This position supports the work of the YMCA of the Chesapeake, a leading regional nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Reporting to and working in close collaboration with the Vice President of Finance and Development, the Director of Development will design and execute a comprehensive development strategy for the YMCA of the Chesapeake. The Director of Development will oversee and execute strategy on both the annual giving campaign as well as assist with major gift strategies and solicitations.
This position is directly responsible for creating and implementing strategies for annual campaign growth, including cultivating and maintaining relationships with new and existing donors, members and volunteers; increasing major gift donors to the annual campaign; and working directly with branch leadership on annual campaign plans and implementation. The Director of Development works directly with the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President of Finance and Development, Board of Directors, Branch Executives and Boards to ensure fundraising success. The Director of Development also assists the Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President of Finance and Development with major gift initiatives.
- Works with the senior leadership team to identify funding opportunities, preferred funding targets, and approaches to solicit needed support.
- Develops and maintains key long-term relationships with donors and prospects to build a robust donor base.
- Responsible for the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of all activities related to the growth of annual giving.
- Develops and manages annual giving strategy to meet or exceed strategic plan goals.
- Recruits, oversees, motivates and provides recognition to all branch executives, volunteers and their activities as they relate to annual giving, and maintain timely communication with those staff and volunteers.
- Ability to complete or delegate development office functions including gift processing, prospect and donor histories, and fundraising reporting.
- Works with branch executives to develop and promote campaign case to campaigners, donors, YMCA Board, staff members and community.
- Collaborates with the Vice President of Finance and Development to develop and implement detailed development/communication strategies aligned with Association objectives for overall donor growth.
- Consults and reports on branch annual campaign development plans, implementation, and progress.
- Conducts personal annual donor visits and accompany others on donor cultivation visits as needed.
- Personally cultivates and solicits leadership gifts for annual campaign, including research, identification of potential donors, and developing and maintaining relationships.
- Works collaboratively with Vice President of Finance and Development to identify and cultivate major donors from the annual donor pool.
- Works collaboratively with the Vice President of Finance and Development to research, apply, and supply required reports for grant funding opportunities.
- Maintains and cultivates relationships with community leaders and YMCA board members.
- Develops and implements donor stewardship program including Chairman’s Roundtable Dinner and Annual Dinner.
- Navigates and utilizes donor database to ensure appropriate acknowledgment and recognition strategy of all charitable gifts.
- Analyzes trends in the annual giving campaign, identifying opportunities and challenges. Develops strategies to ensure goals are met.
- Oversees implementation of all development media communications plans along with marketing department ensuring effective integration of fundraising campaigns.
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years fundraising experience in a professional position preferred.
- CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification is preferred.
- Proven success in development for a large nonprofit. Experience running capital campaigns and success fundraising from multiple donor channels preferred.
- Experience in planning, leading, and managing development projects, including coordinating with peers to achieve desired outcomes, and tracking and reporting on progress to senior leadership.
- Takes initiative and actively seeks to deepen current donor relationships and to forge new ones.
- Skilled in creating powerful, compelling written and oral communications for fundraising. Ability to convey complex ideas through brief, simple materials.
- Influents others to accept ideas by using convincing arguments, creates a win-win situation and responds appropriately to key stakeholders.
- Effective at working with others to reach common goals and objectives.
- Skilled at establishing and cultivating strong relationships with peers across different levels of the organization and externally.
Salary: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00