The Executive Director of Advancement has the responsibility for the implementation of all the South Sound YMCA’s Financial Development and Communication & Marketing programs. This includes but is not limited to Annual Campaign, Capital Campaign, Grant Management, Planned Giving, Endowment, Year End Donations, Marketing, Communications, Brand Alignment and Special Events. This key position ensures that all philanthropic and marketing goals are met or exceeded each year through a multi-faceted and YMCA best practices approach. This includes a commitment to advancing a culture of philanthropy throughout the Association, with all staff, volunteers, members and program participants.
The Executive Director of Advancement is part of the executive leadership team and plays a major role in setting the resource development and MarCom direction of the Association, under the supervision and direction of the President/CEO. The person in this position also collaborates with the Board of Trustees and the rest of the management leadership team, to provide opportunities for the entire Association to become involved with and engaged in the advancement of our mission.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Financial Development & Philanthropy
Stewardship & Cultivation
- Cultivates and stewards both existing and prospective donors year-round through intentional relationship building strategies. Utilizes Moves Management techniques in building relationships with donors and creating long-term relationships. Records visits and interactions of all staff with current and prospective donors.
- Maps out annual communication (touch) calendar and ensures appropriate communication with each target area.
- Develops donor research and analysis and proactively provides strategies and action plans to the CEO and leadership team with a goal to increase and expand the donor base.
- Creates and directs appropriate recognition systems for donors and volunteers, including directing the tax receipt letter process.
- Develops an accountability system to celebrate success throughout all fundraising campaigns, at the Association Office, branches, program locations and with all levels of volunteers.
Annual Campaign & Planned Giving
- Uses YMCA best practices in fundraising to plan, develop, implement and track the Annual Campaign.
- Responsible for all aspects of the campaign, including organization, collateral, processes and forms.
- Supports and motivates fundraising volunteers, including engaging in the all divisions of the Annual Campaign personal solicitation required to increase both the number of campaigners and donors.
- Works with the President/CEO to develop and implement a YMCA Planned Giving Program.
Grant Management
- Responsible for the timely preparation and presentation of grant applications and post grant reporting.
- Responsible for the tracking of all grant requests for the Association.
- Coordinates research to identify and analyze appropriate funding sources including governmental, foundations, corporate and private funders.
Capital Campaign
- Develops the case and establishes timelines for capital campaigns.
- Works with leadership team and fundraising contractors to develop and implement capital campaign plans including: identifying, recruiting, training and managing campaign leadership and volunteers; identifying capital campaign prospects, preparing support materials, cultivating and tracking relationships and personally securing donations.
- Works with the CEO to establish and support a Capital Campaign Committee and reports regularly to the CEO and Board of Trustees on the status of the capital campaign.
Sponsorships & Special Events
- Works with senior leadership team to develop sponsorship materials and solicitation opportunities for various Y programs.
- Coordinates and implements special events for the Association.
Marketing & Communications
- Uses YMCA best practices to develop and implement a marketing and communication strategy that meetings Association needs and advances our mission in the community.
- Responsible for developing and meeting marketing and communication targets and goals.
- Collaborates with Communications Specialist to develop and disseminate fundraising collateral such as solicitation pieces, cases for support, invitations, multi-media and other materials for website, email marketing, online video and social media sites, crowdfunding, etc.
Staff & Volunteer Leadership
- Recruits, leads and trains communication and advancement support staff
- Leads and trains Association-wide staff in the areas of identifying, recruiting, training and managing campaign leadership and volunteers; identifying campaign prospects, preparing support materials, cultivating relationships and securing donations.
- Provides staff leadership to Fund Development and Marketing Communications volunteer committees.
- Develops and implements programs to effectively utilize volunteers in development, stewardship and cultivation activities.
- Ensures timely follow up, reporting and communication with campaign volunteers.
Finance
- Develops, implements and monitors department budget.
- Directs the accounting related aspects of fundraising including: documentation of contributions, billings to contributors, and monitoring of collections.
- Supervises and insures gift accounting and reporting functions, maintains integrity of donor procedure and ensures that all donors receive appropriate and timely acknowledgements of their gifts.
- An extraordinary level of organization and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently in a complex environment, managing conflicting priorities, with internal and external diplomacy, while maintaining integrity and confidentiality.
- Access to transportation and the ability to travel locally and regionally on a consistent basis.
The Executive Director of Advancement serves as the member of the President & CEO’s executive leadership team, providing deliberate leadership to take the Y’s outstanding brand and philanthropic foundation to a new level with innovative fresh ideas on how best to engage the community, volunteers and contributors, tell the Y story, and secure more funds that advance our inspiring mission!
This position leads the South Sound YMCA’s philanthropic funding efforts including the primary responsibility for establishing and implementing the infrastructure needed to match our bold plans in youth development, healthy living and community engagement. The time has never been better to join our dynamic YMCA team! With the tripling of our Power Scholars Academy program, recently launched $15M Shelton YMCA capital campaign, and soon-to-be-opened Plum Street YMCA – our Y is on the cutting edge of impact and growth. Not only does this role provide unparalleled professional development opportunities, the incumbent will enjoy all the Pacific Northwest and South Sound has to offer. If you are looking to give back, feel good and work in a fast paced, rapidly changing environment – we are your Y!