Director of Philanthropy, Camp and Outdoor Leadership

Leads the development and execution of philanthropic growth for the YGS Camp and Outdoor Leadership executive staff and Advisory Board.
Job Description

The YMCA of Greater Seattle seeks a Director of Philanthropy, Camp and Outdoor Leadership, a full-time position responsible for creating the strategy and directing for philanthropic contributed revenue generation working in partnership with members of the Camp and Outdoor Leadership executive staff and Advisory Board. The Director of Philanthropy, Camp and Outdoor Leadership leads the development and execution of the YMCA of Greater Seattle Camp and Outdoor Leadership’s continued philanthropic growth through expanded donor cultivation and stewardship, alumni engagement, annual gifts, and grant opportunities. Execution of year-round fundraising and philanthropic efforts, aligning with the YMCA of Greater Seattle efforts as appropriate, including but not limited to the following elements: Annual Fund Drive, Major Gifts ($5,000+), foundation solicitation, current and new grant opportunities, ensure donor recognition and facilitate meaningful stewardship. Responsibilities include working with a portfolio of individuals to acquire, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $5,000 or higher. Responsible for working with volunteers on a comprehensive and aggressive campaign plan that will maximize capital, major giving and planned giving opportunities. The Director of Philanthropy reports to the AVP Capital and Major Gifts and works closely with the Camp and Outdoor Leadership Executive Directors, Advisory Board members, Development team and other staff to carry out a comprehensive fundraising plan targeting individuals to support this initiative.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in business administration, financial development, communication, public relations, human services or equivalent.
  • Five or more years of successful full-time financial development experience. Must possess strong relationship building, communication and organizational skills.
  • Must be an energetic professional with a track record of building donor relationships and closing gifts in the five and six-figure range.
  • Ability to listen and ask leading questions that encourage prospects and donors to talk about themselves, their interests, and activities
  • Must be highly organized, able to work independently, and have an ability to work under pressure, to coordinate multiple requests and meet competing deadlines.
  • Possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
  • Familiarity with the Raisers Edge and NXT donor databases and development best practices, is a plus
  • Prefer knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
Essential Functions
  • Manage a portfolio of approximately 125 prospective donors capable of making gifts of $5,000 or more and will be expected to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward these very important friends of the YMCA.
  • Creates an expanded pipeline, generates new leads, and qualifies major gift prospects from research, prospect tracking tools, fundraising colleagues, and prior experience; works with the Development team to identify and cultivate major prospects for capital, program, and endowment support.
  • Work collaboratively with and in support of Camp and Outdoor Leadership volunteers, development and advancement staff colleagues, and other Y representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for association-wide priorities.
  • During Annual Fund Drive, in partnership with the Annual Giving Team, provide coaching, strategies, and support to the Camp and Outdoor Leadership staff to ensure that donor solicitations are strategic and appropriate, with an emphasis on $1,000+ donors.
  • Cultivates culture of philanthropy throughout Camp and Outdoor Leadership and helps promote year-round philanthropy through leadership of Executive Directors.
  • Lead efforts to advance YMCA of Greater Seattle’s Endowment and Planned Giving programs as related to Camp and Outdoor Leadership.

Impact 

  • This position has primary impact on the success of the philanthropic success of the YMCA of Greater Seattle’s Camp and Outdoor Leadership programming. More youth and families will have access to programs and more diversity of programming opportunities will be made available to community.
  • Effective staff will ensure volunteers feel well supported and acknowledged, and donors will be recognized and cultivated resulting in increased giving and retention in support of the YMCA and its mission.
  • Camp and Outdoor Leadership donors and volunteers will advance in the continuum of engagement from casual to connected to committed thanks to the engagement and integrity of the staff member in this role.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.  This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. 

Travel 

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies

Team Leader

  • Values - Strengthens the Y's culture by demonstrating the values of the Y - honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility - in every aspect of work.
  • Inclusion - Models cultural competence and supports diversity, effectively working with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions.
  • Develop Self and Others - Demonstrates teamwork and personal accountability, seeking and providing feedback, coaching, and resources for development.
  • Quality Results - Takes the initiative and holds self and others accountable to meet or exceed quantitative and qualitative goals relating to people (employees and members), philanthropy, finance and volunteerism.
  • Change Capacity - Facilitates change, seeks opportunities in the change process, models adaptability, and leads transition in support of the Y's mission.
  • Inspire Others - Promotes creativity, generates excitement, and rewards risk taking, while consistently demonstrating a high level of emotional maturity, maintaining a positive attitude and building strong relationships.