Chief Development Officer

Lead a Transformational Moment in Community Impact

For more than 150 years, the Somerville YMCA has been a trusted community anchor, strengthening lives through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Today, we are entering one of the most exciting chapters in our history.

The Somerville YMCA is planning a transformative expansion that includes a new 130,000-square-foot community campus featuring affordable housing, expanded aquatics and wellness facilities, and enhanced youth and family programming. This bold vision will dramatically increase our impact across the community and create meaningful opportunities for philanthropy and engagement.

To help bring this vision to life, we are seeking an accomplished and entrepreneurial Chief Development Officer (CDO) to build and lead our fundraising strategy during this pivotal period of growth.

This is an opportunity for a fundraising leader who thrives on building relationships, creating momentum, and transforming ambitious visions into reality.

Why This Role Matters

As Chief Development Officer, you will be the architect of the YMCA’s next generation of philanthropy.

Working closely with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, community leaders, and key stakeholders, you will establish the systems, strategies, partnerships, and culture needed to significantly expand philanthropic support and prepare the organization for a future capital campaign.

This is more than a fundraising leadership position. It is a chance to shape the future of one of the region’s most respected nonprofit organizations while creating lasting impact for thousands of children, families, and older adults.

What Success Looks Like

In your first 12-24 months, you will:

• Develop and launch a comprehensive fundraising strategy that drives sustainable growth.
• Build and strengthen a robust major gifts pipeline.
• Deepen engagement with current donors while identifying new philanthropic partners.
• Equip and inspire Board members and volunteers to become active fundraising ambassadors.
• Strengthen development operations, reporting, and donor stewardship practices.
• Lay the foundation for a successful future capital campaign.
• Help position the YMCA as a leading philanthropic investment opportunity in Greater Boston.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with the YMCA’s strategic vision and expansion plans.
• Partner closely with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
• Build a culture of philanthropy that engages staff, volunteers, donors, and community stakeholders.
• Develop a compelling case for support that inspires investment in the YMCA’s mission.

Major Gifts & Philanthropic Partnerships

• Personally manage and grow a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects.
• Lead donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and relationship management efforts.
• Secure six- and seven-figure gifts while building pathways toward transformational giving.
• Identify and develop relationships with corporate, foundation, and community partners.
• Create strategies to increase annual giving, sponsorship revenue, and institutional funding.

Campaign Readiness & Expansion

• Assess organizational readiness for future campaign initiatives.
• Partner with leadership to develop campaign strategies, prospect pipelines, and volunteer leadership structures.
• Build fundraising infrastructure necessary to support future comprehensive and capital campaigns.

Board & Community Engagement

• Serve as the primary development liaison to the Board of Directors.
• Coach and support Board members in donor engagement and fundraising activities.
• Represent the YMCA throughout the community and strengthen relationships with civic, philanthropic, and business leaders.
• Increase awareness of the YMCA’s impact, vision, and philanthropic priorities.

Development Operations & Performance

• Establish measurable fundraising goals, KPIs, dashboards, and reporting systems.
• Lead CRM strategy, donor pipeline management, and fundraising analytics.
• Develop and manage annual development budgets and revenue forecasts.
• Ensure compliance with fundraising best practices and ethical standards.

Who You Are

You are a strategic and relationship-driven fundraiser that combines vision with execution. You know how to cultivate trust, inspire generosity, and build systems that support long-term success.

You are equally comfortable meeting with a major donor, presenting to a Board committee, analyzing fundraising metrics, or helping create a compelling campaign strategy.

Most importantly, you believe in the power of community organizations to create meaningful and lasting change.

Qualifications

Required:

• 10+ years of progressive fundraising leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success securing and stewarding six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Track record of building strong donor relationships and growing philanthropic revenue.
• Experience developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies.
• Strong leadership, management, and team-building skills.
• Experience partnering effectively with Boards of Directors and volunteer leaders.
• Proficiency with fundraising CRMs and data-informed decision-making.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree and/or CFRE credential.
• Experience participating in or leading capital campaigns.
• Experience in community-based nonprofit, YMCA, education, healthcare, housing, or human services organizations.
• Experience helping organizations scale fundraising programs through periods of growth and transformation.
• Success securing transformational gifts of $1M+.

Why Join the Somerville YMCA?

At the Somerville YMCA, you’ll join a mission-driven organization with deep community roots, strong leadership, and a bold vision for the future.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Shape the philanthropic future of a respected 150-year-old institution.
• Partner directly with an engaged President & CEO and Board of Directors.
• Lead fundraising for a transformational community expansion initiative.
• Build and grow a development function with significant organizational support.
• Create measurable impact for children, families, and residents across the region.
• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• YMCA family membership
• On-site parking
• YMCA Retirement Fund participation, including a 12% employer contribution after eligibility requirements are met
• Paid time off

Schedule: Hybrid

Additional Requirements:

• Occasional evening and weekend availability for donor and community events
• Local presence and relationship building throughout the Greater Boston community
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging