Job Abstract

Serves as a member of the Philanthropy Team with primary responsibility for leading community focused fundraising efforts and supporting the organizations philanthropic growth for YMCA International Services. The Director of Development will secure financial support, network and build community awareness, as well as cultivate and steward donor relationships. The process of identifying, qualifying and educating new prospects to sustain and expand the philanthropic support for YMCA International Services programs and impact, as well as for the Alief Family YMCA will be a primary focus for this position.

YMCA International Services was founded in 1978 to provide client-centered programs to refugees, immigrants and other vulnerable populations in the Houston area. As the years have gone by, client demographics may have changed but one thing has stayed the same; the YMCA is still providing support for refugees, immigrants and vulnerable populations in the Houston and surrounding areas.

Essential Functions:

1. Functions as a key member of the philanthropy team to elevate a donor-driven philanthropy model.
2. Conducts donor and prospect identification, education, cultivation, and solicitation to grow a portfolio of donors and increase awareness of the programs and impact of the YMCA International Services in the community.
3. Works a portfolio of 80-120 donor/prospect relationships for funding annual programs, special initiatives, capital and special events. Goal will be to raise $1-2 MM for International Services in 2025.
4. Maintains gift and prospect records, including accurate reports of all donor/prospect meetings, donor/prospect information, and moves within the donor management system (Blackbaud NXT).
5. Clearly communicates the YMCA case for support to all current and prospective donors.
6. Networks and develops relationships within targeted communities to broaden the reach and awareness of YMCA International Services.
7. Cultivates and maintains relationships with partner organizations to create joint funding requests where and when applicable and appropriate.
8. Represents the Association within community collaborations as required.
9. Works with the staff leadership and volunteer leadership (advisory board members) on fundraising efforts.

YMCA Culture & Cause Expectations

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. Its who are, who we aspire to be and how we show up every day. We are cause-driven. We dont just show up, we show up with purpose. As a cause driven leader you are expected to be:

Welcoming-Accept neighbors eagerly, warmly, hospitably, and as equal participants.

Nurturing-To care for, support, and help develop through encouragement.

Hopeful-Take an optimistic or positive view of future outcomes.

Determined-To devote full strength and concentrated attention to the cause.

GenuineTo be honest and open in relationships with others.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. A Bachelors degree in a related field or equivalent;
2. Five or more years of professional experience with fund raising including annual campaigns, major gifts and capital.
3. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal.
4. Ability to establish and maintain collaborations within a community as well as relate well to community leaders.
5. Previous experience with working with diverse populations.
6. Ability to multi-task and problemsolve.
7. Demonstrated fund raising strategy development.
8. Working knowledge of giving and charitable vehicles.
9. Ability to maintain confidential information.
10. Strong organizational, planning, project management, and time management skills.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

COMPUTER LITERACY

Skills are essential in all of the Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to use these programs to lighten work load, develop reports and to automate procedures is very necessary. Ability to diagnose basic PC problems and to communicate those problems is very important. Ability to use Blackbaud NXT donor database management system, training is available.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

TRAVEL

Travel is primarily local between assigned centers during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.

The YMCA of Greater Houston provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.