Job Openings >> Major Gift Officer
Major Gift Officer
Summary
Title:Major Gift Officer
ID:1054
Organization:The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Location:Chicago, IL
Description
YMCA of Metropolitan ChicagoYMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

Major Gift Officer
Opportunity Guide

 
http://www.ymcachicago.org/
 
 
The mission of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is to develop strong children, families and communities across Metropolitan Chicago through academic readiness, character development, violence prevention, fitness and healthy living.
 
With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is dedicated to putting this mission into action, strengthening communities by ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.  To achieve this, the Y adopted a bold Strategic Plan that positioned its twenty-three centers, five camps and hundreds of extension sites to meet the changing needs of the more than 200,000 members and nearly 70,000 children it serves every year. The Y’s annual budget is over $85 million, and a key strategic goal of the organization is to expand the percentage of philanthropy that makes up the current annual budget.
 
In 2013, the YMCA of Metro Chicago changed its mission to reflect the far-reaching impact of its programs and services in building stronger and healthier communities. YMCA Leadership envisions more vibrant and compassionate neighborhoods where the Y is seen as an essential leader in making our city a world-class place to live and raise a family.  Four anchors of the mission guide all strategies and activities, and guide the work of the Mission Advancement team:
  • Academics readiness
  • Character development
  • Violence prevention
  • Fitness and healthy living
 
As one of the largest human service providers in northeast Illinois in these areas, the Y seeks to engage and involve investors in these mission areas.  It puts the Mission in Action in neighborhoods across Chicagoland, having the presence and partnerships to not just promise, but deliver, positive change.  It does so via these principles:
  • The Y is community centered. For more than 150 years, we've been listening and responding to our communities.
  • The Y brings people together. We connect people of all ages and backgrounds to bridge the gaps in community needs.
  • The Y nurtures potential. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
  • The Y mobilizes local communities to effect lasting, meaningful change.
 
This mission is delivered through 23 Centers, 5 Resident Camps, 13 Early Education and Care Programs, 15 Community Schools, 4 Regional Housing Centers and 6 Senior Housing Centers.  By commitment to outcomes and impact, the Y has also invested in a Learning and Evaluation team that helps provide data and metrics to substantiate the Case for Support.   
 
Founded in 1858 by a group of dedicated Chicagoans, the Y has long established itself as a vital part of the Metropolitan Chicago community.  In 2008, the YMCA of Metro Chicago celebrated its 150th anniversary. This milestone is a testament to the millions of lives the Y has touched. The Metro Y continues to expand and evolve towards the betterment of people at all stages of their lives through its breadth of programs, from swimming lessons to gang intervention, mentoring and family programming to prenatal care and elderly support. The Y continues to change and grow and will move in 2015 to a transformational new headquarters at 1030 W. Van Buren in Chicago from its current location on Chicago’s Gold Coast.  The new headquarters will provide opportunities to showcase our mission in action, enable rich employee development, and serve as a resource for the non-profit community in Chicagoland. The Y is currently engaged in a feasibility study in preparation for the advanced gift stage of the “1030 Campaign.”  As one of the largest cause-driven organizations in Chicago, the YMCA continues to be a leader in making Chicagoland a world-class place to live and raise a family. 
 
 
The Opportunity:  Major Gift Officer
 
As a key member of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Mission Advancement team, and reporting to the Senior Vice President of Mission Advancement, the Major Gift Officer will be responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of donors and prospects, with a goal of increasing engagement in our mission and driving philanthropic support of the YMCA’s mission.   
 
The Major Gift Officer will interface, collaborate, and build vital relationships with the community’s leaders, individuals and networks who could be instrumental in funding the Y’s strategic objectives and enhancing the mission and impact of the YMCA in the community. 
 
This position will be filled by an experienced, energetic and dynamic fundraiser with a strong passion for and commitment to the mission of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.  In this role, the Major Gift Officer will identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift donors and prospects, acting as the primary contact between the Y and the assigned donor portfolio, with an emphasis on securing unrestricted gifts of $10,000 and above. The Major Gift Officer will be a strategic thinker who, in coordination with colleagues, will develop unique strategies for engagement for each donor for whom they are the assigned primary staff manager. Also, he/she with assist local centers and their boards with major gift solicitation at the $5,000 level and above. The Major Gift Officer will strengthen opportunities for engagement from these local board members as donors or connectors in the community.
 
The ideal candidate will be familiar with the philanthropic climate in Chicago (or be familiar with similar communities and can immerse and engage quickly) and will have previous work experience managing a portfolio comprised of high net worth individuals at a complex organization with multiple sites and programs.
 
This is a newly created role, in a repositioned structure, designed to ensure resources and focus are directed at donor identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.  Another senior leader position, a Director of Development, is also being recruited to fill a tremendous need in the repositioned structure.
 
