Chief Executive Officer

The Decatur Family YMCA is an equal opportunity employer. We work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to...

Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY AT THE DECATUR FAMILY YMCA


The Decatur Family YMCA is seeking a mission-driven, community-centered Chief Executive Officer to lead one of Central Illinois’ long-standing community institutions into its next era of impact, growth, and sustainability. For nearly 150 years, the Decatur Family YMCA has been woven into the fabric of Decatur and Macon County, serving as a trusted gathering place where children discover confidence and possibility, families find support, adults pursue health and wellness, and neighbors of all backgrounds experience connection, belonging, and care.


This is a meaningful leadership opportunity for a visible, relational, and strategic executive who understands both the heart and business of the YMCA. The next CEO will step into an organization with a proud legacy, an engaged volunteer Board of Directors, a committed leadership team, valued community partnerships, and a clear strategic direction shaped by the Board and staff leadership in summer 2025. Building from this foundation, the CEO will have the opportunity to elevate the Y’s community presence, strengthen operational performance, expand philanthropic investment, and tell a more powerful story of the Y’s role in improving lives across Decatur and Macon County.


The ideal leader will bring disciplined executive management, authentic relationship-building, and an entrepreneurial spirit to help the Decatur Family YMCA meet the evolving needs of its community. This is a moment for a leader who can honor the Y’s deep roots while bringing fresh energy, focus, and vision to its future.


ABOUT THE DECATUR FAMILY YMCA


For nearly 150 years, the Decatur Family YMCA has stood as one of Decatur and Macon County’s trusted anchors for youth development, healthy living, and community connection. Rooted in Christian principles and committed to building healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, the Y has earned a meaningful place in the lives of generations of children, families, adults, seniors, volunteers, donors, and community partners.


From its home at 220 W. McKinley Avenue, the Decatur Family YMCA serves as far more than a fitness facility. It is a place where children take their first swim lessons, young people find safe and enriching spaces before and after school, families access trusted childcare, adults pursue healthier lifestyles, seniors remain active and connected, and neighbors find encouragement, belonging, and support. Through preschool, school-age care, Camp Sokkia, aquatics and swim safety, health and wellness, senior wellness, personal training, evidence-based health programs, financial assistance, and community outreach, the Y responds to the evolving needs of the community while staying grounded in its mission.


The Y’s 2026 theme, “No Place Like This Place,” captures the spirit of an organization that is deeply personal to the community it serves. At its best, the Decatur Family YMCA is where programs become relationships, where participation becomes belonging, and where everyday experiences create lasting impact. As the organization looks ahead, it is positioned to build on that trust, sharpen its story, strengthen its reach, and continue serving as a vital community partner for Decatur and Macon County.


Our Mission
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.


Our Cause & Values
To strengthen the foundations of community and instill the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.


Our Culture:

• The Y Experience - The Y Experience is built from our mission and encompasses the values and philosophy by which we serve and operate
• Welcoming - We are open to all. We are a place where you can be yourself and find yourself in others.
• Genuine - We value you and embrace your individuality.
• Hopeful - We believe in you and your potential to do good in the world.
• Nurturing - We support you as you become the best-version-of-yourself.
• Determined - Above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you

Current Key Strategic Initiatives:

• Growth - expanding our reach, deepening engagement, and building partnerships to serve more individuals and families.
  Marketing - elevating the Y’s visibility through consistent messaging and meaningful community connection.
  Fundraising - ensuring long-term sustainability by strengthening donor relationships and expanding philanthropic support.

Membership:

• Total Members: 7,044 as of May 2026
• Total Membership Units: 3,930 as of May 2026

Branch Information:

• Decatur Family YMCA
• Camp Sokkia - summer day camp program.

