Director of Development: Leadership Giving and Corporate Partnerships

Reports to: Vice President of Development | Position Type: Full-Time | Work Location: On-Site

About the Role

The South Shore YMCA is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven fundraising professional to grow leadership giving, strengthen corporate partnerships, and advance philanthropic support for our mission. The Director of Development – Leadership Giving and Corporate Partnerships will build and steward meaningful relationships with donors, businesses, and community partners while identifying new opportunities to support the YMCA’s strategic priorities. This role will also play a key part in positioning the organization for future growth, including a comprehensive capital campaign. Working closely with the Vice President of Development, Board members, senior leadership, and the Development team, the Director will help transform strong relationships into sustained philanthropic support for the YMCA. This is a unique opportunity to deepen connections and partnerships within a vibrant YMCA community known for its collaboration, supportive culture, and continued success helping strengthen programs and expand the organization’s impact across the South Shore.

Responsibilities

• Leadership Giving
  • Develop and execute strategies to increase leadership-level philanthropic support.
  • Build and manage a strong pipeline of prospective leadership donors.
  • Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals with the interest and capacity to support YMCA priorities.
  • Partner with the Vice President of Development on major donor strategy and solicitation efforts.
  • Support planning and readiness for a future comprehensive campaign.
• Prospect Strategy and Pipeline Development
  • Research prospective donors and identify new opportunities for philanthropic engagement.
  • Develop and maintain strategic cultivation plans for donors and prospects.
  • Lead Moves Management system efforts by tracking engagement, progress, and next steps.
  • Collaborate with Development team members to coordinate donor outreach and relationship strategies.
• Donor Engagement and Stewardship
  • Create meaningful engagement opportunities that connect donors to the YMCA’s mission and impact.
  • Plan and execute donor cultivation and stewardship experiences, including:
    • Summer Social
    • President’s Club events, including at the Taste of the South Shore
    • Holiday gatherings
    • Additional donor engagement opportunities
  • Partner with organizational leadership and volunteers to strengthen donor relationships.
• Corporate Partnerships
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive corporate philanthropy strategy.
  • Identify, cultivate, and steward corporate partners.
  • Increase corporate support through sponsorships, employee engagement, workplace giving, and strategic partnerships.
  • Lead corporate sponsorship efforts for fundraising events.
  • Create opportunities for corporate volunteerism and community engagement.
• Relationship and Portfolio Management
  • Manage an active portfolio of leadership donors, prospects, and corporate partners.
  • Conduct donor visits, solicitations, stewardship meetings, and other relationship-building activities.
  • Maintain accurate records of donor activity, progress, and next steps in the YMCA’s donor management system.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 1-3 years of successful fundraising experience, preferably in major gifts, leadership giving, corporate philanthropy, or relationship-based fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and solicit individual and corporate donors.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Experience managing donor portfolios and Moves Management system strategies.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with senior leadership, Board members, volunteers, and community partners.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events.
• Commitment to the YMCA’s mission and values.

Benefits

• Retirement plan with a 12% employer contribution once vested
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation and sick time through the YMCA’s standard accrual policy
• Paid holidays
• Free YMCA family membership
• Discounts on childcare, camp, and other YMCA programs