Member and Donor Engagement Director

The Member and Donor Engagement Director position at our YMCA offers an exceptional opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and rapidly expanding region. As our community experiences unprecedented growth, the Buckeye Valley Family YMCA is poised to increase its membership base and expand its programs, creating fertile ground for innovative philanthropic strategies. This role provides the unique chance to shape and lead the evolution of our organization’s donor engagement framework, establishing a legacy of meaningful community impact. By leveraging the YMCA’s strong mission and deep community ties, the Director will be at the forefront of fostering a culture of generosity and engagement that will fuel the organization’s growth and sustainability for years to come.

This position is ideal for a motivated leader seeking to grow within an organization where they can make a tangible and lasting difference. The Member and Donor Engagement Director will work closely with senior leadership to develop and execute strategies that not only increase philanthropic giving but also create a sense of ownership and pride among members, donors, and volunteers. With the opportunity to shape the YMCA’s philanthropic culture, the successful candidate will position themselves as a key driver of organizational growth and be well-poised to take on greater leadership roles as the YMCA continues its trajectory of expansion and community impact.

The Buckeye Valley Family YMCA is a quickly growing YMCA Association serving Licking and Muskingum Counties. Our 3 membership locations serve more than 25,000 members, and our 12 licensed childcare sites and dozens of community program locations ensure our YMCA’s impact is felt in every corner of the regions in which we serve. Our YMCA Association is seen as a key community partner for local schools, hospitals, and government, evidenced by the many existing and newly forming partnerships.

Central Ohio is a thriving region experiencing rapid economic growth and development, making it an exceptional location for professionals seeking opportunity and quality of life. Anchored by Columbus, the region’s expansion is fueled by a strong and diverse economy, driven by industries such as technology, healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing. Licking and Muskingum Counties are integral to this growth, offering a unique blend of small-town charm and proximity to metropolitan resources. Licking County has become a hub for innovation and economic investment, exemplified by large-scale developments such as Intel’s semiconductor manufacturing facility. Muskingum County, home to a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant local community, offers growing business opportunities and a welcoming environment for professionals and families. Learn more here: Licking County Muskingum County

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Four (4) years’ experience in fundraising, sales, member/customer engagement, or donor relations
• Proven track record of successful fundraising or sales campaigns, client/donor engagement, and client/donor retention

Annual Campaign Growth

• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to grow the YMCA’s annual campaign revenue, ensuring alignment with the organization's strategic goals.

• Partner with YMCA leadership, staff, and volunteers to set realistic and ambitious campaign goals and develop actionable plans to achieve them.

• Identify and cultivate relationships with major donors, corporate sponsors, and other community partners to secure contributions.

Membership Engagement in Philanthropy and Volunteering

• Create and implement programs that encourage YMCA members to engage in philanthropic giving and volunteer opportunities.

• Partner with Membership and Program teams to integrate donor and volunteer engagement strategies into the overall member experience.

• Provide tools, training, and support to staff and volunteers to ensure consistent messaging and effective solicitation techniques.

Donor Retention and Stewardship

• Establish and maintain systems to track donor relationships, preferences, and giving history to personalize stewardship efforts.

• Plan and execute donor recognition events, communications, and other stewardship activities to ensure donors feel valued and appreciated.

Analyze donor data and provide regular reports on retention rates, donor acquisition trends, and other key metrics.

Leadership and Collaboration

Inspire a team of staff and volunteers to achieve fundraising and engagement goals.

Collaborate with YMCA staff across departments to ensure consistent messaging and integration of engagement efforts.

Serve as a visible and active ambassador for the YMCA in the community, attending events and building relationships to enhance the organization’s profile.

Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fundraising.

Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when

negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance and support.

Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.

Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Four (4) years’ experience in fundraising, sales, member/customer engagement, or donor relations
• Proven track record of successful fundraising or sales campaigns, client/donor engagement, and client/donor retention