Meet Grand Rapids Christian Schools
Grand Rapids Christian Schools provides high-quality, faith-based education to preschool through 12th grade students. With five campuses located throughout Grand Rapids and Rockford, Grand Rapids Christian Schools educates nearly 2,300 students annually and nurtures the lives of a spiritually, culturally, and economically diverse student body. Grand Rapids Christian Schools strive for the highest standards and excellence for education based on a solid foundation of faith, a rich tradition of excellence, and a long legacy of success.
Looking for a high-caliber candidate
The team needed a chief advancement officer (CAO), a newly formed role, to fulfill the great responsibility of leading the staff in planning and implementing development, admissions, and communications efforts. The new CAO would be a key leader, completing the school’s three-person executive leadership team.
This person was needed to manage relationships with donors and charitable institutions to further build their philanthropic support that allowed Grand Rapids Christian Schools to function year-to-year. They were praying for a high-caliber candidate who could develop a strategic, comprehensive plan to move the school’s giving into its next season.
Building the ideal candidate profile
Our team partnered with the development staff, administrative council, and even high school students at Grand Rapids Christian Schools to understand exactly what an ideal candidate would look like. This person would need to be a personal follower of Jesus Christ, have a high workload capacity for overseeing multiple projects, as well as possess the relational and professional stamina to thrive each day. Relevant experience would set candidates apart as qualified and trustworthy for the job.
The administration at Grand Rapids Christian Schools wanted to find someone who would fit in well with the existing staff culture. The team prided themselves on being unashamedly Christian, considerate of all people’s ideas, and eager to try new things. The ideal candidate would only reinforce this culture and spur the team on in humility.
After searching through applications with these specific strengths in mind, dozens of interested and qualified candidates were considered, but ultimately one stood out clearly as the best match.
Erik found his calling
Erik Braun and his family felt a strong calling to live missionally. At the same time, he and his wife considered the impact having openly Christian teachers could have on kids like their own two sons. The more Erik learned about the purpose and culture at Grand Rapids Christian Schools, the more he was drawn to join the team.
Erik and his wife Claire both grew up in Michigan. Working in Grand Rapids would allow the Brauns to live closer to family. The couple could also raise their boys in the same city that Claire grew up in.
By the time he accepted the offer, Erik had grown confident in the district’s curriculum, purpose, and his own motivation to join in their cause. He now serves faithfully as chief advancement officer, helping to strengthen Grand Rapids Christian Schools to fulfill their faith-based mission.
