Chief Development Officer

YMCA
Salary
$150,000.00
$160,000.00
How to Apply
Apply Online
Resumes Accepted Until
This is a unique opportunity to build and lead a growing development function at a mission-driven organization poised for growth.
Job Description

The Chief Development Officer is a senior leadership role responsible for leading all aspects of fundraising and related communications.

Reporting to the President & CEO and serving on the leadership team, the CDO will establish and grow a comprehensive development program, with a focus on major gifts, annual giving, institutional partnerships, and campaign strategy. The CDO will play a critical role in building a culture of philanthropy, strengthening donor relationships, and positioning the YMCA for its upcoming capital campaign.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus
  • 10+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with increasing leadership responsibility
  • Demonstrated success securing 6+7 figure major gifts and building donor relationships, securing 8-figure gifts a plus
  • Experience leading or supporting capital campaigns strongly preferred
  • Proven ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies
  • Strong leadership and team management experience
  • Experience building and working with Boards and engaging volunteers in fundraising
  • Proficiency with donor databases/CRMs and data-driven decision-making
  • Excellent communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills
  • Ability to work both strategically and hands-on in a dynamic environment
  • Passion for the YMCA mission and commitment to community impact
Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership

  • Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with the YMCA’s strategic and capital priorities
  • Partner with the CEO and Board to advance fundraising goals and community visibility
  • Help build and sustain a strong culture of philanthropy across staff, Board, and volunteers
  • Lead the development of a clear and compelling case for support

Fundraising & Revenue Growth

  • Build and lead a major gifts program, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
  • Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects 
  • Oversee all fundraising streams, including annual fund, events, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and in-kind support
  • Expand and strengthen all fundraising streams, including annual giving, events, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants 
  • Identify new funding opportunities and strategic partnerships 
  • Support planning for future capital and comprehensive campaign efforts 

Board & Volunteer Engagement

  • Serve as the primary staff partner to the Board on fundraising initiatives 
  • Partner with the CEO to strengthen Board engagement and accountability in fundraising 
  • Support and guide volunteer-led fundraising and community engagement efforts  

Communications & External Relations

  • Oversee messaging and communications strategy to support fundraising and visibility 
  • Ensure consistent, compelling messaging across donor materials and outreach channels 
  • Represent the YMCA in the community to build relationships and increase awareness  

Operations, Finance & Infrastructure

  • Establish systems, processes, and metrics to track fundraising performance 
  • Oversee donor database (CRM) strategy and reporting 
  • Develop and manage the development budget and revenue projections 
  • Partner with finance to ensure accurate tracking and reporting of contributions 
  • Ensure adherence to fundraising best practices and ethical standards  

First-Year Priorities

  • Assess current fundraising landscape and opportunities 
  • Build an initial major donor pipeline and strengthen donor engagement practices 
  • Establish foundational systems, processes, and performance metrics 
  • Partner with CEO and Board to clarify fundraising roles and expectations
  •  Lay groundwork for future campaign readiness 

Comprehensive benefits include:

  • Medical and dental insurance 
  • YMCA retirement plan (12% employer contribution after two-year eligibility period) 
  • Paid time off, holidays, and personal days 
  • YMCA family membership
  • On-site parking

Additional Expectations

  • Availability for occasional evenings and weekends for events and donor engagement
  • Active presence in the community as a representative of the YMCA
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the role
  • Perform other duties as assigned