Family Legacy Missions International (Family Legacy) is a $19 million Christian nonprofit organization with more than 740 staff, including 700 in Zambia and 39 in the U.S., with offices in Dallas, Texas, and Lusaka, Zambia. Family Legacy exists to glorify God by empowering vulnerable children in Zambia to live out their God-given potential.
Through its four core programs — Legacy Academy (educating over 10,000 students), Excel Beyond (helping students complete trades or university study), Tree of Life Children’s Village (full-time care for 400 children on a 130-acre campus), and Camp Life (a cornerstone summer experience engaging thousands of children and hundreds of U.S. ambassadors) — Family Legacy provides holistic care: spiritual, intellectual, physical, and emotional.
Coming alongside this impactful movement, Family Legacy seeks a Vice President of Development to strengthen and expand the organization’s funding base. As a senior leader, this person will build and steward donor relationships, drive major gift and planned giving strategies, and play a vital role in extending Family Legacy’s mission to transform Zambia’s most vulnerable children.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Founded in 2001, Family Legacy Missions International (Family Legacy) exists to glorify God by empowering vulnerable children in Zambia to live out their God-given potential. What began as a small Vacation Bible School led by eight U.S. volunteers has grown into a holistic ministry reaching more than 10,000 students annually through private Christian schools, residential care, and spiritual discipleship.
Family Legacy’s work is anchored in four core programs:
Legacy Academies – providing Christ-centered education for over 10,000 primary and secondary students across Lusaka.
Tree of Life Children’s Village – a 130-acre residential community offering full-time care for 400 of Zambia’s most vulnerable children.
Excel Beyond – equipping students to pursue university education or vocational training to thrive as future leaders.
Camp Life – a cornerstone summer experience uniting thousands of children and hundreds of American ambassadors for gospel-centered transformation.
While the ministry is deeply committed to serving children, it is also passionate about connecting U.S. families with the mission through sponsorship, service trips, and discipleship opportunities. Family Legacy is best known by donors for its Legacy Academies, Tree of Life Village, and Camp Life, and by those it serves as a place of hope, care, and spiritual growth.
Family Legacy is building momentum under new leadership. Its vision is clear: to see Zambia’s most vulnerable children transformed and empowered to become the next generation of godly leaders in their homes, communities, and nation.
AT A GLANCE
Annual Budget: ~$19 million
Staff: 700 Zambia-based, 39 U.S.-based (Dallas HQ + remote)
Founded: 2001
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas & Lusaka, Zambia
Programs:
Legacy Academies – 10,000+ students in primary & secondary education
Excel Beyond – trade certification & university pathways for graduates
Tree of Life Village – 400 children in full-time residential care on a 130-acre campus
Camp Life – annual program serving thousands of Zambian children and engaging U.S. ambassadors
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
Every role in every organization has both opportunities and challenges. We profile these here, based on interviews of those who work closely with this role, to guide candidates who may consider if these are the kinds of opportunities and challenges that suit them best.
Family Legacy is in the midst of a 5-year strategic planning process, building momentum under new CEO leadership while navigating the financial and operational realities of the past several years. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Camp Life — the primary driver of sponsorship growth — leading to reduced sponsorship revenue and increased dependence on less predictable fundraising.
The Vice President of Development will play a central role in expanding funding streams to sustain and grow a $19M annual budget:
$11M Sponsorships
$4M Major Donors & Foundations
$3M Trips
$1M Restricted Gifts
OPPORTUNITIES
Mission Momentum
Deeply committed staff in both Zambia and the U.S.
A loyal donor base eager to see the mission thrive.
Revenue Growth
Expanding major donor and foundation support.
Enhancing digital and data-driven fundraising strategies.
Rebuilding predictable sponsorship revenue as Camp Life returns to pre-Covid involvement.
Strategic Influence
Shape donor engagement that matches the scale of ministry impact.
Use programs to inspire giving.
CHALLENGES
Financial Stability
Need for consistent forecasting and financial modeling.
Balance reliance on sponsorships with broader donor development.
