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THE ORGANIZATION

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Overview 

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The YMCA of the East Bay is one of the largest YMCAs in the nation serving over 90,000 children, teens, and adults in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Since joining forces with the YMCA of the Central Bay Area in 2017, the YMCA of the East Bay’s staff, board, and volunteers have created a culture rooted in three key mission priorities: early childhood impact, youth development, and healthy communities.

 

Central to the YMCA’s mission is a commitment to “building more than muscle.” To significantly reduce the increasing incidence of chronic disease and the rising health care costs that Bay Area families continually face, the Y is committed to increasing access to high-quality health and fitness resources. This work is vital for building healthy individuals, families, and communities. Through personalized programs, exercise classes, fitness coaching, and much more, the Y’s five branches play an important role in advancing the health of East Bay communities.

 

But the work of the YMCA extends beyond the walls of its fitness centers and reaches deep into East Bay communities, many of which are economically disadvantaged and often trauma impacted. At its 18 Early Learning Centers, the Y’s staff work tirelessly to close the opportunity gap by providing children with the head start they need to succeed in school and in life. With studies showing that children from under-resourced communities lag far behind those living in more affluent communities in every category imaginable, including self-efficacy, language acquisition, and self-esteem, the work of the Y has become increasingly important and critical to narrowing achievement gaps and, ultimately, reducing income inequality. 

 

Through its youth development/after school programs, Y staff provide tutoring, counseling, and crucial support to students on 30 school campuses throughout the East Bay. This unceasing and committed work is creating healthier school climates and enabling kids to see and reach their full potential, even in the most challenging circumstances.

 

The YMCA of the East Bay’s vibrant and diverse community includes people of all ages, from every walk of life, working side by side to strengthen communities. Its work environment is built around collaboration, teamwork, community, diversity and inclusion. With a local presence and national reach, its mission will continue to be one of Advancing Health, Empowering Youth, and Strengthening Communities.

 

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THE POSITION

 

The YMCA of the East Bay has an exciting opportunity for an experienced fundraiser with an entrepreneurial spirit and the leadership skills to build a strong, comprehensive program for a growing organization. The Chief Development Officer will serve as a member of the Y’s senior leadership team and be responsible for building a true culture of philanthropy within and for the organization.  

 

The CDO will design, implement and oversee all fundraising activities, including those involving individual and family philanthropy, corporate and foundation giving, annual campaign giving, donor relations, and planned giving. The CDO will also provide support and counsel regarding fundraising to the organization’s five branches and work closely with the CEO and the Association’s boards, volunteers, and colleagues to develop positive and fruitful relations with the community. The CDO will assess, develop and manage the fundraising infrastructure and systems needed to increase the Y’s fundraising revenues and improve the donor experience. Success in this role will require strong leadership and relationship building skills, a well-rounded functional skill set, and superior communication skills. The CDO supervises a Development Manager and will likely manage additional staff as the program grows.    

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

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• Build and lead a diversified development program to grow the Y’s revenues and donor base. Assess, strengthen and manage key functional areas of the fundraising program, including corporate, foundation and individual giving (annual, major and planned giving), donor recognition/stewardship, development operations, prospect research and events

• Build a culture of philanthropy internally and externally that will attract donors to the organization. Work in close partnership with leadership and colleagues to build the Y’s philanthropic capabilities. Provide counsel, training and direction to Association-wide staff and to volunteers involving development and its importance to the organization

• Create and implement annual plans aligned with the strategic direction of the organization, including both monetary and activity goals

• Evaluate and design the necessary infrastructure, appropriate systems and staffing to support and grow the YMCA’s development program and operations

• Strengthen the Y’s individual giving program. Bring focus to and grow a major gift program by increasing the prospect pipeline and creating opportunities and strategies to engage prospects and donors in the life of the organization. Partner with the CEO, board and volunteers to create long lasting relationships between donors and the Y  

