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Development Director

Description

The Stephens Family YMCA is seeking an experienced Development Director to help advance our mission in this wonderful community! 


 Job Summary


The Development Director will provide the leadership for all fundraising activities at the Stephens Family YMCA.  The Development Director will work with the CEO, staff, board members, and other volunteers to accomplish fundraising goals and objectives. We are looking for an individual who can develop a culture of philanthropy that will continue to position the Stephens Family YMCA as a “Charity of Choice”.  This person’s work will help donors understand and support the YMCA’s mission and dedication to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Our ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of successful and proven fundraising experience. This role is pivotal in engaging volunteers, donors, and community leaders to secure philanthropic support that sustains and expands the Y’s impact.


Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree required.  
  • Five or more years of professional fundraising experience with a proven track record of success, including donor relations, annual giving, major gifts, grant writing, and special events. Experience with capital campaigns and endowments is a plus. Relevant and transferable work experience will also be considered.  
  • Strong oral communication, written communication, relationship building and "people" skills.
  • Commitment to the YMCA’s organizational mission and a strong desire to connect donors to the mission.
  • Working knowledge of charitable giving vehicles and the ability to create interpretive materials that effectively communicate the YMCA’s mission to potential donors.
  • Ability to think creatively about how to effectively engage new donor audiences.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to self-motivate and work independently.
  • Ability to engage with top community leaders and diverse groups across all social and economic segments.
  • Demonstrate a willingness and ability to travel frequently to meet with donors, partners, and stakeholders. This includes attending conferences, events, and face-to-face meetings to strengthen relationships and advance the organization's mission.
  • Familiarity in identifying and securing grants.
  • Expertise in using marketing and fundraising software packages, email marketing platforms, social media management tools, and analytics tools. This includes the ability to leverage these tools to enhance fundraising campaigns, track donor engagement, and optimize marketing strategies.
  • Proven ability to achieve pre-established metrics related to fundraising. This includes meeting or exceeding targets for donor acquisition, retention rates, campaign success, and overall fundraising revenue. Demonstrates a strong commitment to setting and reaching measurable goals that support the organization's mission and financial sustainability.

Essential Functions

  • Develop and manage both short-term and long-term fundraising plans that align with the Stephens Family YMCA's mission, vision, and values.
  • In partnership with the CEO and the Board of Directors, lead and execute the YMCA’s fundraising strategy which  includes the annual campaign, major gifts, special events, sponsorships, endowments, and capital campaigns.  
  • Oversee the development and execution of the annual campaign, ensuring that strategic activities are in place to achieve the campaign goal. 
  • Plan and implement fundraising special events that align with the YMCA’s mission and financial goals. Coordinate event volunteers and evaluate the return on investment for events.
  • Develop and manage the YMCA’s sponsorship program, identifying and cultivating donors to participate in year-round sponsorship opportunities. This includes securing support for the annual campaign, as well as for special events.
  • Identify and pursue new sources of grant funding. Prepare grant applications and maintain relationships with grantors. Manage the grant reporting process to ensure compliance and continued support.
  • Develop an annual calendar to strategically map out all development activities for each year.  
  • Work closely with the CEO, the Board of Directors and other staff to further obtain new charitable gifts to the YMCA.  Serve as a staff representative to the Development Committee
  • Demonstrate success in learning the details of our organization's substantive work and applying that knowledge in drafting successful fundraising solicitations.
  • Process all gifts and pledges in donor database; maintain donor records including Daxko Fundraising and other donor files; provide analytics and reporting as requested.  Complete donor acknowledgments, pledges, recognition, and stewardship, including corporate, foundation, and individual donors.
  • Represent the YMCA at community engagements and be a public representative of the work that is being done at the YMCA.  
  • Attends department and association meetings as required. Serve on the SFYMCA leadership team.

Cause-Driven Leadership® Competencies 

  • Values: Demonstrates in word and action the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility and shows a commitment to the YMCA’s mission.
  • Quality results: Demonstrates and fosters a strong commitment to achieving goals in a manner that provides quality experiences.
  • Functional expertise: Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.
  • Relationships: Builds authentic relationships in the service of enhancing individual and team performance to support the YMCA’s work.
  • Developing Others: Recognizes and acts on the need to continually develop others’ capabilities to attain the highest level of performance possible.
  • Philanthropy: Values and supports the many facets of philanthropy as an essential component in achieving the YMCA’s mission.

Requirements

Benefits

  

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life and LTD Insurance
Paid Vacation, sick, and personal days
Paid Holidays
403(b) and 401(a)
Free YMCA membership
Discount on YMCA programs and merchandise


Abuse Prevention

  

As a YMCA staff member, you are responsible for ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all members, participants, and colleagues. This includes actively adhering to and promoting the YMCA's abuse risk management policies, which are designed to prevent and address any potential incidents of abuse. You are expected to remain vigilant in recognizing signs of abuse, report any concerns or suspicious behaviors immediately, and participate in required training to stay informed on best practices for safeguarding. Your commitment to these protocols is essential in fostering a trusted, respectful, and secure environment for everyone involved in YMCA programs and services.