The VP of Development will bring strategic clarity, relational strength, and innovative approaches to harness these opportunities while addressing the challenges — ensuring Family Legacy’s long-term financial sustainability and impact on Zambia’s most vulnerable children. The VP of Development will serve as a planned successor to the Chief Development Officer.
POSITION PROFILE
Job Title: Vice President of Development
Reports to: Chief Development Officer
Job Status: Full-time, exempt
Location: Remote, DFW area preferred
PURPOSE
The Vice President of Development will serve as a catalytic leader in advancing Family Legacy’s mission by shaping and executing a comprehensive development strategy that significantly expands the organization’s reach and impact. In collaboration with the CDO (Chief Development Officer) and working closely with senior leadership, the VP of Development will lead all aspects of fundraising, donor engagement, and resource development. This executive will be charged with building and stewarding transformative relationships with individuals, families, foundations, and churches—securing the financial resources needed to fuel Family Legacy’s long-term sustainability and bold vision. The VP of Development will serve as a planned successor to the Chief Development Officer.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the leadership of the Chief Development Officer, the Vice President of Development will research donor portfolios and develop effective solicitation campaigns as well as steward donors through the major giving process with an emphasis of gifts of $50,000+. The Vice President of Development will also supervise two Development Directors.
Consistently represent Family Legacy with professionalism and warmth, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in service. Model the Ministry’s Standards of Behavior in both conduct and interactions
Address requests and concerns with courtesy, fairness, and objectivity while upholding and advancing the Ministry’s mission, vision, and values
Provide leadership and support to development directors in the pursuit and achievement of their goals
Design, implement, and provide strategic leadership for the major giving program
Develop and implement a comprehensive donor stewardship program
Identify, research, and cultivate relationships with prospective major donors
Monitor and evaluate major gift initiatives, providing weekly updates and insights to the team
Adjust and expand the fundraising plan as new opportunities arise to strengthen and diversify the portfolio
Willingness and opportunity to travel to Zambia as needed for business 2-4 trips per year for 7-14 days each and also several weeks for Camp Life in the summer.
Assist with the preparation for and coordination of the annual audit
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in Business or equivalent
Minimum 7 years of donor development experience in a non-profit
Minimum 5 years of management experience
Experience managing donor database systems
A vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and faithful participation in a local church that is grounded in the truth of biblical Christianity.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Core Competencies:
Servant leadership
Relationship building
Diplomacy, tact, and influence
Communication
Planning and organizing
Problem solving
Project management
Team player
Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
Excellent project management skills with demonstrated ability to coordinate communications, objectives, and tasks between internal and external resources
Operationalizes confidentiality, trust, and candor
Strong proficiency in Excel and other data analysis/reporting tools such as donor database software and prospect research tools
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary: $130-155,000 annually
Benefits: Family Legacy’s comprehensive benefits package includes health care, dental, vision, and wellness plans for you and your entire family. FLMI pays for 100% of their base medical plan premium
Retirement: Yes, we’re thinking about your future through a 403(b) plan with company match
Time Off: Generous paid holidays, paid time off, and wellness days
Wellness: We have an onsite gym for employees at our Dallas location
Soul Care: You will work with colleagues who care and pray for the ministry and one another
Coffee Chats, Taco Talks, Monday Morning Huddles, Wednesday Morning Prayer, Weekly 1:1s, Lunch & Learns and more!
Hybrid Work Schedule in the Dallas office 8:30am - 5pm Monday-Wednesday, and WFH/remote on Thursdays and Fridays. The VP of Development may flex schedule to cultivate donor relationships outside of regular office hours as needed by communicating with the CDO.
Relocation: Negotiable
To learn more about the work of Family Legacy, please visit the website at https://familylegacy.com/. To view their most recent financial statements, https://familylegacy.com/financial-statement/.
If, after prayerfully reviewing this information, you believe this role fits you well, please APPLY below. If you know someone you would like to recommend, please contact:
Chad Carter
Search Consultant
MISSION:LEADERSHIP
mobile :: (615)585-0552
email :: chad@missionleadership.org