VP of Development

YMCA
Salary
$85,000.00
$95,000.00
How to Apply
Apply Online
Explore this exciting leadership opportunity and join us in making a lasting difference in our community! 
Job Description

Build a Legacy. Inspire Generosity. Transform Lives.

The YMCA of Columbia is seeking a dynamic, results-driven Vice President of Development to lead and grow our fundraising efforts. As a key member of our leadership team, you'll build meaningful donor relationships, secure major gifts, lead capital campaigns, and develop strategies that expand our community impact. With the new addition of our Chapin branch and a branch in Kershaw County in the capital campaign phase, we're looking for a strategic, hands-on leader who can inspire generosity, drive results, and build a lasting legacy.

Located in the heart of South Carolina, Columbia offers Southern hospitality, vibrant culture, and an inviting quality of life. Enjoy boating on Lake Murray, exploring Congaree National Park, or escaping to the beautiful beaches and Blue Ridge Mountains just a few hours away. With a thriving dining and arts scene, college athletics, welcoming communities, and an affordable cost of living, Columbia is a great place to build both a career and a life.

The Vice President of Development is responsible for leading and overseeing the organization’s fundraising, development and philanthropic strategy to help drive sustainable revenue growth through annual giving, major and planned gifts, corporate giving, foundation partnerships, capital development and endowment development. This includes managing donor relations, coordinating fundraising campaigns, overseeing grant acquisition and management, and strengthening community partnerships. Additionally, this role will lead and implement capital campaigns to support major funding initiatives.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent.
  • 5-8+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated success in major gifts, campaigns and donor development. 
  • Foundation, corporate and government grant writing expertise.
  • Experience building and growing a donor base, ideally in a developing organization.

Preferred:

  • Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) or equivalent credential.
  • Experience working with nonprofit boards and community leaders.
  • Knowledge of financial management related to fundraising, including budgeting and compliance.
  • Ability to create and execute successful capital campaigns.
  • Familiarity with social media and digital fundraising strategies.
  • Experience in planned giving, corporate partnerships, and advocacy.
Essential Functions
  • Develops and implements comprehensive fundraising strategies, including annual campaigns, capital campaigns, and legacy gift programs.
  • Cultivates and stewards relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation partners.
  • Leads and executes the planning and execution of capital campaigns, including donor solicitation, campaign strategy, and goal setting. 
  • Directs and coordinates special fundraising events and community engagement initiatives.
  • Oversees the preparation and submission of grant proposals and funding applications.
  • Develops, monitors and executes the development department’s budget and financial goals.
  • Works with marketing teams to create compelling fundraising materials, newsletters, and donor communications.
  • Manages donor databases and ensures accurate record-keeping and reporting.
  • Collaborates with the Board of Directors and fundraising committees to maximize engagement and contributions.
  • Represents the organization at public events, networking functions, and media opportunities.
  • Develops and manages planned giving programs and investments.
  • Secures corporate sponsorships and partnerships to support organizational initiatives.
  • Engages, trains volunteers in fundraising activities and donor relations.
  • Leads advocacy efforts and public relations initiatives to enhance community visibility.
  • Works with the YMCA Executive team to align fundraising with long-term goals.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

  • Mission Advancement - Accepts and demonstrates the Ys values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruit volunteers and build effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fundraising.

  • 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 Efffectiveness - Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establish 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

To perform this job successfully an employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications and duties listed above, and the physical demands of the position listed here, are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an employee with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The physical demands of the position include:

  • Visual and auditory ability to observe and to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency.
  • Ability to lead and interact in-group activities and perform related physical skills.
  • Ability to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, or crouch. Ability to climb, push, and pull. 
  • Ability to lift and carry objects up to 25 pounds.