Yakima Valley College Foundation
POSITION: Executive Director of the Yakima Valley College Foundation
REPORTS TO: Board of Directors, College Foundation (with a collaborative relationship with the College President)
SALARY RANGE: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 (Salary will be dependent on experience and hours dedicated)
JOB POSTING CLOSE DATE: July 24, 2026
The YVC Foundation plays a vital role in supporting student success at Yakima Valley College by providing transformational financial assistance each year. For nearly 50 years the Foundation has awarded scholarships which provide many deserving students an opportunity to attain a higher education who otherwise would not have access to college.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
This position requires a visionary, relationship-oriented leader who is passionate about higher education and committed to expanding opportunities for students through philanthropy, strategic partnerships, and community engagement. The Executive Director serves to lead the College Foundation, providing strategic leadership in fundraising, donor relations, financial stewardship, and community engagement. The Executive Director is responsible for the daily oversight, administration, and management of all Foundation operations, ensuring the effective execution of the Foundation's mission, strategic priorities, and Board policies. Working closely with the Foundation Board of Directors and the College President, the Executive Director develops and implements comprehensive fundraising and advancement strategies, oversees Foundation finances and administrative operations, manages foundation resources, and ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards. The Executive Director serves as the Foundation's primary ambassador, cultivating relationships with donors, alumni, community partners, businesses, and governmental agencies to secure philanthropic support that advances the college's mission, enhances student success, and strengthens the Foundation.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership and Strategic Planning
- Develop and implement the Foundation's strategic plan aligned with the college's mission and priorities.
- Advise the Foundation Board on fundraising strategies, governance, and organizational effectiveness.
- Foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the college and community.
- Provide leadership in identifying opportunities to expand philanthropic support.
Fundraising and Resource Development
- Develop and execute an annual comprehensive fundraising plan.
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects and donors.
- Lead capital campaigns planned giving initiatives, annual giving, and corporate and foundation partnerships.
- Identify and pursue grant opportunities from public and private funding sources.
- Build and maintain meaningful relationships with alumni, businesses, foundations, and community leaders.
Board Relations
- Serve as the primary liaison to the Foundation Board of Directors.
- Prepare board meeting agendas, reports, and supporting materials.
- Assist with board recruitment, orientation, and ongoing development.
Scholarships:
- Distribute scholarship applications throughout the YVC Service District, as appropriate, and ensure completed applications are reviewed by Foundation Directors and returned in a timely manner.
- Coordinate, supervise, and implement all scholarship-related activities, including the scholarship award ceremony.
- Ensure scholarship awards comply with donor-established criteria as approved and adopted by the Foundation Board.
- Acknowledge contributions by donors.
- Award scholarships based on available donor funds, established eligibility criteria, and application rankings/ratings as determined by the Foundation Directors.
- Seek donations and pursue grant opportunities to increase funding for scholarships and the Student Success Fund.
Financial Management
- Oversee Foundation financial operations, investments, budgets, and reporting.
- Ensure responsible stewardship of Foundation assets.
- Work with auditors, investment advisors, and financial institutions.
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and applicable regulations.
Foundation Operations
- Develop policies and procedures to strengthen Foundation operations.
- Oversee donor database management and gift processing.
- Ensure accurate donor recognition and stewardship activities.
Community and College Relations
- Represent the Foundation at community events and civic organizations.
- Strengthen partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and educational organizations.
- Collaborate with college leadership to identify funding priorities.
- Promote the Foundation through marketing, communications, and public relations initiatives.
Compliance and Governance
- Ensure compliance with federal and state nonprofit regulations.
- Maintain Foundation records and legal documentation.
- Ensure ethical fundraising practices and donor confidentiality.
- Monitor adherence to Foundation by laws and policies.
Supervisory- may possibly supervise the following:
- Volunteers
- Student Workers
- Temporary Employee/Possible future Administrative Assistants
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution
- Three to five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in fundraising, nonprofit management, higher education advancement, or a related field.
- Strong financial management and budgeting skills.
- Experience working with social media platforms and effective marketing techniques.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Knowledge of financial processing, accounting and reporting techniques.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel as needed.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrated success securing major gifts and leading fundraising initiatives a plus.
- Experience working with boards
- Knowledge of tax laws governing recording and acknowledging of contributions
- Experience using fundraising software.
- Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency
- Experience writing/administering grants
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIROMENT:
- Work is performed primarily in a professional office environment with frequent use of computers, telephones, and other standard office equipment.
- Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and use hands and fingers to operate office equipment.
- Must be able to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through virtual meeting platforms with foundation board members, alumni, faculty, staff, professionals, students and/or family and the public.
- Occasionally required to lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds, such as presentation materials, event supplies, or office equipment.
- Requires some occasional regional or statewide travel to attend meetings, donor visits, conferences, and Foundation or College events.
- Work schedule may include evenings and weekends to support Foundation Board meetings, fundraising activities, community outreach, and special events.
- The position requires the ability to move throughout campus and community venues to attend meetings and events.
- The work environment is generally quiet to moderately busy, with periodic exposure to larger public gatherings and special event settings.
BENEFITS:
- Paid Leave
- Paid Holidays
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Basic Life and long-term disability insurance options
- Retirement and Deferred Compensation
TO APPLY:
Email, Cover Letter and Resume to- [email protected]
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all functions and skills, knowledge and abilities required of the employee.
Job Duties and requirements may be subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Requirements are representative of the minimum levels of education, experience and skills required to perform the functions of this job. The job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment The Yakima Valley College Foundation reserves the right to change the job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
Candidates will be subject to a Criminal History Background Check and Credit Check as a condition for consideration of employment.
- In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
