Executive Director Of Development

McGaw YMCA is seeking an Executive Director of Development to help shape the future of community impact in Evanston.

Job Description

Reporting directly to the President & CEO and serving as a member of the leadership team, this position provides vision, leadership, and direction for all fundraising activities, including annual giving, major gifts, grants, special events, donor stewardship, corporate and foundation relations, and future campaign initiatives.


This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative leader who is passionate about building relationships, inspiring generosity, and strengthening a culture of philanthropy across the organization.


At McGaw YMCA, we believe community is built through relationships, opportunity, and belonging. Every day, people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences come together to learn, grow, connect, and thrive. We are looking for a leader who shares that belief and is excited to help advance our mission and expand our impact throughout the community.


If you are an accomplished fundraiser, community connector, and strategic leader who thrives on building meaningful partnerships and helping others invest in lasting impact, we invite you to explore this opportunity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred.
  
  
• Seven or more years of progressive fundraising leadership experience with demonstrated success in major gifts, donor engagement, annual giving, campaign fundraising, corporate partnerships, or institutional giving.
  
  
• Demonstrated success securing, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major philanthropic investments.
  
  
• Strong executive presence, strategic thinking, and exceptional relationship-building skills.
  
  
• Experience managing, mentoring, and developing staff and volunteer leaders.
  
  
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership, board members, donors, community leaders, and volunteers.
  
  
• Experience with fundraising CRM systems; Raiser's Edge preferred.
  
  
• CFRE certification preferred.
  
  

Essential Functions

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals and mission priorities.
  
  
• Lead philanthropic revenue generation across major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, planned giving, and capital campaigns.
  
  
• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors, prospects, and community partners; cultivate, solicit, and steward transformational gifts.
  
  
• Design and implement donor engagement strategies that strengthen relationships, increase giving, and enhance donor retention.
  
  
• Partner with executive leadership, board members, and volunteers to support fundraising and donor cultivation efforts.
  
  
• Build and maintain strategic corporate, civic, and community partnerships to expand philanthropic support, visibility, and community impact.
  
  
• Serve as a key ambassador for the organization, fostering relationships with donors, business leaders, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
  
  
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Development team while promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  
  
• Oversee development operations, including budgeting, forecasting, performance reporting, donor stewardship, and fundraising systems.
  
  
• Collaborate across departments to align fundraising initiatives with organizational objectives and community needs.
  
  
• Contribute to organizational leadership, strategic planning, and decision-making as a member of the executive leadership team.
  
  
• Champion the organization's mission, values, and commitment to community impact through internal and external engagement.
  
  

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