April 8th, 2026
Battle Creek Community Foundation
About the Organization
About BCCF
The Battle Creek Community Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to expand possibility and create lasting community impact. Guided by our values, we work alongside donors, nonprofits, and community partners to strengthen opportunity and community well-being. Through thoughtful stewardship of shared resources and collaborative community leadership, BCCF helps turn generosity and shared purpose into lasting impact for today and tomorrow.
Mission
The Battle Creek Community Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to expand opportunity and create lasting community benefit for today and tomorrow.
Vision
A thriving community where everyone belongs.
Values
Guided by the values of Integrity, Stewardship, Equity, Together, and Listening & Learning, BCCF partners with individuals, donors, organizations, and community leaders to expand opportunity and strengthen long-term community impact.
Job Description
The Director of Philanthropy provides executive leadership for the Battle Creek Community Foundation’s philanthropy function and serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. This role leads the development and execution of a comprehensive philanthropy strategy that advances the Foundation’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
The Director of Philanthropy is responsible for growing philanthropic resources, strengthening donor relationships, and advancing community impact through excellent philanthropic services to the community. The position oversees donor engagement, develops strategy, supports stewardship of donor intent, provides philanthropic advising, and supervises affiliate foundation operations.
Working in partnership with the President and CEO, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership team, the Director ensures that philanthropic initiatives are aligned with BCCF’s overall strategic plan and develops and operationalizes departmental strategy for philanthropic goals and services. This leader ensures that philanthropy efforts contribute meaningfully to the Foundation’s long-term community leadership and community impact goals.
Organizational Leadership and Strategic Plan Execution
Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to organization-wide strategy, planning, and decision-making.
Lead the development and implementation of the Philanthropy Department strategic plan, ensuring alignment with BCCF’s organizational strategic priorities.
Translate the organizational strategic plan into clear departmental strategies, measurable goals, and operational plans.
Partner with senior leaders and whole BCCF team, to advance cross-functional initiatives supporting community leadership, grantmaking, donor engagement, and communications.
Provide leadership insight and analysis to the President & CEO and Board regarding philanthropic trends, donor engagement strategies, and community foundation best practices.
Philanthropy Strategy and Fund Development
Develop and lead a comprehensive philanthropy strategy that supports sustainable growth of charitable assets and endowment.
Lead implementation of the annual and multi-year fund development and donor engagement plans.
Advance philanthropic growth through a diverse set of strategies including:
Donor advised funds
Endowment development
Planned giving
Affiliate foundation support and growth
Professional advisor engagement
Ensure philanthropy initiatives support long-term community benefit and donor intent.
Donor Engagement and Stewardship
Lead a donor-centered approach to philanthropy that prioritizes relationship building, stewardship, and philanthropic advising.
Build and maintain relationships with team members, donors, families, advisors, community leaders and community partners.
Ensure high-quality stewardship practices including:
Fund agreements
Donor reporting
Impact storytelling
Fund statements and online access
Ensure responsible management and reporting of all fund classifications for compliance, audit, and donor transparency.
Coordinates donor engagement strategies across the leadership team to ensure clear portfolio alignment and strong stewardship of donor relationships.
Board and Committee Leadership
Provide regular reporting and strategic recommendations to the Board of Trustees, in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team.
Department Leadership and Team Development
Lead, supervise, and develop philanthropy and donor relations staff.
Establish clear performance expectations and professional development goals for department staff.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture.
Ensure effective use of systems, technology, and data to support philanthropy strategy and donor engagement.
Community Leadership and Representation
Represent BCCF in philanthropic networks, community partnerships, and professional collaborations.
Participate in regional, state, and national philanthropic initiatives and community foundation networks.
Serve as an ambassador for BCCF in the local community and at signature Foundation events including the Annual Meeting, Heritage/Trustee and Emeriti Dinner, and multiple other engagement activities.
Maintain significant community presence in multiple settings, for connection and relationship building with community.
Affiliate Foundation Oversight
Provide strategic oversight and coordination for affiliate foundation managers and operations including the Athens and Homer Community Foundations, and Educational Foundations.
Ensure alignment between affiliate activities and the broader BCCF philanthropic and community leadership strategy.
Strategic Partnerships and Advisor Engagement
Partner with the Executive Vice President on donor intent stewardship and alignment of philanthropy with community investment strategies.
Collaborates with the Chief Financial Officer on complex gift structures, planned giving vehicles, and endowment stewardship.
Partner with the President & CEO to ensure alignment between philanthropy strategy, marketing, and communications, including oversight of Marketing and Communications Contracts.
Cultivate relationships with professional advisors including attorneys, financial planners, and accountants.
Qualifications & Skills
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution preferred.
Significant progressive leadership experience in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, or community foundation work.
Demonstrated success developing, implementing, and actualizing philanthropic or fundraising strategies.
Experience working effectively with boards, committees, and high-level volunteers.
Strong relationship-building skills with donors, advisors, and community leaders.
Excellent communication skills including public speaking, presentations, and strategic writing.
Experience coaching and developing teams and leading organizational initiatives.
Commitment to servant-minded and flexible leadership models, donor stewardship, donor-centric model, and community-centered work.
Preferred experience includes:
Community foundation operations
Endowment development
Donor advised funds
Planned giving
Philanthropic advising
Strategic planning leadership
Performance Expectations
• Advancement of BCCF’s strategic philanthropy goals
• Growth in philanthropic assets, donor engagement and retention
• Strong donor stewardship and relationship development
• Effective leadership of the philanthropy team
• Collaboration across the organization to support community impact
• Coordination and collaboration with grants, scholarships, fiscal sponsorship projects,
and all areas of the Foundation’s work
• Demonstration of BCCF’s mission, vision, and values in leadership and decision-making
Contact email for applicants angela.burke@themavgroup.com