Performance Objectives
 
Major Gift and Donor Management
  • Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major and leadership donors for YMCA funding priorities
  • Determine the best person/team to manage individual engagement.  Serve as a lead, or drive other stakeholders’ activities as will best serve and advance individuals’ relationships with the YMCA.  This individual will travel as necessary, establishing and maintaining excellent donor relations, providing written proposals to major gift prospects as needed, and including YMCA colleagues and/or volunteer leadership as appropriate
  • Cultivate long-term relationships to encourage continued and increased funding and to broaden and deepen relationships with funders
  • Nurture partnerships and relationships with current and prospective funders through donor recognition programs and stewardship, including stewardship events
 
Fundraising Management
  • Work in collaboration with Program Strategy, Finance, Mission Advancement, Community Operations and other teams to develop a portfolio of giving opportunities (cases for support) that documents funding needs in terms of real program costs, how dollars impact people, actual or potential outcomes , shortfalls and exciting mission advancement opportunities;
  • Crafts effective narratives based on target audience and presents opportunities to donors to effectively match donor interests with YMCA service delivery advancement needs
  • Conduct research on current and prospective donors and record data in Raiser’s Edge as part of the individual’s donor record.
  • Keep management apprised of all significant interactions, inputting contact reports to the Raiser’s Edge database system as required, sharing a continually updated itinerary, fulfilling all monthly activity and other reporting requirements, and consulting with leadership when necessary to understand organizational priorities, to develop strategies that benefit both donor and the Y, and to troubleshoot challenging situations
  • Manage all office systems related to major gift duties, including maintaining updated Raiser’s Edge donor files, tracking spreadsheets, correspondence and gift acknowledgments, etc., in keeping with department policies and procedures 
  • Document all donor interactions through Raiser’s Edge and according to best practices;  carry out any office and computer-related tasks important to fulfilling the goals of the position
 
External and Board Relations
  • Maintain active membership and a strong presence in professional organizations, community groups, and other spaces relevant to the work of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and its mission
  • Work with and provide training for the Y’s Board and senior leadership team to enhance major gift fundraising activities, an overall culture of philanthropy, and to solicit and close major gifts 
  • Create and implement a plan to identify and build strong relationships with key donors, community leaders and volunteers, and engage organizations with which the YMCA could partner
 
The Qualified Candidate
 
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago seeks an innovative, entrepreneurial fundraising professional with at least 5-7 years of experience in Development, including progressive, demonstrated experience in securing major gifts from individuals at the $10,000 level or above. 
 
S/he will have a demonstrated track record of successfully closing personal solicitations and working successfully with Boards and Committees on peer to peer solicitation strategy and implementation.  S/he will be a high-energy leader who can drive engagement and is passionate and committed to the full mission and vision of the YMCA.  Knowledge of the Chicago philanthropic community is highly preferred.
 
Specific Requirements Include:
 
  • A minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in Development with a minimum of two or more years of experience focused on in Individual Giving/Major Gifts.  
  • Demonstrated passion and commitment to the mission of the YMCA of Metro Chicago
  • Proven ability to identify and build strong external relationships with a variety of volunteers, public leadership, partner organizations and other stakeholders
  • Track record of success in meeting and exceeding fundraising goals, including demonstrated experience with securing major, high value gifts from individuals
  • Track record in developing and implementing targeted fundraising strategies to successfully increase revenue
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate internally and externally to facilitate leadership and support for major fund raising initiatives and events
  • Strong analytic and strategic-thinking skills, with demonstrated ability to create, implement and monitor complex plans, and translate those plans into goals and concrete strategies
  • Demonstrated capacity to develop and nurture long-term relationships between organizations and donors culminating in success of mission advancement goals.
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and presentation skills, with the ability to serve as an advocate/spokesperson for the organization and successfully tailor communications to audiences.
  • Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to accept feedback and provide coaching and support to others in order to ensure the fulfillment of the Y’s mission
  • Ability to creatively solve problems and overcome obstacles to success
  • Proficient in the use Microsoft Office Suite products; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or similar donor constituent software is required.
  • A Bachelor’s degree is required or equivalent experience. CFRE or other relevant advanced certification or education is preferred.
 
 
This position offers a competitive salary with highly competitive benefits. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. 
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and each of its locations is committed to equality of opportunity in its recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, training and other employment practices. We do not engage in discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 
 
To Apply
 
This search is being managed by Kelly C. Monahan, Senior Associate and Laura Weinman, Senior Consultant of Alford Executive Search, a division of KEES.  Questions may be addressed to kmonahan@alfordexecutivesearch.com
 
To apply, candidates should submit their cover letter and resume at https://alfordexecutivesearch.applicantstack.com/x/openings.  To assure confidential tracking of interested candidates, no resumes will be accepted via email.
 
Alford Executive Search (www.alfordexecutivesearch.com), a division of KEES:  Kistner Eddy Executive Services, is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the not-for-profit community through professional staffing solutions.
 
This opening is closed and is no longer accepting applications
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