordinating volunteers
• Representing an organization with community groups and public audiences
• Managing multiple projects simultaneously

Certifications/Licenses

None

Knowledge, Skills/Abilities

• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with community organizations, donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills
• Knowledge of community engagement, volunteer management, fundraising, and partnership development principles
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and manage multiple projects, events, and priorities simultaneously
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments while exercising initiative and sound judgment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint); experience with donor or constituent relationship management (CRM) software preferred
• Ability to prepare reports, correspondence, grant-related documentation, and other professional communications
• Ability to represent The Salvation Army professionally and effectively within the community
• Knowledge of social media and digital communication platforms for community outreach and storytelling
• Commitment to providing exceptional customer service and fostering positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Supervisory Responsibility

Volunteer Coordinator, Public Relations and Media Specialist

Physical Requirements

Include sitting; climbing and/or balancing; stooping, kneeling, bending, stretching, crouching and/or crawling; standing; walking; manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; use of vision; driving a vehicle; pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying 25 pounds; traveling by airplane; both outdoor and indoor navigation of settings, and standing and/or walking up to 12 hours per day. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of this job.

Travel

Occasional travel throughout division and territory, average 1 week/month

Driving

Driving is required. Employee must possess a valid driver's license from the state in which you reside. Must be approved through The Salvation Army Fleet Safety Program to drive either a Salvation Army or personal vehicle on Salvation Army business.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a typical office environment. However, the office is located in a service center, and this position may interact with clients who have substance use issues or mental health issues occasionally. Clients may not always be appropriate in language or conversation. They may lack social skills.

Additional Note

All employees recognize that The Salvation Army is a church and agree that they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.

The Salvation Army Mission

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.