Fundraising & Community Relations

YMCA
Resumes Accepted Until
Resume Contact
[email protected]
At the Gaston County Family YMCA, our employees are the backbone of our success! 
Job Description

The Fundraising and Community Relations Director will support a comprehensive year-round program to promote best practices for face-to-face, volunteer-led fundraising throughout all areas of philanthropy for the Association. The primary responsibility of the Director role is the planning, oversight, implementation, and continued growth of the YMCA’s annual campaign and other community relations efforts that support philanthropy. Working in a team environment, this role will work closely with all branch leaders, donors and volunteers to ensure the execution of successful efforts that support meeting goals. 

Qualifications

  • Four-year college degree or equivalent work experience

  • Minimum of three years of fundraising experience leading campaigns

  • Familiarity with the principles of annual campaign organization and communications

  • Proven experience in cultivation and solicitation face to face-to-face gifts

  • Demonstrated leadership ability, team management, and interpersonal skills

  • Strong interpersonal and professional communication skills and the ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community

  • Must present a professional image and possess conflict resolution skills, and demonstrate sound judgment and initiative

  • Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information

  • Possess excellent verbal and written communications skills

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other software programs, as well as the ability to use most office equipment is required

Essential Functions

  • Implement fundraising strategies with a primary focus on best practices for face-to-face fundraising with limited reliance, but support on fundraising special events.

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive Annual Giving Campaign plan including case development, goal setting/budgeting, training of staff and volunteers, donor communications and stewardship 

  • Support capital and endowment efforts

  • Provide needed resources for branches to execute successful campaigns.

  • Work with branch leaders to support fundraising and community events.

  • Provide ongoing training to YMCA staff, Board and volunteers on campaign best practices and donor engagement.

  • Support the identification, recruitment, recognition and ongoing communications for campaign volunteer leadership.

  • Work with staff and volunteers to ensure an effective year-round donor cultivation, recognition and stewardship plan is in place based on best practices including items like donor acknowledgments, recognition, impact reports, etc.

  • Represent the fundraising efforts association-wide meetings and with operational teams as needed.

  • Coordinate with branch leadership to obtain grants that support the work of the association and track all grant efforts and metrics

  • Work with the marketing director on campaign messaging, visuals, and content

  • Association liaison at community events, fairs, and other civic groups where appropriate

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.

Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and
perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members. 

Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. 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.