SparkHope Automotive CEO

CEO OPPORTUNITY PROFILE

DENVER, COLORADO

www.jobfitmatters.com

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GREETINGS

Dear Prospective Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in SparkHope Automotive and seeking to learn more about our leadership transition. We

are a faith-based nonprofit that has uniquely served working single mothers for over 22 years by addressing the

often-overlooked issue of transportation. By providing reliable automobile placement, repair, and maintenance

services, SparkHope removes one of the most significant barriers to employment and stability for single moms. The

organization’s mission is to keep women safely on the road and moving toward long-term self-sufficiency.

The organization’s recent rebrand from “Hands of The Carpenter” to “SparkHope Automotive” reflects the

organization’s evolution from a church-based initiative offering home repair services to a mission-driven nonprofit

focused on automotive solutions.

As SparkHope Automotive unveils its new identity, it is also preparing for a carefully planned leadership transition.

Founder and CEO Dan Georgopulos will step down no later than May 2026. Until then, he remains fully engaged in

supporting the organization and helping to onboard a new CEO.

We encourage you to read through this Opportunity Profile and to explore the website. If your spiritual gifts, talents,

and experience qualify you as a candidate, we invite you to review the Process of Candidacy section and follow the

instructions provided. If you have questions, please contact Laura Coverstone or Ed Poff (615.261.4623), the

JobfitMatters consultants who are leading this search.

Thank you for considering us, and we welcome your exploration of this profile. We are eager to see who God calls to

lead SparkHope as its next CEO.

Sincerely,

P. Craig Gardner

Vice Chair and Search Committee Chair

SparkHope Automotive offers hope to working single moms by

providing automobile services, partnering in their efforts to be

employed and pursue economic self-sufficiency.

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OVERVIEW

For more than two decades, SparkHope Automotive (formerly Hands of The Carpenter) has served working single

mothers by addressing one of their most pressing and often overlooked challenges: reliable transportation. With

three strategically located shops across the Denver metro area, SparkHope provides vehicle placement, repair, and

maintenance programs that enable women to stay employed, support their families, and move toward long-term selfsufficiency.

The organization recently completed a rebrand and is entering a season of both continuity and transition. While the

mission remains unchanged, SparkHope is building on its strong foundation to expand its reach, strengthen its financial

sustainability, and enhance operational capacity. Founder and CEO Dan Georgopulos will be leaving the organization

by May 2026, creating an opportunity for a new leader to guide SparkHope into its next chapter.

SparkHope’s impact is both practical and profound. In 2024, nearly 700 women received support through its programs,

and participants in its three-year SHIFT program experienced an average 19% income increase in their first year and

a 36% increase by year two. With an annual budget of over $2 million, a dedicated staff, a committed board, and a

strong network of church, nonprofit, and business partners, SparkHope has become a trusted presence in the Denver

metro community.

The role of CEO requires a rare combination of qualities: authentic Christian faith, compassion for single moms, strong

financial and operational acumen, proven ability to build donor and community relationships, and inspirational

leadership that unifies teams and advances the mission. For the right leader, this is a chance to step into a thriving

ministry with a clear mission, a strong foundation, and a future filled with opportunity to change lives.

The organization has adopted a five-year strategic plan that sets ambitious yet achievable goals: increasing the

number of women served by more than 70%, raising shop utilization from 43% to 73% by 2030, expanding the budget

to $3.8 million, and adding staff to meet future demand. This next leader will be tasked with stewarding these goals

while ensuring SparkHope maintains the culture of dignity, faith, and compassion that has always defined its work.

We invite you to learn more by exploring the rest of this Opportunity Profile, as well as the Process of Candidacy on

the last page.

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ABOUT SPARKHOPE

MISSION

SparkHope offers hope to working

single moms by providing automobile

services, partnering in their efforts to

be employed and pursue economic

self-sufficiency.

VALUES

• Service with passion and humility

• Purposeful stewardship of resources

(time, finances, in-kind gifts, &

partnerships)

• Integrity, honesty and respect for all

STATEMENT OF FAITH

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…”

— James 1:27

At SparkHope Automotive, our work is deeply rooted in the belief that every person is created in the image of God and

is worthy of dignity, compassion, and hope. While we operate as a public nonprofit and do not identify as an overtly

faith-based organization, our mission and daily work are guided by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

WE BELIEVE:

• In the love of God expressed through Jesus Christ, who calls us to serve the vulnerable, uplift the weary, and be a

light in places of need and challenge.

• In the power of hope, recognizing that practical help—such as reliable transportation—can be a gateway to

restoration, stability, and renewed confidence for single working mothers.

