Job DescriptionDirector of DevelopmentNorthwestern Connecticut YMCA
Position Title: Director of Development
Reports To: President and Chief Executive Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: Northwestern Connecticut YMCA Association
Service Area: Torrington, Winsted, Canaan, CAMP M.O.E., Torrington Youth Service Bureau, Winchester Youth Service Bureau, and related community health and wellness programs
Position Summary
The Northwestern Connecticut YMCA is seeking a mission-driven, relationship-focused, and highly motivated Director of Development to lead and grow the organization’s philanthropic efforts. This position plays a vital role in advancing the YMCA’s mission, strengthening donor relationships, increasing charitable support, and helping ensure the long-term sustainability of YMCA programs and services throughout Northwest Connecticut.
The Director of Development will work closely with the President and Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, staff leadership, volunteers, donors, community partners, businesses, foundations, and public stakeholders to build a strong culture of philanthropy across the association.
The Northwestern Connecticut YMCA is more than a fitness facility. It is a trusted community institution dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Through branch locations in Torrington, Winsted, and Canaan, the YMCA provides safe spaces, wellness opportunities, youth programs, family support, camp experiences, prevention services, and community-based health initiatives. The YMCA also proudly operates CAMP M.O.E., the Torrington Youth Service Bureau, the Winchester Youth Service Bureau, and numerous programs that improve lives, strengthen families, and build healthier communities.
The Director of Development will help tell this powerful story and inspire others to invest in the YMCA’s impact.
Mission of the Northwestern Connecticut YMCA
The Northwestern Connecticut YMCA’s mission is to build a healthy, spirit, mind, and body in children and adults, through programs that foster caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
The YMCA welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and income levels. Through programs, services, partnerships, and charitable support, the YMCA works to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, thrive, and belong.
The Director of Development must be a strong ambassador for this mission and demonstrate a sincere commitment to serving the communities of Northwest Connecticut.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising and Philanthropy
· Lead, manage, and grow the YMCA’s annual fundraising efforts.
· Develop and implement a comprehensive development plan that supports annual operations, program expansion, capital needs, scholarships, and long-term sustainability.
· Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, major gift prospects, businesses, foundations, civic organizations, and community partners.
· Work with the President and CEO to develop strategies for major gifts, planned giving, capital campaigns, sponsorships, grants, and legacy giving.
· Support board members and volunteers in their role as philanthropic ambassadors.
· Strengthen donor retention through consistent communication, recognition, and stewardship.
· Create meaningful opportunities for donors to understand the YMCA’s impact.
Donor Relations and Stewardship
· Build authentic, long-term relationships with donors, members, alumni, community leaders, and friends of the YMCA.
· Maintain regular communication with current and prospective donors.
· Ensure donors are properly thanked, recognized, and informed about the impact of their giving.
· Develop donor recognition programs, impact reports, appreciation events, and personal outreach strategies.
· Promote a culture where every donor feels valued and connected to the YMCA’s mission.
Grant Writing and Foundation Relations
· Research and identify grant opportunities that align with the YMCA’s mission and programs.
· Prepare, submit, and track grant applications, letters of inquiry, proposals, reports, and supporting materials.
· Work with program staff to collect data, outcomes, narratives, budgets, and documentation needed for grant submissions.
· Build and maintain relationships with private foundations, corporate foundations, government funders, and charitable organizations.
· Ensure grant reporting requirements are completed accurately and on time.
Community Engagement and Partnerships
· Represent the Northwestern Connecticut YMCA in the community with professionalism, enthusiasm, and integrity.
· Strengthen relationships with local businesses, civic groups, schools, municipalities, healthcare partners, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders.
· Promote the YMCA’s positive role in addressing community needs, including youth development, wellness, prevention, family support, camp access, social connection, and healthy living.
· Identify new partnership opportunities that support the YMCA’s mission and expand its reach.
· Serve as a visible and positive advocate for the YMCA throughout Northwest Connecticut.
Communications and Storytelling
· Help communicate the YMCA’s mission, impact, and community value through compelling stories, donor appeals, newsletters, social media content, presentations, campaign materials, and reports.
· Work with leadership and staff to collect stories that highlight the impact of YMCA programs, including membership, youth services, CAMP M.O.E., health programs, and family support services.
· Develop clear and inspiring fundraising messages that connect donors to real community needs.
· Support marketing and public relations efforts related to philanthropy, donor engagement, events, and community impact.
Events and Campaigns
· Plan and support fundraising events, donor appreciation events, community engagement events, and campaign activities.
· Work with volunteers, staff, sponsors, and vendors to ensure events are well-organized, mission-focused, and financially successful.
· Evaluate event outcomes and identify opportunities for improvement.
· Use events as opportunities to build relationships, deepen community awareness, and inspire continued support.
Database, Reporting, and Accountability
· Maintain accurate donor records, gift histories, pledges, sponsorships, grant deadlines, and contact information.
