Graduating in May and hoping to land my first role with a Christian nonprofit in the Midwest. I’m hake and LinkedIn, but I’d love pointers to active faith-based groups, alumni networks, or church contacts that lead to conversations. I’m in Columbus, open to comms or campus ministry, and really want to find a good fit by setting up a few informational chats this month.
Since you’re in Columbus, I’d DM InterVarsity or Cru staff at OSU on LinkedIn and ask for a 15‑minute chat; doing that got me two warm intros in a week and my first nonprofit interview. For a starting point, the IV alumni page helps: Alumni | InterVarsity. If you don’t hear back, email a college or missions pastor at a larger church for an intro.
Cold LinkedIn got me crickets, , until I showed up at a church ‘faith & work’ night in Columbus and asked, ‘Who else should I grab 15 minutes with this month?’ CCDA’s network is also solid — join a local call and DM three folks right after: https://www.ccda.org. If that stalls, a quick ping to a Young Life area director has gotten me warm intros into comms and campus ministry teams.
I’ve had better luck skipping LinkedIn and using ECFA’s member search to map Columbus ministries, then emailing the comms or campus lead with a 3‑line note: ‘I’m a May grad in Columbus — could we do a quick 10–15 minute call about your path?’; this got me a few conversations in a week: ECFA. If that feels too direct, volunteer at one event first and then ask — like checking the map before you start the hike.
What moved the needle for me was emailing the National Christian Foundation — Columbus (https://www.ncfgiving.com/columbus/) and asking, “I’m a May grad exploring nonprofit roles in Columbus; is there a ministry leader you’d recommend I meet?” Their team connected me with two directors because they know who’s growing, though they’re donor-facing so be specific about your lane. If that’s quiet, a one-off volunteer night with Young Life led to a coffee with the area director the next week.
Quick win in Columbus: I emailed the outreach/comms pastors at Vineyard Columbus and Grace Polaris with a 3‑line note — ‘May grad, open to comms or campus ministry, looking for two quick informational chats this month’ — and they each introduced me to a local nonprofit lead. That beat Handshake/LinkedIn for me because pastors see who’s moving and hiring. If that stalls, ping the OSU area directors for InterVarsity or Cru for warm intros to campus teams.
Last spring I asked OSU Cru and St. Paul’s Outreach staff for two warm intros to regional directors and got three info chats in a week — way faster than cold DMs. I kept it simple: ‘Would you be open to introducing me to one person you trust who’s building a communications or student ministry team?’ If those doors feel shut, CCDA’s job board (CCDA Job Board » Christian Community Development Association) helps you map targets before you request intros.