• In servant leadership, modeling our efforts after Christ’s example of humility, generosity, and justice.

• That transformation happens when tangible needs are met with compassion, and when individuals are seen, heard,

and empowered.

• That our hands-on work is an expression of God’s grace in action—quiet, faithful, and consistent—without

expectation or obligation in return.

We do not require faith from those we serve, nor do we use our services as a platform for proselytizing. Instead, we aim to let

our faith speak through the integrity of our work, the kindness of our team, and the hope we help spark in the lives of those we

serve.

In all things, we seek to walk humbly, love deeply, and serve faithfully.

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HISTORY

In April 2003, CEO and founder Dan Georgopulos, his wife Brenda, and other key leaders launched Hands of The

Carpenter (Hands). Inspired by the stories of women facing challenges such as abuse, potential homelessness, or the

loss of a spouse—circumstances that often lead to financial vulnerability—Dan founded Hands to offer meaningful

assistance. The women they served shared fears about job loss if they couldn’t transport their children to school or

themselves to work. Recognizing this, Hands narrowed the mission’s focus to providing reliable automotive services,

giving women safe and timely support to help them achieve self-sufficiency and independence.

In August 2025, Hands of The Carpenter rebranded to SparkHope Automotive. At the beginning of 2025, the

organization developed a five-year strategic plan that began with a survey designed to gather feedback on branding

and external positioning. After receiving hundreds of replies, the response was clear: the name didn’t clearly reflect

the services provided. The new name speaks to what SparkHope has become, a faith-based organization dedicated to

fueling stability, trust, and long-term opportunities for working single mothers.

For more than two decades, SparkHope Automotive has continually adapted to meet the evolving needs of the women

they serve. Owning a vehicle can sometimes be financially overwhelming, but with the right support, it can unlock new

opportunities. SparkHope has built partnerships with organizations and automotive businesses to increase its capacity

to serve. Through diverse fundraising methods—including traditional avenues, impact investments, and car donations—

SparkHope has fostered a “Community of Champions.” This network of businesses, churches, nonprofits, individuals,

civic groups, and foundations collaborates to offer both practical assistance and hope.

Through the generous support of donors, volunteers, and local partners, SparkHope has expanded services to include

3 shop locations (Golden, Aurora, Federal Heights) strategically located across the Denver metro area serving over

700 clients per year.

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PROGRAMS

SHIFT

CRUISE CONTROL

SHIFT is the core of SparkHope’s services,

providing long-term vehicle support to help

working single moms maintain stability and selfsufficiency.

It supports women with maintenance,

repairs, and vehicle placement at reduced cost.

Clients complete an online application with

required documentation and a client agreement

to receive three years of support at 50% of retail

costs for qualified services.

Key Features:

• Complimentary vehicle welcome evaluation

with full diagnostics and recommendations

• Repair & routine maintenance offered at 50%

of retail value for 3 years

• Placement/purchase program available at

50% of retail value of the “new to you” vehicle

• Access to short-term loaner vehicles while

the client’s car is in SparkHope’s care

CRUISE CONTROL supports women who have

successfully graduated from the SHIFT program

and are continuing their path of independence.

These self-sufficient alumni remain connected to

SparkHope, now paying full cost for services as a

way to give back and sustain the program for

others.

Key Features:

• SHIFT alumni would be eligible to re-engage

with SparkHope after re-qualifying for Cruise

Control

• Clients pay 100% of maintenance, repairs, or

placement/purchase costs

• Designed for self-sufficient, motivated

alumni who choose to maintain connection

with SparkHope

PROGRAM INCOME

SparkHope Automotive sustains its mission through a

balanced blend of revenue streams that fuel both impact

and growth. Nearly 60% of the support comes from

philanthropy (donations, grants, and sponsorships) that

drive community investment. Earned income from the

vehicle donation program (25%) creates a sustainable

foundation while keeping cars in circulation for families.

Program income (16%) through the fee-for-service SHIFT

and CRUISE CONTROL models ensures clients have

ownership in their journey while helping extend

SparkHope’s reach to more single moms. Together, these

income streams form a diversified engine for long-term

stability and impact.