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Average salary estimate

$75000 / YEARLY (est.)
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$60000K
$90000K

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What You Should Know About Development Director, The Y (YMCA)

Join the vibrant team at the Stephens Family YMCA as our new Development Director in beautiful Champaign, Illinois! We're searching for an experienced professional who is passionate about driving our fundraising efforts and advancing our mission of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. In this engaging role, you will lead all fundraising activities, collaborating closely with our CEO, dedicated staff, and board members to make a meaningful impact in our community. Your expertise will cultivate a culture of philanthropy, ensuring our YMCA is seen as a charity of choice. With your strong communication skills and ability to build relationships, you will inspire donors and partners to support our initiatives. We’re looking for someone with at least five years of proven fundraising experience, preferably with expertise in capital campaigns and grant writing. If you have a bachelor’s degree, a creative mindset for engaging new donor audiences, and a drive to connect people to our mission, we want to hear from you! Your work will not only help sustain the YMCA but will also expand our reach and community programs. This position not only allows for personal growth in a leadership role but also offers benefits such as health insurance, a 403(b) plan, and a free YMCA membership. Let’s work together to foster an inclusive and thriving community!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Development Director Role at The Y (YMCA)
What qualifications are needed for the Development Director position at the Stephens Family YMCA?

To be considered for the Development Director role at the Stephens Family YMCA, candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of successful fundraising experience. This includes a proven track record in donor relations, major gifts, and grant writing. Strong interpersonal skills and familiarity with charitable giving vehicles are also key qualifications that the ideal candidate should have.

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What are the main responsibilities of the Development Director at the Stephens Family YMCA?

The Development Director at the Stephens Family YMCA is responsible for leading all fundraising efforts, which includes managing the annual campaign, special events, sponsorships, and capital campaigns. This role also involves developing long-term fundraising strategies, engaging with volunteers and community leaders, and maintaining relationships with donors and grantors. Effectively communicating the YMCA’s mission to potential donors is also a crucial part of this position.

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How does the Development Director contribute to the mission of the Stephens Family YMCA?

The Development Director plays a pivotal role in advancing the Stephens Family YMCA's mission by securing philanthropic support for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility initiatives. By fostering a culture of philanthropy and engaging with the community, the Development Director helps to communicate the YMCA's impact, drawing in new donors and volunteers to strengthen our programs.

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What skills are essential for success as the Development Director at the Stephens Family YMCA?

Key skills for the Development Director role include strong oral and written communication abilities, relationship-building expertise, analytical skills, and creativity in donor engagement. Additionally, familiarity with fundraising software, a commitment to the YMCA's mission, and the ability to interface with diverse groups within the community are essential for success in this position.

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What benefits does the Development Director receive at the Stephens Family YMCA?

The Development Director at the Stephens Family YMCA enjoys a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, paid vacation, sick days, personal days, and holidays. Additionally, there’s a retirement plan, as well as a free YMCA membership and discounts on programs and merchandise.

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Common Interview Questions for Development Director
What experience do you have with fundraising campaigns?

When discussing your experience with fundraising campaigns, focus on specific examples where you successfully planned and executed strategies. Highlight metrics, such as funds raised or donor engagement levels, to demonstrate your impact. Emphasize your ability to adapt campaigns based on audience feedback and your creativity in developing unique fundraising events.

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How do you build relationships with donors?

Building relationships with donors involves consistent communication, trust, and transparency. Discuss how you approach donor engagement by sharing regular updates, personalized thank-you notes, and field visits to show appreciation. Emphasize active listening and being responsive to their feedback, as these are pivotal to maintaining long-term relationships.

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Can you give an example of a successful grant application you’ve submitted?

When asked about a successful grant application, share a brief narrative outlining the grant's purpose, your role in the application process, and the outcome. Highlight aspects such as research, alignment with the grantor’s mission, and follow-up communication, underlining the measurable impact of the grant on your previous organization’s programs.

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What strategies would you implement to engage new donor audiences?

To engage new donor audiences, I would utilize data analytics to identify potential donor segments and tailor outreach strategies. Emphasize your approach to leveraging social media, community engagement events, and partnerships with local businesses to highlight the YMCA’s mission, ensuring our message resonates with diverse audiences.

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How would you measure success in your role as Development Director?

Measuring success as the Development Director involves setting clear, quantifiable goals such as fundraising targets, donor acquisition, and retention rates. Discuss how you analyze data from fundraising software and surveys to assess campaign effectiveness and adapt strategies accordingly, ensuring continuous improvement toward meeting the YMCA’s objectives.

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Describe your experience with organizing fundraising events.

Share specific examples of fundraising events you have organized, detailing your responsibilities in planning, executing, and evaluating the events. Discuss how you managed volunteers, created promotional materials, and assessed the financial and community impact of each event to showcase your organizational competency.

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How do you ensure compliance with philanthropic regulations?

To ensure compliance with philanthropic regulations, it's important to stay informed about changes in policies and best practices. Explain your process for regularly reviewing compliance guidelines, maintaining documentation, and training staff to adhere to ethical fundraising practices, ensuring all activities align with legal standards.

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What techniques do you use to communicate the YMCA's mission effectively?

To communicate the YMCA's mission effectively, I employ storytelling and data visualization techniques to highlight our impact. Discuss how you tailor your messaging to different audiences, including creating engaging visual materials and powerful narratives that resonate with potential donors, showing them the genuine need for support.

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How do you handle situations when fundraising campaigns do not meet expectations?

When faced with underperforming campaigns, it’s essential to analyze the data to identify weaknesses and gather feedback from stakeholders. Discuss your approach to pivoting strategies, brainstorming new engagement ideas, and maintaining transparency with donors about adjustments while emphasizing the importance of lessons learned for future initiatives.

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Why is philanthropy important to the community served by the YMCA?

Philanthropy plays a crucial role in supporting the YMCA's mission by providing the necessary resources that help us deliver programs that positively impact local communities. Discuss how donations enhance youth development initiatives, promote healthy living, and strengthen community ties, emphasizing how philanthropy ensures the YMCA can continue serving diverse populations effectively.

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The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – ...

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Full-time, on-site
DATE POSTED
April 4, 2025

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