AVP of Development

YMCA of the USA; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of the USA in Orlando, Florida is seeking a strategic leader to enhance philanthropic efforts focused on major gifts. The successful candidate will cultivate and secure significant donations, develop personalized giving strategies, and maintain strong relationships with donors.

With a minimum of 5 years' experience in similar roles, candidates should possess strong communication and organizational skills. This position promotes a culture of philanthropy and requires collaboration with various stakeholders to achieve impactful philanthropic outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in major gifts and donor engagement.
• Ability to develop personalized giving strategies.
• Capable of leading teams without direct supervision.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major gift donors.
• Inspire donors through personalized engagement strategies.
• Collaborate to ensure donor contributions align with goals.

Skills

Relationship management

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Philanthropy expertise

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Job description

Help drive Central Florida philanthropic strategies to advance the mission of the YMCA while focusing on major gifts.

Job Description

The incumbent is a key strategic leader responsible for cultivating, securing, and stewarding significant philanthropic investments to advance the mission of the YMCA. This role ensures execution of leadership giving initiatives and will be focused on major gifts. Additionally, within the scope may include planned giving, and other high‑level corporate donor programs. This position works closely with the Chief Development Officer, volunteers, staff, and operation leadership teams to build meaningful relationships with donors, develop personalized giving strategies, and ensure sustainable growth in philanthropic support. This individual serves as a key ambassador for the YMCA, inspiring confidence and commitment among stakeholders to achieve transformational philanthropic impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Non‑profit management, philanthropy or related field required. Advanced degree or philanthropy credentials, a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $10,000 or more.
• Proven ability to lead through influence, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and inspire colleagues without direct supervision.
• Experience in developing and executing multi‑constituent programs, including strategy development, goal setting, and achievement.
• Exceptional communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to inspire trust and collaboration among internal and external stakeholders.
• Comprehensive experience in major gifts, planned giving, corporate giving, foundation grants, and special events.
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities under pressure.

Essential Functions

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of current and prospective major gift donors, focusing on gifts of $10,000 or more.
• Engage and inspire donors through personalized cultivation strategies, site visits, and stewardship activities.
• Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer and leadership teams to ensure donor intent and contributions align with organizational goals.
• Participate actively in all stages of the donor engagement cycle, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Author and prepare donor materials, including proposals, collateral, and impact reports.
• Support the development and implementation of a major gifts program for the Association, establishing benchmarks, research strategies, and stewardship plans.
• Collaborate with the Annual Giving Manager to ensure seamless donor management within the CRM system.
• Lead the solicitation and securing of special event sponsorships, including the YMCA Golf Tournament and Prayer Breakfast.
• Manage a small cultivation budget effectively and strategically.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the Annual Giving Manager, while offering training and support to staff and volunteers, cultivating a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
• Partner with board members and key volunteers to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership‑level donors.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations and stakeholders to advance the YMCA’s philanthropic mission.
• Oversee project management across multiple sites, supporting team leaders with varying levels of experience.
• Develop and execute strategies to enhance donor stewardship, including program impact reporting, introductions to program leaders, and ongoing engagement initiatives.
• Report all accidents/incidents to your supervisor and follow the Association’s current employee and member injury reporting procedures.
• All other duties as assigned by management.