Steve Christensen

930 Sandlewood Ct., Lake Zurich IL 60047

847.702.1630 (cell)

sclz@me.com

Career Objective

To provide leadership and expertise to an organization that is making a significant positive impact in their community and beyond.

Career History

2016-Present

Director of Individual Giving, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Geneva IL

Northern Illinois Food Bank is the fifth largest in the nation, supporting 800 food pantries and feeding sites across a 13-county service area, with locations in Geneva, Park City, Rockford and Joliet. I lead the Individual Giving team, raising $5.6M of a $12M donated revenue budget. Responsible for direct mail, phone campaigns, planned giving, and individual donor portfolios.

2012-2016   

Donor Development, Global Ministry Advancement Team

Awana International, Streamwood IL

($44M operating budget, ministry to 3.5M kids in 117 countries)

Awana is a worldwide ministry specializing in leadership training that results in effective child evangelism and discipleship. I had the opportunity to revamp our direct response fundraising, work with individual mid- and major level donors, and engage local church leadership in supporting both our ministry and our missionaries. I led the effort along with senior leaders to retool our methods and goals for engaging donor churches. 

2007-2012          

Director of Communication

1996-2007          

Director of Programming & Music

Alpine Chapel, Lake Zurich IL

Alpine Chapel is a non-denominational community church in the far northwest suburbs of Chicago. This community, and church, grew rapidly from 250 to 1000 during the economic boom of the late 90s, but suffered during the economic downturn of the early 2000s. I was privileged to work under two excellent senior pastors, two interim pastors, and three executive pastors, and was an integral part of a $2 million capital and building campaign. Relying heavily on volunteers, I recruited, trained and led teams of artists, technicians and workers to produce consistently excellent weekend services. I oversaw or created all outgoing and internal communication including the website, newsletters, appeals and pastoral communication.

1981-1996          

Owner/operator, Dansk Decorating, Lake Zurich IL  

Custom home and commercial property services in the North and Northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Education

B.A., Columbia College Chicago (Advertising)

Trinity International University, Deerfield IL (General studies)

Experience

-Fundraising from individual donors and churches

-Direct response fundraising strategy, production and execution

-Directing and facilitating all aspects of internal and external communication

-Representing brands in the community (public events and local associations)

-Development and production of promotional, public relations, and advertising materials

-Budget projection and management

-Building and management of teams of employees and volunteers for multiple departments

-Selection and training of team leaders

-Writing and editing materials for public and internal distribution

-Supervision of design & production of printed and electronic materials

-Conception and production of live events (services, concerts, conferences, fundraisers)

-Public speaking; hosting (emcee) of live events

Other Experience

2012-present

Conference Information Team Lead, Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit

Recruit, train and lead a team of 40+ volunteers to serve 10,000 campus guests at annual 2-day conference.

Skills

Leadership, writing, public speaking, event production, graphic arts, video and multimedia production, performing arts, advanced computer skills, building trades

Salary Requirement

Negotiable. Willing to relocate.

References

www.sjchristensen.net/references-recommendations/