Founding Director

Position Overview

The Founding Director is a high-impact, entrepreneurial leader responsible for completing the build-out of RISE as an organization and community. This is not a traditional executive role—it is designed for a builder who thrives in ambiguity, leads through relationships, and can simultaneously advance fundraising, partnerships, and organizational development.

The Director serves as the primary external representative of RISE and works in close partnership with the Board of Trustees. This Kalamazoo-based role requires deep community engagement and relationship-building.

Key Responsibilities

1. Fundraising & Development (Primary Focus)
1. Lead and close the forecasted $3.5M capital campaign through major donor relationships, grants, and community partnerships.
2. Build and steward a strong donor base and long-term funding strategy.
3. Develop diversified revenue streams, including earned income and endowment planning.
4. Oversee communications and storytelling to strengthen visibility and trust.
2. Organizational & Financial Leadership
1. Establish financial systems, infrastructure, and compliance processes.
2. Manage budgets, cash flow, and financial reporting to the Board.
3. Build organizational systems including HR frameworks, policies, and procedures.
4. Support effective board governance and strategic planning.
3. Partnerships & IDD Landscape Navigation
1. Develop relationships with service providers, agencies, and academic partners.
2. Navigate Medicaid waiver systems and ensure regulatory alignment.
3. Establish service agreements that support RISE’s independent, community-based model.
4. Community & Family Engagement
1. Serve as the primary liaison for prospective resident families.
2. Build strong connections with local government, churches, and community stakeholders.
3. Represent RISE publicly as a trusted voice in IDD housing and inclusion.
5. Organizational Development & Launch Preparation
1. Design and implement resident intake processes and readiness frameworks.
2. Support hiring and transition of key staff as the community opens.
3. Develop systems to measure outcomes, impact, and resident well-being.

How to Apply

Research our organization and consider how your calling may fit with our needs, then apply here, including the following :

1. Executive-Level Cover Letter

• Why this mission, this moment
• Your leadership thesis
• Specific outcomes you’ve delivered
• Your first-90-day perspective

2. Executive Resume (2 pages max)

• Revenue/fundraising impact
• Team leadership
• Operational buildouts
• External-facing influence

3. Leadership / Vision Statement

• Your vision for the organization over 2–3+ years
• Strategic pillars 
• How you’ll measure success
• Key risks and how you’ll mitigate them

4. 90-Day (or 6-Month) Action Plan

• Fundraising pipeline creation
• Board engagement strategy
• Operational infrastructure priorities

5. Fundraising Track Record + Strategy

• Past fundraising results
• Example campaigns or initiatives you led

6. Board & Governance Philosophy

• How you built and managed a high-performing board
• Experience with board recruitment, engagement, and accountability
• Governance vs. operations clarity

7. Program / Impact Framework

• Logic model
• Measurement approach
• Scalability considerations

8. Financial Acumen Exhibit

• Sample high-level budget
• Key assumptions
• Unit economics, if applicable

9. Case Studies (1 page, 3 max)

• Situation
• Action
• Result 

10. References

11. Optional Additions

• Stakeholder Map
• Communications Sample
• Personal Leadership Philosophy