Director of Strategic Grants and Pastoral Development

Evangelical Covenant Church•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Director of Strategic Grants and Pastoral Development provides visionary program leadership to a portfolio of pastoral formation initiatives, including Thriving in Ministry, Compelling Preaching, and Nurturing Children in Worship and Prayer. This role strengthens the pastoral ecosystem of the Evangelical Covenant Church by guiding program development, ensuring effective implementation, and stewarding financial and relational resources that empower clergy to flourish in ministry. This position also serves as a strategic bridge between denominational ministry priorities and institutional funding. This role leads the denomination’s grant-development strategy, collaborating with grant writers, ministry partners, the advancement team, and denominational leaders to cultivate sustainable funding pathways. This includes seeking new grants, managing current grants, and fostering strong relationships with the Lilly Endowment and other funding bodies to advance innovative ministry efforts.

Requirements

Master’s degree in ministry, Theology, or a related field.
Ordination in the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC).
Minimum of seven (7) years of proven Pastoral ministry, visionary leadership in program development, grant management, nonprofit administration, or a related field.
Extensive knowledge of the ECC pastoral community, affiliate entities, and denominational structures.
Demonstrated commitment to the mission, values, and theological framework of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Demonstrated ability to embrace a vision and pursue it enthusiastically
Demonstrated ability to enlist and manage resources
Mastery of Microsoft and Windows applications and possess computer competency with familiarity of basic communication, database, project management and accounting programs. Comfortable with virtual communication tools (including video conferencing, phone conferencing, etc.).
Adaptability and flexibility in leadership. Self-starter, able to work well independently.
Strong entrepreneurial, organizational, and communication skills (verbal and written).
Influential and effective team leader/player. Able to work with individuals at all levels of organization.
Intercultural agility and competence

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working with Lilly Endowment or other major grant-funding organizations.
Strong track record of managing and securing grants, with an understanding of compliance and reporting requirements.
Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and collaborating across ministry networks.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for Thriving in Ministry, Compelling Preaching, and Nurturing Children in Worship and Prayer, ensuring program effectiveness and mission alignment.
Provide training and support to program staff and ministry partners to foster excellence in program delivery, operations, and evaluation.
Assess program outcomes using data-driven metrics and participant feedback to refine and strengthen offerings.
Partner with ministry area leaders to ensure a proactive, hands-on approach to recruiting participants, ensuring that the opportunities created by secured funding reach their intended audience.
Evaluate and approve new initiatives that align with the overarching vision and impact of each ministry area.
Develop and distribute valuable tools, training, and resources that equip pastors and church leaders to thrive in their ministries.
Foster partnerships with theological institutions, ministry networks, and denominational leaders to enhance program offerings.
Foundation Relations: serve as the primary liaison with the Lilly Endowment and other major funders, nurturing trust and alignment.
Expand Grant Support: actively expand the denomination's private foundation dollars and portfolio by conducting prospect research and securing new funding sources beyond the Lilly Foundation. Increase funding for general operations.
Cultivate Sustainable Programming: prioritize and pursue funding models that promote long-term organizational health and sustainable programming rather than short-term or non-recurring opportunities.
Proposal Development: Translate ministry goals into compelling grant proposals for private foundations, ensuring all applications align with both funder priorities and denominational values. Collaborate with grant writers as needed to design, implement, and evaluate ministry plans in accordance with grant requirements. Lead the research, conceptualization, and writing of new grant proposals that expand the impact and reach of clergy development efforts.
Reporting: ensure accurate, timely annual grant reports demonstrating measurable outcomes, financial responsibility, and long-term sustainability.
Budget Management: manage the $800,000 annual grant budget, verifying that expenditures align with approved purposes, support the intended outcomes, and uphold all reporting and compliance requirements to maintain strong funder relationships.
Executive Liaison: Maintain a working knowledge of all mission priorities and participate in monthly strategy meetings with the Executive Minister of Serve Globally, Executive Minister of Serve Locally, Executive Minister of Serve Clergy, and the Vice President of Mission Priorities to coordinate grant opportunities and cross-departmental opportunities. Actively collaborate with the Executive Director of Advancement to ensure effective information sharing and aligned strategy.
Denominational Team Advocate: While reporting to the Executive Minister of Serve Clergy, this role operates with an "organization-wide" mindset, identifying and funding ministry opportunities that serve the entire denomination.