· Track fundraising progress and prepare regular reports for the President and CEO, Board of Directors, and appropriate committees.
· Monitor fundraising goals, campaign performance, donor retention, grant submissions, and revenue projections.
· Ensure confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical standards in all fundraising activities.
· Support financial accountability through accurate gift processing, documentation, and reporting.
Leadership Expectations
The Director of Development is expected to be a positive, collaborative, and mission-centered leader who reflects the values of the YMCA.
This individual should:
· Lead with integrity, professionalism, and enthusiasm.
· Build trust with donors, staff, volunteers, members, and community partners.
· Demonstrate strong communication and relationship-building skills.
· Be comfortable asking for charitable support.
· Understand the importance of donor stewardship and long-term relationship development.
· Work collaboratively across all YMCA branches and programs.
· Promote a culture of gratitude, accountability, inclusion, and service.
· Represent the YMCA in a manner that strengthens its reputation and community confidence.
Positive Attributes of the Northwestern Connecticut YMCA
The Northwestern Connecticut YMCA is a unique and deeply valued organization with many strengths, including:
· A long-standing reputation as a trusted community partner.
· Multiple branch locations serving Torrington, Winsted, Canaan, and surrounding towns.
· A strong commitment to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
· Meaningful programs that serve children, families, seniors, teens, and individuals of all abilities.
· CAMP M.O.E., a summer day camp that provides children with safe, memorable, and enriching camp experiences.
· Youth Service Bureaus in Torrington and Winchester that provide critical support, prevention, outreach, and youth-focused services.
· Health and wellness programs that improve quality of life and support healthier communities.
· A commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and financial assistance.
· Dedicated staff, volunteers, board members, and community partners.
· A mission that extends far beyond buildings and fitness centers.
· A strong opportunity for growth, transformation, and expanded community impact.
The Director of Development will help elevate these strengths and ensure that donors, partners, and community members understand the full value and impact of the YMCA.
QualificationsRequired Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, marketing, public relations, or a related field preferred.
· Relevant fundraising, development, nonprofit leadership, sales, community relations, or relationship management experience.
· Strong written and verbal communication skills.
· Ability to build relationships with donors, volunteers, board members, businesses, foundations, and community leaders.
· Demonstrated ability to manage projects, meet deadlines, and work independently.
· Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
· Comfort with public speaking, donor meetings, presentations, and community engagement.
· Commitment to the mission and values of the YMCA.
Preferred Qualifications
· Experience working in a YMCA, nonprofit, community service organization, school, healthcare organization, or mission-driven setting.
· Experience with annual campaigns, major gifts, grant writing, sponsorships, planned giving, or capital campaigns.
· Knowledge of Northwestern Connecticut communities.
· Experience working with boards, committees, volunteers, and community partners.
· Understanding of youth services, health and wellness programs, camp operations, or family support programs.
· Ability to tell compelling stories that inspire charitable giving.
Essential Skills and Abilities
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
· Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
· Strong fundraising instincts and confidence in donor cultivation.
· Ability to communicate the YMCA’s mission with passion and clarity.
· Strategic thinking and attention to detail.
· High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
· Ability to manage multiple priorities across several branches and programs.
· Strong writing skills for appeals, grants, reports, donor letters, and public communications.
· Positive attitude and team-oriented mindset.
· Ability to work some evenings and weekends for meetings, events, and community activities.
· Valid driver’s license and ability to travel between YMCA locations and community meetings as needed.
Core Competencies
· Mission Advancement
· Philanthropy
· Relationship Building
· Communication
· Collaboration
· Community Engagement
· Fiscal Accountability
· Project Management
· Volunteer Development
· Inclusion and Belonging
· Ethical Leadership
· Results Orientation
Performance Expectations
The Director of Development will be evaluated based on performance in areas including:
· Achievement of annual fundraising goals.
· Growth in donor engagement and donor retention.
· Successful grant submissions and reporting.
· Increased sponsorships, partnerships, and philanthropic support.
· Strength and quality of donor stewardship.
· Effectiveness of fundraising events and campaigns.
· Accuracy of donor records and development reports.
· Collaboration with the President and CEO, Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers.
· Positive representation of the YMCA in the community.
· Contribution to a stronger culture of philanthropy across the association.
Work Environment
This position requires regular interaction with staff, volunteers, members, donors, board members, community leaders, and the public. Work will occur at YMCA branches, community events, donor meetings, partner locations, and administrative offices.
The Director of Development must be comfortable working in a dynamic, mission-driven environment that includes traditional YMCA operations, youth services, camp programs, health initiatives, and community partnerships.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plan participation, paid time off, YMCA membership privileges, professional development opportunities, and other benefits as determined by the Northwest Connecticut YMCA.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and professional references to:
Brian M. Ohler, President and CEO, Northwestern Connecticut YMCA
Submissions can be sent via email: [email protected]
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
