Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations

Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations 

Full time, EXEMPT position; YMCA of Greater Nashua

Learn, Grow and Thrive with a Career at the Y

Imagine going to work knowing that what you do each day positively affects the lives of the people in your community. Working at the Y, you’ll discover more than a job—you’ll enjoy a career with a future and the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of those around you.

OUR Y AND OUR REGION

The YMCA of Greater Nashua is a well-respected association and a leader in the region. The city of Nashua, New Hampshire is situated 45 minutes from Boston and everything a major US city has to offer, less than an hour to the beautiful public beaches dotting the New Hampshire coastline and an hour to the White Mountains which offer many options for the outdoor enthusiast.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations is be responsible for leading, planning, and expanding the year-round annual giving program, donor recognition, online giving and data analysis of the Y. This individual will work in a team environment as part of a six member mission advancement team reporting to the Chief Mission Advancement Officer.  They will work closely with volunteers and other staff in their work to recruit, train and support staff and volunteers to aid them in fundraising efforts.  This person will be directly responsible for the staff, member and community divisions of the campaign. They will be responsible for managing and cultivating relationships with existing donors, as well as identifying new prospects. An ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate our organization’s mission is key. 

The position is based out of the YMCA of Greater Nashua’s Administration Office, but will be expected to spend a significant amount of time in the field with donors, volunteers, prospects and staff. This individual will be committed to advancing the mission and strategic goals of the Y by increasing contributed resources and creating a donor-centered culture throughout the association.  They will also ensure continued growth and help to establish the Y as a “Charity of Choice” in Greater Nashua.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. 
• Minimum of 2-3 years in fundraising experience including annual giving campaigns.
• Experience in working closely with volunteers and volunteer committees/events.
• Successful experience in personal solicitation of gifts. 
• Proven experience with donor relations (cultivating and stewardship) strategy
• Excellent writing, organizational and communication skills for appeals, reports, letters, proposals and personal solicitations and trainings.
• Strong computer skills and experience in managing CRMs, online giving, wealth management & other data platforms.
• Experience in researching, planning, organizing, and managing events.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team under pressure of tight deadlines and priorities. 
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop and implement a comprehensive donor recognition system 
• Establishing protocols for timely acknowledgments (within 48 hours of receipt)
• Creating appropriate public and private recognition opportunities
• Managing both automated and personalized acknowledgment processes
• Supporting branches in building their individual stewardship plans
• Oversee all donor database systems and information management
• Leading implementation and maintenance of the Fundraise platform
• Ensuring accurate and timely entry of all donations and pledges into Y operational software
• Managing data mining, analysis, and reporting functions
• Maintaining updated donor records and relationship tracking
• Campaign Strategy/Planning: Create and execute comprehensive annual campaign strategies that:
• Align with YUSA Annual Campaign structures and philosophies
• Incorporate multiple solicitation channels (personal, direct mail, electronic, etc.)
• Support branch-level campaign initiatives
• Focus on new donor acquisition and existing donor retention
• Include targeted monthly giving campaigns and regular appeals
• Gift Solicitation Goals: Meet ambitious fundraising targets 
• Raising $300,000 annually by end of third year through direct solicitation and branch support
• Securing an additional $100,000 in new/increased donations by August 31, 2027
• Growing donor portfolio by 20% annually
• Improving donor retention by minimum 5% per year
• Increasing giving level of 20% of returning donors annually
• Donor Communication/Materials: Develop and manage all donor communications 
• Creating compelling case statements and support materials
• Collaborating with CMAO and DMGPG on donor communications calendar
• Implementing direct mail and electronic appeal strategies
• Collecting and promoting impact stories across all platforms
• Supporting branch communication needs
• Coordinate all campaign-related events 
  • Annual Celebration
  • Campaign Kick-Off and Wrap-Up events
  • Program/site visits (minimum 12 annually)
  • Branch event support and guidance
  • Other special events as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

We provide our full-time staff with a comprehensive medical and dental plan as well as a generous paid time off plan to include sick, holidays and vacation time. We also provide a free YMCA Family Membership, a discount on classes and team sports and Y-funded retirement contributions after two years of qualified service.

OUR CULTURE: 

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. 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.

YMCA COMPETENCIES:

• Relationships: Builds rapport and relates well to others
• Inclusion: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions.
• Innovation: Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience.
• Quality Results: Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
• Self-Development: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance.