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About Christian Appalachian Project (CAP)

Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) is a faith-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ's love through service in Appalachia. Since 1964, CAP has worked alongside individuals, families, and communities across Eastern Kentucky and the surrounding Appalachian region, offering critical programs and services that address poverty and promote dignity, stability, and spiritual growth.

CAP provides a broad range of services, including housing repair and reconstruction, food and distribution, support for children and families, assistance for seniors, and programs for individuals with disabilities. CAP also mobilizes thousands of volunteers annually to extend its reach and deepen its community impact. CAP's work is grounded in the following core values of Faith, Service, and Compassion.

The work CAP accomplishes clearly indicates its vital importance to the Appalachian community. Some of the more recent metrics include more than 12,000 individuals and families served annually across more than a dozen counties in Appalachia; more than 1,000 homes repaired or rebuilt each year through CAP's housing and home safety programs; nearly 1 million pounds of food distributed annually to help combat hunger and food insecurity; and over 13,000 volunteers engaged in service through CAP's short- and long-term volunteer programs in recent years. CAP is consistently ranked as one of the most effective nonprofit organizations serving rural poverty in the United States. Learn more about Christian Appalachian Project by visiting .

The Opportunity

The President/CEO serves as the executive leader of the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP), providing strategic, operational, and spiritual leadership across the organization. This individual ensures that all activities align with CAP's mission to build hope, transform lives, and share Christ's love through service in Appalachia.

Under the direction of the retiring President/CEO, CAP is positioned for continued growth. Over the last several years, major gift fundraising has been a priority for the President/CEO and advancement team. These efforts have paid off as CAP has seen a 13% growth in contributed revenue since the three-year post pandemic. While fundraising will be vital to continued success, the next President/CEO will want to focus on the following initiatives: adapting programming to community needs; fostering an organization culture that focuses on service and compassion; emphasizing a volunteer model that ensures the organization's ability to maintain a committed pool of volunteers; and enhancing efforts to build and maintain a staff dedicated to CAP's mission. The CEO is supported by a long-tenured leadership team who have a deep understanding of the organization and are ready to help transition in the next leader of CAP.

The President/CEO is responsible for protecting and promoting CAP's brand, and fostering a culture rooted in compassion, integrity, and servant leadership, and is essential to continued fundraising efforts for the organization. The President/CEO must demonstrate full alignment with CAP's mission and core values. A strong foundation in Christian principles, a servant's heart, and a deep understanding of the Appalachian community are essential to representing CAP with humility and purpose in all relationships-with participants, donors, volunteers, employees, and the wider community.

CAP has a $39 million operating budget and 183 staff situated in two regions of Appalachia Cumberland Valley (Central Kentucky) and Sandy Valley (Eastern Kentucky). CAP's headquarters are in Paintsville, Kentucky and fundraising offices are located in Lexington, Kentucky. The President/CEO will be primarily located in one of those two locations but will frequent all CAP locations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership & Strategy:

• Provide visionary leadership, and translate that vision into actionable, measurable plans.
• Direct the organization's overall operations and administrative activities, ensuring the team, programs, and mission are growing effectively. This includes board development, information, and engagement.
• Engage regularly with the Board of Directors to ensure alignment on strategic priorities, policies, and mission.
• Give active leadership and support to a comprehensive fund development effort.
• In collaboration with the Senior VP of Fundraising and Administration, support integration of fund development efforts with organizational programs and community relations activities.
• Cultivate and solicit a portfolio of donors identified by the advancement team.
• Engage board to take an active role in future fundraising efforts.

Community & External Relations :

• Represent CAP as a visible, approachable, and authentic ambassador within Appalachia and beyond.
• Communicate CAP's story with clarity, conviction, and humility to inspire broader engagement and support.
• Collaborate closely with local, regional, and national groups, advocating for the region; contribute to policies and initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of the Appalachian region.

Fiscal Management :

• Oversee the organizational budget and administer programs within budgetary provisions.
• Ensure the financial stability of the organization through sound budgeting, forecasting, and stewardship.

Partnership Building :

• Establish and nurture relationships with local, regional, and national partners, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private sector stakeholders in a direct attempt to increase organizational brand and program awareness in the community.
• Act as a primary spokesperson and representative for CAP, increasing the understanding of, and enhancing the image of the organization within the community.
• Strategically collaborate with existing and new partners to advance impact, sustainability, and public policy.

Policy Oversight & Compliance :

• Partner with external legal and regulatory agencies, when needed.
• Act as adviser to the Board of Directors, providing sufficient information for them to carry out their policy-making responsibilities.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing leadership team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This includes creating a culture that focuses on the leadership development of the internal team.
• Foster a compassionate culture grounded in servant leadership, empathy, and respect.
• Promote an environment that values staff, volunteers, and participants with dignity and care.
• Oversee day-to-day operations and ensure the effectiveness of CAP's programs and services.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree
• Preferable, 10 years' relevant experience in a nonprofit, displaying progressive management experience
• Senior management experience in a nonprofit organization or government agency with a proven track record of effective leadership and organizational development
• Experience working with local, state, and national partners, and a deep understanding of underserved communities and advocacy
• Strong knowledge of policy development, organizational compliance, and the legal framework of nonprofit operations, with successful history working with a volunteer Board of Directors
• Demonstrated success in fundraising solicitation for a nonprofit organization, including major gift development
• Experience in leading and managing multi-site or regionally distributed teams is a plus.
• Understanding of generally accepted accounting principles
• Unwavering commitment to the highest level of ethical and professional standards
• A devoted Christian who lives a Christ-centered life and embraces CAP's interdenominational mission.
• A servant leader who embodies compassion, humility, and integrity.
• Proven ability to build relationships and foster cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong strategic forward-thinking and change management capabilities.
• Sound decision-making and effective problem-solving under pressure.
• Exceptional integrity, leadership presence, and ability to communicate vision and develop strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal and donor-facing communication skills.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Christian Appalachian Project is prepared to offer a highly competitive salary in the range of $250,000 - $300,000. Benefits include medical insurance, life insurance, generous paid time off including paid holidays, shared PTO leave, paid caregiver leave, 401k contribution, and a diverse offering of voluntary benefits.

Christian Appalachian Project is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals who are committed to fostering CAP's mission of "building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ's love through service to Appalachia.

TO APPLY

Ashley|Rountree and Associates has been exclusively retained by Christian Appalachian Project to oversee this search. For your application to be complete, please include a cover letter, a resume and a list of three professional references.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management

• Industries

  Individual and Family Services

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