Core Programs:

• Preschool and early childhood enrichment
• Before- and after-school care serving DPS 61, Meridian, and Maroa-Forsyth grade schools
• Camp Sokkia summer day camp
• Aquatics, swim lessons, water safety, and YDSC Gators swim team
• Health and wellness, group exercise, personal training, senior wellness, and small-group training
• Evidence-based health programs including LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, Pedaling for Parkinson’s, Memory Keeper’s Chorus, and arthritis/joint pain support
• Y Cares financial assistance, membership assistance, Backpack Attack, child watch, and community outreach

Annual Support Campaign:

Current Year Goal: $266,500 (2026 budgeted Y Campaign).
Prior Year’s Total: $191,665 (2025 Y Campaign actual).
Current Year’s Progress Toward Goal: $68,050 YTD as of June 2026.
Total number of people receiving financial assistance prior year: $111,000 awarded in membership financial assistance; $6,500 in program financial assistance; and $19,398 in child care financial assistance through Y Cares in 2025.

CEO Direct Reports:

• Director of Development
• Director of Finance
• Director of Human Resources
• Senior Child Care Director
• Director of Membership
• Director of Facilities
• Director of Health & Wellness
• Director of Aquatics
• Director of Youth & Family Programs
• Director of School Age Care & Camp
• Swim Team Head Coach
• Marketing Coordinator

Board of Directors: 15 members


Standing committees include:

• Community Engagement Committee
• Finance Committee
• Resource Development Committee

Financial Snapshot:

• Current Annual Budget Size: $3,924,949 revenue
• Current Debt: Debt as % of Net Assets: 14% as of March 2026 dashboard. End of March total debt = $890,821.
• End of May Debt as % of Net Assets = 13%. End of May Total Debt = $857,810.
• Current Endowment: $2,043,823 Busey Endowment Fund balance as of 1Q 2026.
• Last year operating net: ($77,971) for 2025.
• Previous year operating net: ($319,029) for 2024.
• Current year-to-date operating net: $12,211 as of March 2026.

ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY
Decatur and Macon County offer the next CEO a community defined by pride, partnership, resilience, and possibility. Located in the heart of Central Illinois, Decatur combines the accessibility and affordability of a mid-sized community with the assets, employers, institutions, and civic infrastructure that create meaningful opportunities for impact. The area offers affordable housing, family-friendly neighborhoods, parks and recreation, and convenient proximity to Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington-Normal, and key interstate transportation routes.


The region is supported by a diverse economic base that includes agribusiness and food processing, manufacturing, health care, logistics, education, and economic development. Major employers and community assets highlighted in the resource materials include Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Caterpillar, TCCI, Memorial Health, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Midwest Inland Port, the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County, Richland Community College, Millikin University, United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois, and a strong network of civic and philanthropic partners.


Life in Decatur is enriched by Lake Decatur, Scovill Zoo, golf courses, parks and trails, arts and civic events, the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, local schools and colleges, and a deep tradition of volunteerism and community engagement. For a CEO who wants to be visible, accessible, and meaningfully involved in the life of the community, Decatur offers a powerful setting for leadership. It is a place where relationships are personal, civic pride runs deep, and trusted institutions like the YMCA have an opportunity to bring people together, strengthen families, support health and well-being, and contribute to a stronger future for children, adults, and communities across Macon County.


Information Sites:
City of Decatur Illinois
Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce
Millikin University and Richland Community College
Memorial and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospitals
Decatur Public Schools District 61 ; Meridian ; Maroa-Forsyth


Qualifications

Criteria for Candidates:

• Accredited 4-year college degree and/or equivalent work experience.
• Fiscally sound business management approach with a proven track record of budgetary and fiscal management of approximately $4M or more annually.
• Minimum seven years prior experience in a senior management role with a YMCA or related experience at a comparable organization with direct supervision of multiple levels of staff and employees.
• Must be able to develop and strengthen community relationships across civic, business, education, health, nonprofit, philanthropic, and volunteer sectors.
• Have the ability to develop innovative programs, review and enhance programs being offered or considered for both economic viability and effectiveness in broadening engagement in the communities served.
• Strategic planning and fundraising experience, including annual campaigns, donor stewardship, grants, and partnership development.
• Proven ability to lead membership growth, program quality, marketing visibility, and customer/member experience improvements.
• A proven record of accomplishment of progressive budgetary leadership and advanced fiscal management practices.
• YMCA Organizational Leader Certification or ability to achieve within 3 years.