Program Income

16%

Earned Income

25% Philanthropy

59%

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AT-A-GLANCE

2024 Services Provided:

44 Vehicle Placements

1,374 Vehicle Repairs

1,402 Vehicle Maintenance

2,820 Total Services

695 working single moms served

last year (average of 3 times each)

22 years of ministry

171 women in 3-year SHIFT program

(for maintenance & repair)

19% Amount clients’ income increases year one

after receiving a vehicle and by year two client

income increases to 36%

10% Amount clients’ income increases year one

when receiving repair services, and by year two

client income increases to 21%

2025 Data:

Breakdown of Annual Income FY 2024

12 Employees (11 full time, 1 part time)

Annual Budget: $2.3M

Assets: $4.7M

Debt: $3.5M (3 repair facilities)

Public contributions (cash)

Gift In Kind

Program Service Fees

Special Events (net)

Vehicle Donation Sales

Other

Government funding

Total Support/Revenue

$1,626,000

(including capital raised for

Federal Heights location)

$199,000

$374,000

$213,000

$450,000

$80,000

$3,000

$2,945,000

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THE POSITION

The CEO of SparkHope is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission, setting strategic direction in

partnership with the board, and ensuring financial health and programmatic impact. The role includes overseeing the

staff and volunteers, cultivating donor and community relationships, and representing SparkHope with external

stakeholders. The CEO must balance vision and daily operations—guiding program development, fiscal management,

fundraising, and communications—while fostering a culture aligned with SparkHope’s values. Ultimately, the CEO

ensures that SparkHope delivers on its purpose and achieves measurable outcomes that serve its community.

Currently, the CEO leads a team of 12 staff plus volunteers. The leadership team currently reporting to the CEO

includes the Bookkeeper, Senior Service Manager, Senior Technician, Development Director, and Client Program

Manager.

CURRENT ORGANIZATIONAL CHART:

Board of Trustees

CEO

Bookkeeper

Senior Service

Manager

Senior

Technician

Development

Director

Client Program

Manager

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THE POSITION

CHARACTERISTICS

As SparkHope enters a new chapter, the board and stakeholders identified five essential qualities that will define the

next season of leadership. The organization seeks a leader who embodies both relational ministry and operational

expertise—someone able to honor SparkHope’s legacy while guiding the organization with clarity, vision, and strength.

Authentic Christian Faith and Character:

The next CEO must be a committed follower of Jesus whose life demonstrates spiritual depth,

discernment, and integrity. This individual will lead with humility, compassion, and courage,

modeling a Christ-centered approach that inspires confidence across staff, board, and community

partners.

Relational Connector and Community Builder:

The mission of SparkHope is rooted in serving people, and the next CEO must excel at building

trust and cultivating relationships. With high emotional intelligence and a genuine love for

people, this leader will connect with working single mothers, mechanics, staff, donors, church

partners, and nonprofit collaborators alike, fostering unity and longevity within the organization,

and deepening SparkHope’s presence in the Denver community and beyond.

Financial Acumen and Operational Discipline:

SparkHope requires a leader who can bring stability and structure to a growing and complex

organization. The next CEO will be an excellent planner, skilled at analyzing budgets and financial

reports, setting policies, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Strong operational leadership will be

essential to steward resources wisely, maximize shop capacity, and position SparkHope for longterm

success.

Fundraising and Donor Engagement:

Donor relationships have been vital to SparkHope’s success, and the next CEO will continue to

nurture these connections. The right leader will be a compelling storyteller, able to cast vision

and inspire generosity, while also empowering and supporting the development team. Their

ability to build relationships, trust, and expand SparkHope’s donor base will be a key driver of

future impact.

Inspirational Leadership through Change:

SparkHope stands at a key moment of transition. The next CEO will lead with steadiness and

courage, continuing to unify a growing, passionate team across multiple sites and reinforcing a

healthy culture. Balancing empathy with accountability, this leader will build new trust and

relationships, enable new ideas while honoring SparkHope’s heritage, and chart an ever-greater

path forward.

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QUALIFICATIONS

WHAT SPARKHOPE REQUIRES:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

• Three years’ experience with Executive Staff leadership in a nonprofit organization.

• Exceptional managerial skills: planning, organizing, implementing, and supervising.

• Thorough understanding of financial (especially nonprofit) and managerial accounting,

database administration, and data processing.

• Understanding of development and development strategies, leading and collaborating

with a Director of Development and a development team.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills including presentation abilities.

• Previous experience working with a board of directors, developing policies, goals, and

objectives.

• A clear biblical testimony of a personal experience of receiving by faith the Lord Jesus

Christ as Savior. Maintains an exemplary Christian life.

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EXPECTATIONS

The next CEO will be key to stewarding and charting a course for SparkHope’s future. The current board and leadership

team have been actively engaged in the strategic planning process for SparkHope’s future. With the recent addition

of two new facilities to serve their clients, the Strategic Plan focuses on developing the people and systems to maximize

programmatic efficiency and impact. Below are the highlights of the Strategic Plan. The full Strategic Plan will be

made available to applicants as it is finalized.

