Executive Director

FOCUS Ministries, Inc.; Tennessee; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

FOCUS Ministries, Inc. is seeking an Executive Director to guide a capital campaign and build long-term financial sustainability. The role partners with the Board, staff, and community to secure donor support and oversee operations in East Tennessee.

You will lead fundraising strategy, cultivate major gifts, and strengthen partnerships with churches and foundations while serving as the organization’s primary spokesperson.

Qualifications

• Active personal faith and alignment with Christian mission.
• Strong nonprofit fundraising and donor development experience.
• Proven ability to lead, communicate, and influence across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead a capital campaign to strengthen the organization’s financial position.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy.
• Cultivate and steward individual donors, major gifts, churches, and foundations.
• Oversee grant funding opportunities, reporting, and compliance.
• Partner with the Board to expand donor relationships and fundraising capacity.
• Serve as primary ambassador and spokesperson for FOCUS Ministries.

Skills

Relationship building

Fundraising

Donor development

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description

About FOCUS Ministries

FOCUS Ministries is a Christ-centered nonprofit dedicated to providing hope, support, and transformation for incarcerated and justice-impacted women through faith-based programming inside correctional facilities and comprehensive reentry support after release. Our mission is to help women in East Tennessee break cycles of addiction, incarceration, and trauma while discovering true freedom in Christ.

FOCUS Ministries currently operates with an annual budget of approximately $450,000 and, after serving East Tennessee for more than 25 years, is entering a season of strategic growth and sustainability.

Position Overview

FOCUS Ministries is seeking a skilled, relational, and highly motivated Executive Director to guide the organization through a critical transition period. This role will focus primarily on fundraising and financial sustainability, with an urgent need to lead an immediate capital campaign in the coming year.

The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, donors, churches, and community partners to stabilize and strengthen the ministry’s financial foundation. This position is designed as a hands-on leadership role.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Capital Campaign Leadership (Primary Focus)

• Lead and execute an immediate capital campaign to strengthen the organization’s financial position.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with annual and long-term goals.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, major gift prospects, churches, foundations, and community partners.
• Identify and pursue grant funding opportunities; oversee grant writing, reporting, and compliance.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to expand donor relationships and fundraising capacity.
• Strengthen donor engagement, retention, and communication through effective storytelling and outreach.

Organizational Leadership & Operations

• Provide mission-aligned leadership and vision.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of Reentry House and support staff effectiveness and morale.
• Ensure organizational accountability, sound financial practices, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Serve as the primary ambassador and spokesperson for FOCUS Ministries.

Board & Community Engagement

• Maintain consistent communication with the Board, including regular reporting on fundraising progress and organizational health.
• Engage churches, volunteers, and community partners to advance the mission and increase visibility.

Qualifications

Required:

• A personal, active relationship with Jesus Christ and a clear commitment to living out the Christian faith in both personal and professional life.
• Bachelor's degree
• Demonstrated nonprofit experience, with a strong emphasis on fundraising and donor development.
• Proven ability to build relationships and generate financial support.
• Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Alignment with and commitment to the Christian mission and values of FOCUS Ministries.

Preferred:

• Experience leading in a capital campaign.
• Background in faith-based ministry, reentry services, or justice-related nonprofits.
• Experience working closely with a Board of Directors.

Compensation & Work Environment

• Compensation is commensurate with experience.
• Compensation increase anticipated upon successful completion of the capital campaign.
• Primary work location is downtown Knoxville, with a hybrid-friendly schedule available.

Company Description

FOCUS Ministries is a Christ-centered nonprofit organization serving women impacted by incarceration. Through faith-based jail and prison programming, residential transitional living, mentoring, and community partnerships, we help women build a strong foundation for successful reentry. Our mission is to equip women with the spiritual guidance, practical resources, accountability, and support they need to experience lasting freedom and become productive members of their families and communities.

FOCUS Ministries is a Christ-centered nonprofit organization serving women impacted by incarceration. Through faith-based jail and prison programming, residential transitional living, mentoring, and community partnerships, we help women build a strong foundation for successful reentry. Our mission is to equip w