UNKNOWN NATIONS is approximately a $6.5M organization that work with indigenous missionaries to reach barrier-ridden people groups with the Bible. We provide humanitarian relief, plant churches, and distribute audio Bibles in areas with a 0.00–0.02 gospel presence where Jesus is completely unknown.
The Southeast Regional Director of Development will work with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and others as appropriate to grow and broaden his/her development portfolio at Unknown Nations. The focus of the role is to establish, develop and mature relationships with prospective and existing major donors to expand the ministry of Unknown Nations in your region. The Regional Director of Development will report to the CDO and will be an active participant in the fundraising efforts of the organization.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Unknown Nations is a Christian ministry that began in 1994 with a passion to give people in the developing world the opportunity to become disciples of Jesus. When we learned that more than 3 billion people live in areas without access to the Good News, our hearts were broken. From that moment, God led us to focus all our efforts and resources on reaching the unreached, making it our organization's calling.
Upon realizing that more than 80% of the population who have never heard the gospel are oral learners (those who prefer to learn in a non-literate way), we knew we needed to use an appropriate tool. Our solar-powered audio Bible, the Treasure, is available in over 4,000 languages. Our listening group model is dynamic and fosters long-term discipleship.
As we minister to millions of people overseas in the 10/40 window (the region where unreached people live), we invite local Christians to join in this incredible opportunity. Since most American believers are not actively participating in “the ends of the earth” ministry, we find great fulfillment in offering our tangible ministry model. Reaching the unreached and mobilizing the church in America for strategic international missions is our core mission!
Culture
Highly valuing the Word and prayer.
Embracing positive attitudes.
Living in community and loving each other.
High standards and hard work.
Being focused on our vision.
Being growth minded.
MISSION & STRATEGY
Unknown Nations works with indigenous missionaries to reach barrier-ridden people groups with the Bible. We provide humanitarian relief, plant churches, and distribute audio Bibles in areas with a 0.00–0.02 gospel presence where Jesus is completely unknown. We’re changing lives and bringing hope.
How they Accomplish their Mission:
Strategy
Everyone deserves the opportunity to hear the life-changing message of Jesus. Yet, there are over 7,000 unknown nations on this planet, made up of more than 3 billion people who have never had access to the gospel. Together, we are committed to changing that reality!
With your help, Unknown Nations fearlessly embarks on a journey to the most spiritually distant and unreachable places, guided by a strategic approach that ignites hope in the darkest corners of our world.
They do this through:
1) Fortifying Strategic Outposts
Unknown Nations pours resources into 35+ strategic outposts throughout the 10/40 window that serve 2,200 same or similar cultural missionaries.
2) Leveraging Humanitarian Projects
They. use humanitarian projects to soften hearts in spiritually hostile environments so that they will be more open to the gospel. We never do a humanitarian project in the absence of a gospel distribution:
Medical Aid
Emergency Relief
Water Projects
Medical Aid
3) Making Jesus Known
These unknown nations are spoken-word reliant, usually without the ability to read or write. They solve this by distributing solar powered audio Bibles spoken in their heart language (Isaiah 55:11). This tool, often called “The Treasure’ is taken into their homes where they become disciples by hearing and studying the gospel in their language for the first time.
4) Empowering Church Birthing
Due to the isolated and often dangerous nature of the unknown nations, church planting does not involve a designated pastor moving to a community or the expansion of an existing church. It starts in a small group, fueled by an audio Bible (The Treasure). Its flames are fanned and efforts fortified by our indigenous missionaries who follow up on outreach to help birth the church in the most impossible place.2
:42)
5) Training Leaders
Discipling and training leaders who will multiply is a critical component or our strategy to reach unknown nations. These leaders are equipped to pursue gospel expansion opportunities in the darkest of places as described in 2 Timothy 2:2.
6) Multiplying Gospel Exposure
The ultimate goal is for each nation is to establish its own indigenous church planting movement. At that point, they strategically reallocate resources to bring the gospel to other nations. They repeat the process to more unknown nations (Romans 15:20) through Strategic Outposts, Humanitarian Projects, Audio Bible distribution, Birthing of the Church, Discipling and Training Leaders until the end of the earth is reached.
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
Unknown Nations is excited about the future, which brings hope and salvation to the nations and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. This organization has a clear vision, and a laser focus on its mission to reach unreached nations for Christ. They work through indigenous leaders, delivering the Word of God in audio format (The Treasure) to oral learners living in unreached people groups.