Program Growth & Impact

• Balance growth with sustainability by pacing expansion, focusing first on digesting current operations before

pursuing additional locations.

• Increase the number of individuals served by 71% within five years.

• Raise shop capacity utilization from 43% in 2025 to 73% in 2030.

• Strengthen the vehicle donation program by focusing on total dollar value of donations rather than volume

of cars.

Financial Strength

• Expand the annual operating budget from $2.3 million to $3.8 million by 2030.

• Sustain 10% annual growth in the vehicle donation program.

• Grow and diversify revenue streams, while continuing to support development staff in donor relationships and

major gift cultivation.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Build organizational infrastructure and systems that move SparkHope from a “startup feel” to a stable, scalable

nonprofit.

• Maintain continuity by retaining and motivating key staff, with a particular focus on stability in operations and

development.

• Develop and empower the leadership team, ensuring clear delegation, coaching, and accountability across three

locations.

• Add full-time employees to sustain and grow operations and impact.

• Expand the apprenticeship program for automotive technicians and service advisors.

Community Engagement

• Launch and steward a Nonprofit Partner Pilot Program that serves others outside the target clientele, while

ensuring at least 75% of clients remain single working moms.

• Host quarterly educational workshops for clients on budgeting, homeownership, mental health, car care,

insurance, and credit.

• Form a Faith in Action Committee with monthly meetings and church partners.

• Equip and mobilize Speakers & Ambassadors to represent SparkHope in churches, service clubs, nonprofits,

and media.

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DENVER, COLORADO

Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Denver offers a unique balance of natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and

everyday livability. Known as the “Mile High City,” Denver is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the

United States, drawing residents with its 300 days of sunshine each year, thriving economy, and access to world-class

outdoor recreation. Whether it’s hiking in the nearby foothills, skiing in the Rockies, or biking along the city’s extensive

trail system, opportunities to enjoy the outdoors are a defining feature of life in Denver.

The city itself is equally appealing, with a lively arts scene, diverse restaurants, professional sports teams, and familyfriendly

neighborhoods. Denver’s educational landscape includes a variety of strong public, charter, and private

school options, as well as proximity to respected colleges and universities. Families find that the city offers the

amenities of a major metropolitan area while still maintaining a strong sense of community and a slower pace than

many urban centers.

Denver also has a rich and growing faith community. Churches across a wide range of denominations and traditions

are active in ministry, outreach, and collaboration, providing newcomers with multiple opportunities to connect and

serve. Many Christian organizations and nonprofits are headquartered in the region, creating a network of likeminded

leaders who view their work as an extension of their calling.

With its combination of natural beauty, cultural richness, family-friendly amenities, and a robust community of faith,

Denver offers an inviting setting for those seeking both professional opportunity and personal flourishing.

NOTABLE RANKINGS:

• 13th in Best Places to Live in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report

• 10th among U.S. cities for its park system, according to Parkscore

• 5th top city in the U.S. for Fitness and Health, according to the American College of Sports Medicine

• Denver International Airport holds the #1 spot for most nonstop domestic destinations

• The RiverNorth Art District was ranked #9 in the country by USA Today

LOCATIONS IN DENVER:

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PROCESS OF CANDIDACY

If you sense that the gifts and experience God has given you may be a good fit for the position of CEO of SparkHope

Automotive, we invite you to begin the inquiry process. Inquiries and expressions of interest regarding this search may

be forwarded to Laura Coverstone at JobfitMatters Executive Search (615.261.4623) and will remain confidential.

Please submit the following for review:

1. A current resume.

2. Responses to the following essay prompts:

• Describe your testimony of faith in Jesus Christ. How is God using you in your work, in your church, and in your

community? How has your faith shaped your career and influenced your decision to apply for this position?

• What about this position attracts you? How has your previous experience prepared you for this role?

3. Provide the name and contact information (phone number and email address) for four references who know you and

your career well enough to comment on your suitability for this position. (Note: References will only be contacted

after we have received your permission to do so later in the candidacy process.)

Note: Please do not be overly concerned with brevity in this package of materials. While we are not seeking large volumes

of content, we request that you provide sufficient relevant information that best reflects your fit for this role and the

strengths you bring to candidacy.

Submit this information in one document or PDF to:

Laura Coverstone

Managing Partner

JobfitMatters Executive Search

resumes@jobfitmatters.com

Phone: 615.261.4623

Please include “SparkHope Automotive CEO” in the subject line of your email.

SEARCH TIMELINE

All candidate information will be reviewed upon arrival. The candidate review process will continue until the President/

CEO has been selected.