Director of Annual Giving

AFP East Central Illinois Chapter; Bloomington (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bloomington-Normal YMCA seeks a Director of Annual Giving to lead the annual fundraising strategy, grow donor support, and strengthen stewardship across the organization. You will partner with the CEO, marketing leadership, and the development team to diversify funding for programs and services that expand access and impact in the community.

Responsibilities include planning campaigns, managing a donor pipeline, and engaging volunteers, staff, and board members in fundraising while ensuring

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years nonprofit fundraising experience, with annual giving success.
• Experience building and growing an annual donor base (individual, corporate).
• Strong relationship-building, donor cultivation, and solicitation skills.
• Proficiency with CRM and donor database systems; data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the YMCA's annual giving strategy, including campaigns and donor programs.
• Create and manage the annual giving calendar with timelines and revenue goals.
• Set measurable fundraising goals and track progress with regular reporting.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward annual donors, building a donor pipeline.
• Engage board members and volunteers in annual giving efforts.
• Collaborate with marketing, program staff and leadership to tell impact stories.

Skills

Donor cultivation

Stewardship & retention

Campaign management

CRM/databases

Job description

TheDirector of Annual Giving leads the Bloomington-Normal YMCA’s annual fundraising strategy, building a sustainable, relationship-based culture of philanthropy that supports the Y's mission and community impact. This role is responsible for planning and executing the annual giving campaign, growing individual and corporate donor support, strengthening donor stewardship and retention, and engaging staff, volunteers, and board members as active partners in fundraising. The position works closely with the CEO, Sr. Director of Marketing and Brand Management, and development team to build a strong, diversified base of annual support that fuels program access, financial assistance, and community initiatives across the association.

YMCA Mission and Core Values

The mission of the YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice through programs, services, and relationships that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The Core Values of the YMCA are Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. At the Bloomington-Normal YMCA we are a team of employees dedicated to advancing the mission and values of the YMCA through service and support of all members in our unique community.

Our Culture

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become.We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality.We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world.We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential.We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

Mission Advancement

Accepts and demonstrates the Ys values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fundraising.

Collaboration

Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Relationships

Builds authentic relationships in the service of enhancing individual and team performance to support the Y’s work.

Communication

Listens and expresses self effectively and in a manner that reflects a true understanding of the needs of the audience.

Requirements

• Develop and lead the YMCA's annual giving strategy, including the yearly Annual Strong Kids Campaign, workplace/employee giving, and direct mail and digital appeals.
• Create and manage the annual giving calendar, ensuring clear priorities, timelines, and revenue goals across all branches.
• Set measurable fundraising goals and track progress through consistent reporting and analysis.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward annual donors, building and actively managing a donor pipeline.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Implement a structured stewardship plan that ensures timely acknowledgment, consistent engagement, and meaningful recognition of donors.
• Use the CRM to track donor activity, monitor campaign performance, and identify upgrade and major gift potential within the annual donor pool.
• Segment and personalize donor communications to strengthen retention and grow average gift size.
• Partner with the CEO to identify annual donors with capacity for major or planned gifts.
• Partner with the CEO to engage board members and volunteer campaign leadership in annual giving efforts.
• Recruit, train, and support volunteer solicitors and campaign cabinet members.
• Support board members in fulfilling their role as ambassadors and fundraisers for the YMCA.
• Provide leadership and administrative support to the Fund Development Committee.

Collaboration & Culture of Philanthropy

• Collaborate with marketing and communications staff to ensure campaign materials, appeals, and donor communications align with fundraising goals.
• Champion a culture of philanthropy across the organization, helping staff at all levels understand their role in donor engagement and storytelling.
• Partner with program and branch leaders to identify impact stories, program outcomes, and donor engagement opportunities.
• Represent the YMCA in community, donor, and campaign-related settings and events.

Administration & Compliance

• Ensure accurate gift processing, donor acknowledgment, and reporting in compliance with YMCA policies and standards.
• Maintain integrity and confidentiality in all donor and organizational information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Office environment with a mix of independent and collaborative work.
• Regular interaction with donors, volunteers, community partners, board members, and staff.
• Frequent communication through phone, email, meetings, presentations, and in-person engagement.
• May attend occasional evening and weekend events, donor meetings, and fundraising activities.
• May travel locally to meet with donors and represent the organization in the community.
• Fast-paced environment with multiple fundraising initiatives, projects, and deadlines.
• Increased workload may occur around annual campaigns, special events, and year-end giving periods.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Ability to effectively work/interact with diverse populations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including donor correspondence and campaign materials.
• Ability to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Computer literacy including knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Excel, Word, Google/Outlook and database management.
• Self-efficient time management.
• Ability to successfully obtain certification in CPR/AED and First Aid.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license.
• Ability to travel to/from off campus sites.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in annual giving, direct response, peer-to-peer, and individual donor campaigns.
• Experience building or growing an annual donor base, including individual, corporate, and employee giving programs.
• Strong relationship-building, donor cultivation, and solicitation skills.
• Proven ability to plan strategically and execute with accountability against revenue goals.
• Experience engaging board members, volunteers, and staff in fundraising efforts.
• Proficiency with CRM and donor database systems, and comfort using data to guide strategy.
• Possession of Spanish language both written and spoken.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND REQUIRED TRAININGS & CERTIFICATIONS

The Bloomington-Normal YMCA adheres to the strictest regulations pertaining to Child Abuse Prevention and requires all staff and volunteers to complete Child Abuse Prevention Training at time of hire and on an annual basis. Other required trainings and certifications, provided by the YMCA during on-boarding or within the first 60 days of employment, include: Illinois Mandated Reporter Certification, Illinois Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Training, CPR/AED/First Aid certification, and OSHA training including Bloodborne Pathogens.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Bloomington-Normal YMCA is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

$52,000 - $63,000, full-time exempt with benefits.