Director of Development

Our mission and values shape our culture as we intentionally strengthen communities with purpose every day.

Job Description

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Director of Development at the YMCA serves as a key member of the leadership team, providing strategic and operational oversight in financial development to advance the YMCA’s mission through annual giving, grants, events, capital campaigns, and endowment gifts. This role is pivotal in engaging volunteers, donors, and community leaders to secure philanthropic support that sustains and expands the Y’s impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Five or more years of professional fundraising experience with a proven track record of success, including donor relations, annual giving, major gifts, grant writing, and special events. Experience with capital campaigns and endowments is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to self-motivate and work independently.
• Working knowledge of charitable giving vehicles and the ability to create materials that effectively communicate the YMCA’s mission to potential donors.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and GiveSmart (or similar donor/constituent management databases).
• Knowledge of media relations and its use in promoting YMCA events and programs.
• Ability to engage with top community leaders and diverse groups across all social and economic segments.
• Understanding of and enthusiasm for the YMCA’s mission and values.
  
  

Essential Functions

• Fundraising Leadership: In partnership with CEO, leads and executes the YMCA’s fundraising strategy, encompassing the annual campaign, major gifts, donor cultivation, and stewardship efforts. Develops and manages both short-term and long-term fundraising plans that align with the YMCA’s mission and goals. Establishes systems and manages resources, including the financial development budget, to effectively implement these plans. Creates and maintains fundraising policies and procedures that support the YMCA's development efforts. Assists with planning and executing future capital campaigns, including support of a feasibility study to assess potential campaign success and guide strategic decision-making.
• Major Gifts & Donor Cultivation: In collaboration with CEO and key staff, designs and executes strategies for major gift solicitation and stewardship. Engage and cultivate relationships with high-capacity donors, ensuring their ongoing support. Provide support with scheduling prospect meetings, solicitation materials and correspondence for Leadership.
• Annual Campaign Management: Oversees the development and execution of the annual campaign, ensuring that strategic activities are in place to achieve the campaign goal. Implements direct mail, social media, and other campaign appeals in coordination with marketing staff.
• Grant Writing & Management: Identifies and pursues new sources of grant funding. Prepares grant applications and maintains relationships with grantors. Manages the grant reporting process to ensure compliance and continued support.
• Special Events: Plans and implements fundraising special events that align with the YMCA’s mission and financial goals. Coordinates Event Committee volunteers and evaluates the return on investment for events.
• Sponsorship Program: Develops and manages the YMCA’s sponsorship program, identifying and cultivating donors to participate in year-round sponsorship opportunities. This includes securing support for the annual campaign, as well as for special events. Creates tailored sponsorship packages that align with donor interests and YMCA needs, ensuring strong relationships and consistent engagement with sponsors.
• Board & Volunteer Engagement: Collaborates with the CEO and Board Members to prepare and present reports on financial development activities. Serves as the staff liaison to the Development Committee and other relevant committees, fostering active volunteer participation in fundraising efforts and ensuring alignment with the YMCA’s strategic goals.
• Communications & Marketing: Develops content for annual reports, campaign materials, and digital and social media to ensure consistent philanthropic messaging to donors, members, and the community.
• Budgeting & Reporting: Creates and manages the annual development budget. Tracks and reports all fundraising activities, including donor engagement and gift processing, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
• Gift Tracking and Stewardship: Tracks all gifts and pledges by source and purpose and provides reports as needed. Develops and executes a donor recognition and stewardship plan, ensuring timely and meaningful acknowledgments for all gifts. Plans and coordinates stewardship activities, including the annual Chairman’s Roundtable Dinner.
• Leadership & Supervision: Acts as a representative of the CEO in the community as needed, fostering strong, positive relationships with volunteers, donors, and staff. Consistently delivers exceptional service, exceeding expectations and building a supportive and collaborative environment.