Essential Functions

KEY SKILLS AND ABILITIES OF OUR NEXT CEO


The board believes its new CEO should be an experienced leader who has the background and qualities that will permit him or her to achieve excellence in the following roles:


Develop and Implement a Strategic Plan: Work effectively with volunteers, community leaders, and key staff, to create and develop a strategic plan that addresses the needs of the communities served by the Y and includes defined organizational strategies, a clear implementation plan with deliverables, and measurable goals. Key competencies: Change Leadership, Communication & Influence, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Program/Project Management


Improve Operating Performance: Engage the board and appropriate staff to develop an annual tactical plan for identifying and achieving key goals and objectives towards operating with safe, relevant, and sustainable practices. Quickly address issues that may arise, forecast future needs, and manage and direct the Y’s operations and activities. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Innovation


Fiscal Management: Use high-level financial analysis to forecast financial trends, growth, and stability, while consistently leading the organization to balance or surplus operations by growing earned revenue and contributions and controlling costs. Empower and guide staff leaders to lead their departments to successful financial operation. Develop and implement stewardship strategies. Key competencies: Fiscal Management, Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Developing Self & Others, Philanthropy


Position the Y as a Vital Partner for Community Change: Serve as an ambassador for the mission, purpose, and vision for the YMCA within the community. Possess the ability to develop and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds, while always upholding the highest standards and values of the Y. Ensure your Y is seen as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose, and each other. Key competencies: Communication & Influence, Engaging Community, Collaboration


Steward Fundraising Efforts: Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan that will establish the YMCA as a leading nonprofit organization within the community through the engagement of members, volunteers, staff, and donors. Identify the need for successful capital fundraising, while taking the organization to a new level of effectiveness and impact in annual giving and endowment. Key competencies: Philanthropy, Engaging Community, Communication & Influence


Build and Lead Staff: Ensure a talent development system is in place and executed effectively with cultural competence. Hire, motivate, nurture, retain, and hold staff accountable for key objectives. Work towards recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting staff. Encourage the team by creating a spirit of camaraderie, connection, and sense of mission and purpose. Create a learning organization to help staff achieve their highest potential. Key competencies: Developing Self & Others, Inclusion, Emotional Maturity, Change Leadership


SALARY, BENEFITS, & CRITERIA

Salary Range: $110,000 - $135,000


Benefits:

• 9% YMCA Retirement contribution to 403(b) Savings Account once eligibility is met. 403(b) Savings Account and Roth option available.
• Health plan and employer/employee cost share is 90/10 for medical, dental is free for employee only, and a company-paid life insurance policy at 1x annual salary. Additionally, we offer employee-paid: Vision, Voluntary Life (Employee, Child, Spouse), Long-term Disability, Critical Illness, Flex Spend Account, and Dependent Care Savings Account.
• Paid Time Off (PTO), extended illness benefit, paid holidays, and other benefits per personnel policy.
• Free Family Goodheart Membership for all full-time staff and any staff with a tenure of 5 years or more.

Residency Expectation: Living in the YMCA’s service area is required.


SEARCH PROCESS TARGET DATES

• Resumes accepted through: July 27, 2026
• Preliminary interviews scheduled: September 14 & 15, 2026
• In-person interviews: October 8 & 9, 2026
• CEO selection made: October 2026
• New CEO on board (anticipated): November 2026
  *dates subject to change

HOW TO APPLY

References, Background Check, and Organizational Leader Certification:
Candidates must submit (pdf format only) the following in their online application: a resume, cover letter. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.


Candidates who advance to final interviews will need to submit six references (four professional and two personal). References checked only with prior notification. Successful candidate accepting the offer must pass a background check and must have a current Y-USA’s Organizational Leader Certification or obtain certification within the first three years from start date as the CEO. The YMCA's personnel policies may require further screening.


Candidates must apply through the YMCA of the USA career site:

QUESTIONS

About the Search Process?
Grace Matos, YMCA of the USA CEO Search, [email protected] , View phone number on click.appcast.io


About the YMCA?
Andy Thorton, CEO at the Illinois Alliance of YMCAs, [email protected] , View phone number on click.appcast.io


Ymca Careers
Similar Positions


President and CEO

YMCA of Douglas County

CEO

Owen County Family YMCA

President and CEO

Wyckoff Family YMCA Inc