With 70% of the world’s people groups still unreached, the sobering reality is that 66,000 people from these groups die each day without ever hearing the Word of God. This work is challenging, with battles in both the spiritual and physical realms, but it is life-giving, offering eternal salvation and transformation to those who hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the mission is URGENT.
To address this pressing need, the organization has an aggressive growth plan, and this position is strategically a part of this mission. This person must be a hunter, Connector, Communicator and Builder and know how to cultivate new and existing relationships. They should have a proven connection with a network of high net worth, motivated, Christ centered contacts. In addition they need to have the ability to learn, communicate and connect people to a ministry and vision that is new to both you and to potential donors, which entails creating relationships with existing donors and find new ones. This person needs the ability to encourage those who have been primarily local investors to also become ‘Ends of the earth investors’. Because of this mission, this individual must have a passion and calling to “make the ask”.
POSITION PROFILE
Title: Regional Director of Development
Reports To: Chief Development Officer
Position Location: Remote
JOB SUMMARY
The Regional Director of Development will work with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and others as appropriate to grow and broaden his/her development portfolio at Unknown Nations. The focus of the role is to establish, develop and mature relationships with prospective and existing major donors to expand the ministry of Unknown Nations in your region. The Regional Director of Development will report to the CDO and will be an active participant in the fundraising efforts of the organization.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and grow the donor base in your region. Share existing Unknown Nations resources to engage new audiences and donor communities.
Average of 10-15 Substantive Contacts per month to persons who fall into one of three major or principal donor categories: inactive donors, current donors, or potential new donors.
At least 5 each month should be potential new donors. A major donor is someone who gives $10,000 or more per fiscal year to Unknown Nations. A principal donor is one who gives $25,000 or more to Unknown Nations in a fiscal year. A substantive contact is a conversation (in person or via zoom) that results in the furtherance of the gift process: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Must hit pre-identified ROI targets and goals for each year.
Work with Unknown Nations’s CDO and appropriate leadership to track and ensure that principal and major gift prospects/donors in your portfolio are being visited and that a Unknown Nations strategy is in place if appropriate, utilizing leadership at Unknown Nations as appropriate.
Participate in goal setting, prepare proposals, and strategy development for solicitation and stewardship as required for major or principal donors in the portfolio.
Successfully and consistently deliver funding proposals to prospective and current donors as the relationship dictates.
Maintain appropriate electronic documentation on a timely basis, including engagement activities, proposal tracking, contact reports, donor strategies, and forecasting into Bloomerang and other donor software.
Record timely reports, letters, proposals, or gift agreements following donor contact.
Meet with CDO weekly via zoom or as requested. Attend weekly staff meetings via zoom.
Maintain a working knowledge of fundraising best practices; attend seminars and conferences annually for personal growth and development.
Perform other duties as required or requested by the CDO.
QUALIFICATIONS
You should have:
Demonstrated the past ability to create momentum, causing things to happen; must be proactive rather than reactive.
A strong interest in non-profit Christian organizations, a history of giving and working for such organizations and a specific knowledge and passion for the work of Unknown Nations.
The ability to effectively communicate a case for supporting the ministry of Unknown Nations and be comfortable and confident in making the “ask.”
A minimum of three (3) years of successful development and/or fundraising experience and a successful track record in closing major gifts.
ADDITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Be a committed follower of Jesus Christ and an active member of an evangelical Christian Church.
Have an earned BA or Master’s degree, preferably in business, non-profit management, marketing or a related field.
Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Be an organized, concise thinker and communicator.
Be strong, inspirational and persuasive with prospects.
Possess high moral integrity with persevering spirit and drive.
Be able and willing to travel as needed to connect with major and principal donors; able to make evening and weekend presentations when needed.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary: A salary commensurate with experience.
Benefits: Health, Vision Dental—75%/25%.
Vacation: Commensurate with experience.
Other Benefits: 401k (with a 50% match on up to 5% of contributions after 1 year), mileage allowance, cell phone, laptop/printer, and paid life insurance and AD&D coverage after 6 months).
To learn more about the ministry of Unknown Nations, please visit their website at www.unknownnations.com.
If after prayerfully reviewing this information, you sense this role and organization could be a good fit for you, please click on the APPLY NOW button below. If you know someone who may have an interest, please use the social media share and email buttons at the top.