• Design and manage the Y’s annual fundraising campaign. Oversee the management of direct mail and online appeal activities. Support and guide branch executive directors and volunteers in their fundraising efforts and in the art and science of successful fundraising

• Build and strengthen the Y’s institutional giving program. Develop long-term relationships with funders, in order to increase support from corporations and from independent, community and family foundations

• Provide support and guidance to the Development Manager in maintaining and continuously improving the donor/prospect database to ensure high integrity of data, prompt gift acknowledgements, accurate reporting and appropriate compliance

• Increase efforts to promote planned giving opportunities and establish a successful, long-term planned/deferred giving program

• Serve as a regional and national ambassador of the Y to donors, prospects and other external constituencies, involving colleagues as appropriate in outreach, cultivation and solicitation activities

• Assess the need for and manage any strategic cultivation or donor recognition events or other activities to attract or acknowledge gifts and increase donors

• Work in partnership with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications to enhance the association’s community image and donor experience through public relations, media and community outreach. Collaborate on development-related communications and constituent outreach activities involving website management, e-mail communications and campaigns, social media, print collateral, case statements, proposals, etc.

• Serve as fundraising liaison and counsel to the full board and other volunteer groups, assisting with special board projects and leveraging board and staff relationships to maximize fundraising opportunities

• Determine the staffing needs of the development program. Hire, coach and manage  department staff required to meet fundraising goals in support of the Association’s strategic priorities

 

 

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

 

Education:

 

A Bachelor’s degree is required. Advanced degree and/or fundraising certification (CFRE) appreciated.

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Experience:

 

• Minimum ten (10) years progressively responsible and successful leadership in nonprofit fundraising

• Experience managing and mentoring a development staff that meets its goals

• Experience building a fundraising program with diverse revenue streams and a demonstrated track record of fundraising success

• Strong knowledge and experience in fundraising strategic planning and implementation

• Tangible experience in individual gift fundraising, with a demonstrated ability to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors/prospects and effectively move them through the development cycle leading to increased giving

• Experience in institutional giving by having developed stronger relations with corporations and foundations and successfully identifying opportunities to create philanthropic partnerships

• Experience serving in the role of resource/coach/mentor to board members, volunteers and colleagues, engaging and supporting them with their efforts in fundraising and donor and prospect engagement

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COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES

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The successful professional will have or be:

 

• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills and a capacity to develop and implement clear goals, systems and priorities

• An entrepreneurial spirit with a high level of initiative, attention to detail and strong organizational skills

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship skills

• Excellent communication skills: written, oral, and presentation

• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office, or other computer programs necessary to perform job duties

• Demonstrated ability to engage and support volunteers with their efforts in fundraising and donor and prospect engagement

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse and multi-cultural business leaders, community and government officials, volunteers, Board of Directors, senior leadership and team members at all levels of the organization

• A positive outlook with a high degree of emotional intelligence

• Deep understanding of development principles and regulations pertaining to charitable contributions

• Strong financial skills, including the ability to develop budgets and management reports that present a clear financial picture of fundraising activities

• Proven track record of cultivating and soliciting gifts from individuals and from corporate and foundation donors

• Familiarity with and understanding of fundraising technology and software and demonstrated ability to select, implement and manage development technologies and systems

• Demonstrated skill in respectful and sensitive communication with diverse cultures, language groups, genders, sexual orientations, lifestyles, and backgrounds

• Unquestioned integrity, professional demeanor and authenticity in building relations with and inspiring best effort from staff, donors, volunteers and partners.

• Earnest and sincere commitment to the mission and core values of the YMCA

 

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
 

A competitive compensation package, including a comprehensive benefits package, will be offered. To be considered for this position or for additional information, please contact and/or send resume and cover letter to:

David N. Randall

Principal

Randall Search Associates

415 769 4210

david@randallsearchassociates.com

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The YMCA of the East Bay is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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