What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Annual Giving position at YMCA of the USA?
Job Description
Position Summary
Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Development, the Director of Annual Giving leads initiatives to increase donor participation and engagement in support of the Madison Area YMCA’s Annual Campaign. This role is responsible for developing and executing campaigns and events that highlight the organization’s mission, with the goal of expanding the donor base and raising awareness of our impact in the community.
Through personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts, the Director of Annual Giving builds meaningful relationships with local individuals and families. The role strengthens donor engagement by connecting supporters with events and volunteer opportunities that deepen their connection to our cause.
Additionally, the Director plans and manages select strategic special events, collaborating directly with staff, Board members, leadership volunteers, top-level donors, community members, and other key stakeholders. The position requires a high level of confidentiality, discretion, teamwork, and collaboration.
Qualifications
Spends approximately 40–50% of time engaging with current donors and prospects, championing the Madison Area YMCA’s mission, encouraging giving, reporting on impact, and connecting constituents with volunteer and event opportunities.
Solicits annual giving prospects for first-time donations, renewals, and increased contributions. Provides personalized stewardship throughout the year to strengthen donor retention.
Leads the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of high-impact fundraising events that inspire donor engagement, elevate organizational visibility, and generate significant philanthropic support.
Partners with the Development Operations Manager to implement a comprehensive moves management system for gifts under $1,000, including identifying new annual giving prospects. Builds the pipeline to major gifts by cultivating and introducing leadership-level donors to the Senior Director of Development, President and CEO, and Board members.
Oversees volunteer committees and fundraising activities, including recruitment, recognition, and ongoing engagement.
Trains membership and program staff to confidently communicate the YMCA’s mission and impact during tours and daily member interactions.
Leads the Staff Campaign in collaboration with staff volunteers and HR, developing and executing strategic activities to educate staff about the YMCA’s impact and maximize staff participation in annual giving.
Collaborates with the Director of Strategic Communications and cross-departmental colleagues to amplify the case for support and ensure impact stories are shared effectively—both personally and broadly—within the community.
Partners with competitive teams and affinity groups to foster cultures of philanthropy through targeted communications and active participation in campaign activities.
Serves as a visible philanthropic ambassador at the Family Center, FM Kirby Center, and throughout the community, maintaining a consistent front-facing presence.
Child Protection
YMCA Leadership Competencies: Team Leader
Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fundraising.
Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, and support.
Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.
Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change, and models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
Position Summary
Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Development, the Director of Annual Giving leads initiatives to increase donor participation and engagement in support of the Madison Area YMCA’s Annual Campaign. This role is responsible for developing and executing campaigns and events that highlight the organization’s mission, with the goal of expanding the donor base and raising awareness of our impact in the community.
Through personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts, the Director of Annual Giving builds meaningful relationships with local individuals and families. The role strengthens donor engagement by connecting supporters with events and volunteer opportunities that deepen their connection to our cause.
Additionally, the Director plans and manages select strategic special events, collaborating directly with staff, Board members, leadership volunteers, top-level donors, community members, and other key stakeholders. The position requires a high level of confidentiality, discretion, teamwork, and collaboration.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent experience.
- Three or more years of fundraising communications and relationship-building experience.
- Knowledge of the YMCA’s position in the community. Previous non-profit experience is a plus.
- Ability to work appropriately and effectively with a variety of important and high-level constituents. Maturity, judgment, diplomacy, and discretion are required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write reports, letters, and business correspondence.
- Competent with numbers, basic math, cash handling, and entry-level bookkeeping practices.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiar with internet navigation, research, and online giving.
- Detail-oriented with a strong work ethic and integrity.
- Ability to prioritize competing demands. Flexibility and adaptability required.
- Models relationship-building skills in all interactions.
Spends approximately 40–50% of time engaging with current donors and prospects, championing the Madison Area YMCA’s mission, encouraging giving, reporting on impact, and connecting constituents with volunteer and event opportunities.
Solicits annual giving prospects for first-time donations, renewals, and increased contributions. Provides personalized stewardship throughout the year to strengthen donor retention.
Leads the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of high-impact fundraising events that inspire donor engagement, elevate organizational visibility, and generate significant philanthropic support.
Partners with the Development Operations Manager to implement a comprehensive moves management system for gifts under $1,000, including identifying new annual giving prospects. Builds the pipeline to major gifts by cultivating and introducing leadership-level donors to the Senior Director of Development, President and CEO, and Board members.
Oversees volunteer committees and fundraising activities, including recruitment, recognition, and ongoing engagement.
Trains membership and program staff to confidently communicate the YMCA’s mission and impact during tours and daily member interactions.
Leads the Staff Campaign in collaboration with staff volunteers and HR, developing and executing strategic activities to educate staff about the YMCA’s impact and maximize staff participation in annual giving.
Collaborates with the Director of Strategic Communications and cross-departmental colleagues to amplify the case for support and ensure impact stories are shared effectively—both personally and broadly—within the community.
Partners with competitive teams and affinity groups to foster cultures of philanthropy through targeted communications and active participation in campaign activities.
Serves as a visible philanthropic ambassador at the Family Center, FM Kirby Center, and throughout the community, maintaining a consistent front-facing presence.
Child Protection
- Adhere to policies related to boundaries with youth.
- Attend required abuse risk management training.
- Adhere to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising youth.
- Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
- Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.
YMCA Leadership Competencies: Team Leader
Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fundraising.
Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, and support.
Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.
Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change, and models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.