Join the YMCA of DE Association Resource Center in Wilmington, DE to empower youth, foster healthy living, and promote strong communities.
Job Description
The Director of Philanthropy is a key leadership role at the YMCA of Delaware, responsible for leading the strategy, execution, and growth of the organization's Annual Giving program while strengthening fundraising capacity across branches. This role serves as the primary driver of Annual Giving planning, campaign execution, staff and volunteer readiness, and performing tracking. Working closely with the Chief of Development Officer, Community Executive Directors, and key stakeholders, the Director of Philanthropy ensures consistent, effective, and mission-aligned fundraising efforts across the Association.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Minimum of four years of progressive experience in fundraising, with a strong emphasis on Annual Giving, campaign execution, staff and volunteer training, and event-based fundraising.
- Experience working within complex, multi-site or matrixed organizations.
- Proficiency with fundraising and creative tools including Microsoft Office, Salesforce or comparable CRM systems, Classy or similar online giving platforms, Canva or similar creative tools, and data management and reporting systems.
Fundraising & Annual Giving Expertise
- Proven understanding of Annual Giving strategies, including campaign planning, donor stewardship, messaging, segmentation, and multi-channel engagement.
- Experience supporting donor retention, upgrades, and consistent campaign performance through strong systems and execution.
- Ability to translate fundraising strategy into clear plans, tools, and timelines that drive results across teams.
Leadership, Training & Influence
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence, coach, and align staff and volunteers without direct supervisory authority.
- Demonstrated success designing and facilitating training, workshops, and practical resources that build fundraising confidence and competence among staff and volunteers.
- Experience fostering shared accountability and a culture of philanthropy across diverse teams.
Project & Volunteer Management
- Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, deadlines, and stakeholders while maintaining attention to detail.
- Experience working collaboratively with volunteers, including recruiting, onboarding, coordinating, and supporting volunteer committees and fundraising initiatives.
Communication & Storytelling
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for a wide range of audiences, including senior leaders, board members, staff, volunteers, and donors.
- Experience developing donor-centered storytelling and campaign messaging that supports engagement, understanding, and giving.
- Comfortable presenting information, facilitating discussions, and responding to questions in group settings.
Mission Alignment
- A strong commitment to the mission, values, and impact of the YMCA and a passion for strengthening communities.
Preferred Qualifications
- YMCA Team Leader certification is highly desirable.
- Multi-lingual
Essential Functions
The Director of Philanthropy is an in-person, relationship-driven role, requiring regular presence at our YMCA of Delaware Association Resource Center, YMCA branches, and in the community. We also value flexibility and may support a limited hybrid schedule aligned with position demands and impact.
Annual Giving Strategy & Execution
- Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of the YMCA of Delaware’s Annual Giving strategy in partnership with the Chief Development Officer and branch leadership.
- Develop campaign frameworks, timelines, goals, tools, and best practices that support consistent execution across branches.
- Monitor campaign performance throughout the year, providing regular updates, insights, and recommendations to improve results.
Fundraising Capacity & Culture of Philanthropy
- Work collaboratively across the organization to embed a culture of philanthropy, ensuring staff and volunteers understand their role in donor engagement and fundraising.
- Support Community Executive Directors by strengthening systems and practices for donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Serve as a strategic partner and coach to branch leaders to increase confidence, consistency, and effectiveness in fundraising efforts.
Training & Volunteer Engagement
- Design and deliver training, workshops, and practical tools for Executive Directors, Business Managers, Program Staff, and Volunteers focused on fundraising fundamentals, relationship-building, and campaign readiness.
- Support the recruitment, onboarding, and engagement of volunteers who assist with Annual Giving and branch-based fundraising efforts.
- Develop resources that enable volunteers and staff to serve as effective ambassadors for the YMCA’s mission and impact.
Donor Engagement & Stewardship Systems
- Strengthen donor stewardship practices by developing clear standards, timelines, and tools for acknowledgment, recognition, and ongoing engagement.
- Partner with branch leaders and development staff to improve donor retention, upgrades, and overall donor experience.
- Support the design and execution of donor engagement opportunities tied to Annual Giving and branch initiatives.
Communication & Campaign Messaging
- Partner with internal teams to develop clear, compelling campaign messaging and donor-centered storytelling that highlights YMCA impact.
- Support branch fundraising efforts by identifying mission-centric stories, engagement opportunities, and donor communication strategies tied to Annual Giving.
- Contribute to donor-facing written and verbal communications aligned with YMCA values and campaign goals.
Technology, Data, & Reporting
- Leverage fundraising and creative tools including Classy, Salesforce or Traction Rec, iWave, MatchPro360, and Canva to support fundraising execution and donor engagement.
- Ensure accurate tracking, analysis, and reporting of Annual Giving performance across branches.
- Use data and insights to inform strategy, improve campaign effectiveness, and support decision-making by branch and association leadership.
Other Responsibilities
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Development Officer.
