VP of Advancement

YMCA
Salary
$102,000.00
$120,000.00
How to Apply
Apply Online
Resumes Accepted Until
Ready to lead bold fundraising and lasting partnerships? Bring data, storytelling, and heart to advance our mission.
Job Description

As our Vice President of Advancement, you’ll be the chief architect of a modern, community-powered philanthropy program that fuels the Summit Area YMCA’s mission. You’ll partner with the President & CEO, an engaged Board, and leaders across programs to set bold fundraising goals, cultivate transformational major gifts, and deepen support from foundations and corporate partners. You’ll lead a talented team, build a best-in-class advancement operation (from pipeline strategy and grantmaking to stewardship and analytics), and serve as our chief storyteller—translating program outcomes into compelling cases for support that inspire generosity and long-term partnership.

What makes this role exciting: the scale of impact in our communities, the chance to shape strategy at the executive table, and the mandate to innovate—integrating data, digital engagement, and inclusive fundraising practices to broaden who gives, how they give, and why they stay involved.

You May Be the Right Person If You…

  • Love blending strategy with hands-on relationship building.
  • Are energized by setting bold revenue goals—and meeting them.
  • Can coach, inspire, and hold a team accountable.
  • Translate data and donor insights into smart action.
  • Thrive collaborating across departments and with community leaders.

What You’ll Do:

  • Lead our philanthropy engine: Oversee the planning and execution of the Annual Campaign, planned giving, grant strategy, special events, and donor stewardship programs.
  • Drive major gifts & partnerships: Build a robust pipeline; identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals, corporations, and foundations.
  • Activate board & volunteers: Serve as staff liaison to the Advancement Committee; equip leaders and volunteers to champion philanthropy.
  • Tell the story: Collaborate with Marketing to develop compelling cases for support, reports, and donor communications.
  • Run a high-performing shop: Supervise the Development Team; manage the department budget; ensure accurate CRM use (Bloomerang), gift processing, acknowledgments, reporting, and compliance.

At the Summit Area YMCA, we are committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. Our main purpose is to strengthen the community. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone can reach their full potential, and we strive to live our cause with purpose every day. No matter who you are or where you’re from, we believe that we’re stronger when we come together.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or CFRE preferred.
  • Minimum of 6 years of progressive fundraising experience, including major gifts, capital campaigns, annual campaigns, and special events.
  • Proven success identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major donors, corporations, and foundations.
  • Experience leading and mentoring a development team.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to craft persuasive donor communications.
  • Strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
  • Proficiency with fundraising software (Bloomerang preferred) and reporting tools.
  • Extensive foundation grant writing experience required.
  • Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
Essential Functions

Fundraising Leadership

  • Lead the planning and execution of the Annual Campaign, planned giving, grant proposals, and special events.
  • Partner with the CEO and Board Advancement Committee to design and deliver strategies that grow contributed revenue and expand donor engagement.
  • Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Advancement Committee, engaging trustees and community leaders in philanthropy initiatives.
  • Oversee all aspects of the gift cycle, from identification and cultivation through solicitation, stewardship, and recognition.

Donor Engagement & Cultivation

  • Build and manage relationships with major donors, corporations, and foundations, cultivating a pipeline of annual donors toward major giving.
  • Increase donor retention and upgrade rates through targeted stewardship and personalized engagement strategies.
  • Lead in partnership with the CEO Executive Directors, and volunteers on major gift solicitations and high-level donor cultivation.
  • Represent the YMCA at community events, donor gatherings, and public forums, serving as a visible ambassador for the Y’s mission.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

  • Supervise the Development Team, ensuring alignment with department goals, timelines, and revenue targets.
  • Partner with the CEO, Executive Directors and Marketing Team to produce compelling cases for support, annual reports, newsletters, donor collateral, and event materials.
  • Engage, train, and support staff and volunteers across the Y to participate effectively in annual campaign and donor engagement efforts.

Operations & Compliance

  • Oversee the Bloomerang fundraising database, ensuring accurate gift processing, acknowledgments, reporting, and moves management.
  • Maintain accountability and compliance standards for all fundraising activities and funding sources.
  • Prepare, monitor, and manage the Development Department’s annual budget.
  • Lead the preparation and submission of grant proposals, overseeing reporting requirements and stewardship of foundation partners.
  • As an Ambassador for the Y, communicates to members, volunteers, and the general public that the Y is the nation’s leading non-profit committed to strengthening the community through Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.
  • As an Ambassador for the Y, communicates to members, volunteers, and the general public that diversity and inclusion are core to the Summit Area YMCA mission. The SAY is open and inclusive of all people regardless of their ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and socio-economic background and we must all strive courageously against any discriminatory behavior and will always abide by the Summit Area YMCA’s Diversity & Inclusion policy as explained in the Employee Handbook.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Philanthropy: Secures resources and support to advance the Y’s work

Communication & Influence:  Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y’s cause.

Program/ Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs

Functional Expertise:  Executes superior technical skills for the role.

Required Certifications

Salary & Benefits
This full-time, exempt-level position generally works Monday–Friday during standard business hours, with occasional evening or weekend responsibilities. The Salary range for this position is $102,000 – $120,000 annually, based on experience.

The Summit Area YMCA offers a generous benefits package that includes subsidized medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance. Paid time off for vacation, wellness, and holidays, Free YMCA family membership, discounts on YMCA programs and services (including childcare), Ongoing professional training and development and a 12% employer contribution to the YMCA retirement plan upon eligibility.