Director of Mission Advancement

The Director of Mission Advancement leads the YMCA of Pueblo's philanthropic strategy, annual campaign, sponsorship development, donor stewardship, and community engagement efforts. This position is responsible for growing charitable support through annual giving, major gifts, grants, sponsorships, special events, and community partnerships that advance the YMCA's mission and strategic priorities.

Working closely with the CEO, COO, leadership team, board volunteers, and community stakeholders, the Director develops and executes comprehensive fundraising strategies that increase donor engagement, financial sustainability, and community impact. The position serves as a key storyteller and ambassador for the YMCA, connecting donors, businesses, foundations, and community leaders to opportunities that strengthen youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility throughout Pueblo County.

This job announcement is not intended to be inclusive of all functions, responsibilities and qualifications associated with the position, however, representative of the essential job functions and typical criteria considered necessary to successfully perform the position.

Fundraising & Philanthropic Development

• Direct and coordinate the YMCA's Annual Campaign, ensuring achievement of annual fundraising goals through strategic planning, volunteer engagement, donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Work closely with branch and department leaders to plan, coordinate, and successfully execute annual fundraising campaigns and mission-based giving initiatives.
• Develop and implement annual giving strategies that increase donor acquisition, retention, upgrading, and overall philanthropic support.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects, sponsors, foundations, and community partners.
• Establish and maintain a robust donor pipeline utilizing moves management and relationship-based fundraising practices.
• Develop sponsorship opportunities and secure corporate partnerships that support YMCA programs, events, and strategic initiatives.
• Manage donor recognition and stewardship programs to ensure donors understand the impact of their contributions and remain engaged with the mission.
• Track fundraising performance and provide regular reports, dashboards, and analysis on campaign progress, donor activity, sponsorship revenue, and fundraising outcomes.

Donor Relations & Community Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, foundations, businesses, civic organizations, and community leaders.
• Serve as a primary ambassador for the YMCA within the community, representing the organization at events, meetings, and speaking engagements.
• Identify community needs that align with the YMCA's mission and collaborate with leadership to develop funding opportunities that address those needs.
• Identify compelling stories of impact and work with program leaders to leverage those stories for donor engagement, community awareness, and fundraising efforts.
• Develop effective relationships with service organizations, chambers, foundations, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and other community partners.

Marketing, Communications & Storytelling

• Collaborate with marketing staff to develop fundraising materials, annual campaign messaging, sponsorship packages, donor communications, impact reports, and promotional content.
• Ensure consistent communication of the YMCA's mission, case for support, strategic priorities, and community impact.
• Collect and leverage participant testimonials, success stories, photography, and video content to strengthen fundraising and community engagement efforts.
• Oversee fundraising-related messaging to ensure alignment with YMCA brand standards and organizational priorities.

Volunteer & Staff Engagement

• Recruit, train, support, and recognize Annual Campaign volunteers and fundraising committee members.
• Educate YMCA staff and volunteers on their role in advancing philanthropy and supporting fundraising initiatives.
• Partner with executive and department leaders to create a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
• Support board members and volunteers in donor cultivation and solicitation activities.

Data Management & Accountability

• Ensure accurate donor records, gift processing, pledge tracking, acknowledgment procedures, and fundraising reporting.
• Maintain the integrity of donor and fundraising databases and utilize data analytics to guide fundraising strategies.
• Develop and implement fundraising policies, procedures, and best practices in collaboration with leadership and board committees.
• Monitor fundraising metrics and key performance indicators to evaluate effectiveness and identify growth opportunities.

Special Events & Revenue Generation

• Lead fundraising strategy and revenue generation efforts for signature events, including Corporate Cup, Turkey Trot, Father Daughter Dance, Annual Meeting, and other mission-focused initiatives.
• Develop event sponsorship packages and cultivate corporate partners to increase event revenue and community visibility.
• Evaluate event performance and implement strategies to maximize both financial return and mission impact.

NOTE: This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions. It does
not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, with a minimum of 3-5 years of successful program development experience that includes managing staff with a preferred background in the health and wellness field.
• Should have a positive history of leadership in the areas of staff, volunteer and program development, fiscal budgeting and management, and operational procedures.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Knowledge and experience in leading organizational change.
• CPR, AED, Oxygen and First Aid Certification (within 90 days of hire).
• YMCA or nationally recognized group exercise instructor and/or personal training
  certification preferred.

• Free YMCA Staff Membership
• Program discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous retirement benefits - 12% after eligibility is met
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days, and Holidays
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Life Insurance 
• Career development and training opportunities

OUR CULTURE:
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. 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.