Director of Development in Rockport, Maine at Penobscot Bay YMCA

Join Us in Building a Stronger, Healthier Future for Our Community

The Penobscot Bay YMCA is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and mission-driven Director of Development to lead our fundraising and advancement efforts — helping us strengthen the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

As a key member of our executive team, the Director of Development will lead all fundraising and philanthropic efforts, including major gifts, annual campaigns, grant funding, corporate sponsorships, and donor stewardship. . You'll work alongside our CEO, Board of Directors, and community partners to strengthen and grow our fundraising efforts, building on successful campaigns, events, and donor relationships while developing new opportunities for support and community impact.

What You'll Do:

• Lead and execute a comprehensive development strategy that advances our mission, strengthens existing fundraising efforts, and supports the Y's long-term financial sustainability.
• Cultivate, steward, and expand relationships with major donors, foundations, corporate partners, and community supporters.
• Build upon successful fundraising campaigns, special events, and donor engagement initiatives while identifying new opportunities for philanthropic support and community impact.
• Collaborate with staff to create compelling marketing and communications that inspire giving, increase awareness, and connect people to our cause.
• Serve as a community ambassador—strengthening partnerships, elevating the YMCA's visibility, and positioning the Penobscot Bay YMCA as a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

What We're Looking For:

• 5+ years of proven success in fundraising, donor development, and philanthropic relationship management.
• Exceptional relationship-building, strategic planning, and communication skills, with the ability to engage donors, volunteers, board members, and community partners.
• Experience leading major gift fundraising, grant writing, sponsorship development, annual campaigns, and donor stewardship initiatives.
• A passion for mission-driven work and the ability to inspire generosity through meaningful relationships and community impact.
• Strong project management skills, data fluency, and the ability to balance ongoing fundraising efforts while identifying new opportunities for growth and support.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with a willingness to contribute at both strategic and hands-on levels.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive Salary – $70,000–$100,000 annually, depending on experience and demonstrated fundraising success.
• Comprehensive Benefits – Health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, generous PTO, and paid holidays.
• Retirement Security – Access to the YMCA Retirement Fund, including potential eligibility for a 10% YMCA contribution after two years.
• Family Membership Included – Enjoy a complimentary family membership and access to the programs, facilities, and wellness opportunities our Y provides.
• Community Impact – Help secure the resources that make life-changing programs possible for children, families, seniors, and individuals throughout our community.
• Leadership Opportunity – Join a collaborative leadership team and play a key role in shaping the future growth, sustainability, and impact of the Penobscot Bay YMCA.
• A Role That Makes a Difference – As a member of our leadership team, you'll help build upon a strong foundation of community support while shaping the future growth, sustainability, and impact of the Penobscot Bay YMCA for generations to come.

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement a comprehensive annual advancement strategy to support the fiscal health, growth, and long-term sustainability of the Y, including but not limited to major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, capital campaigns, annual giving, special events, public relations, marketing, and communications. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these efforts and adjust plans as needed to support organizational goals.
• Manage fundraising campaigns and appeals
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors and prospective supporters
• Develop and expand corporate sponsorship opportunities
• Research, write, and submit grant proposals and reports to grant-making entities
• Create and implement marketing campaigns and strategies that strengthen connections with current and future donors, members, and community supporters
• Build upon successful fundraising campaigns, special events, sponsorships, and donor engagement initiatives while identifying new opportunities for philanthropic support and community impact.
• Develop and grow corporate sponsorship opportunities that strengthen community partnerships and support YMCA programs and services.
• Research, write, and submit grant proposals and reports to grant-making entities.
• Create and implement marketing campaigns and strategies that strengthen connections with current and prospective donors, members, and community supporters.
• Work closely with Program Directors to increase awareness of and build community support for the Y by creating compelling campaigns, communications, and marketing materials that effectively communicate our mission, programs, and case for support.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Board of Directors, staff, consultants, and volunteers, developing strategies and setting clear priorities to achieve fundraising and organizational goals. Foster volunteer engagement and participation at all levels of financial development.
• Track, monitor, and analyze fundraising, donor engagement, marketing, and community outreach efforts to measure effectiveness and inform future strategies.
• Collect, organize, and maintain accurate donor records and fundraising data, ensuring timely reporting and effective stewardship of donor relationships.
• Manage and analyze CRM, fundraising, and social media engagement data to strengthen communications, improve outreach, and increase engagement.
• Establish tracking tools, performance metrics, and reporting processes, providing regular updates to staff, leadership, and the Board of Directors.
• Create effective, sustainable, organization-wide collaborations and build a positive team culture while working closely with members of the leadership team.
• Represent the Y throughout the community, building strong relationships with companies, foundations, schools, civic organizations, and individuals while positioning the Penobscot Bay YMCA as a charity of choice for philanthropic investment and community support.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO in support of the mission and success of the Penobscot Bay YMCA.

Qualifications

• Exceptional analytical, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build rapport and credibility as a community leader and engage effectively with donors, board members, staff, and volunteers.
• Polished written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to make presentations, write compelling press releases, case statements, grants, etc., and handle media inquiries.
• Proven leader in strategic planning and implementation. Strong project management skills, analytical skills, creativity, and resourcefulness in approaches to increase the Y brand awareness and appreciation.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred. Minimum of 5 years of professional fundraising experience and a demonstrated track record of success with major donors.
• Must be confident, high energy, and passionate for mission-driven non-profit work with a commitment to the mission and values of the Penobscot Bay YMCA.
• Proven entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to work in a highly flexible, fast-paced work environment. Must be results-oriented, organized, detail-oriented, adaptable, able to handle several tasks simultaneously, meet deadlines, and make decisions.
• Strong leadership and management skills to motivate and mentor a team. Team player who is willing to do both high-level and administrative work as needed. YMCA Organizational Leader certification, preferred (we will train the right candidate)
• Proficiency in fundraising and CRM data collection, analysis and reporting tools. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Suite applications, including Excel/Sheets, required.
• Understands the YMCA is a public accommodation committed to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• This position requires regular use of a computer for extended periods of time
• The employee must be able to communicate using a computer, phone, and a smart mobile device;
• The employee is frequently required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, and adjusting visual focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.